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American Airlines has finally reversed its restrictive same-day standby policy, which it had just implemented last year. The new changes bring back same-day standby for all travelers and are a big win for travelers who were unhappy with the introduction of this policy back in 2024.
Here’s what you need to know about how same-day standby now works, who’s eligible, and how savvy flyers can even use it to save money on flights.
American Airlines' Previous Same-Day Standby Restriction
Prior to the new rules coming into effect, the list of passengers eligible for same-day standby was limited to the following:
- First-class travelers
- Business-class travelers
- AAdvantage elites
- Oneworld elites
- Passengers travelling on military orders
- Travelers in an unrestricted economy fare bucket
That restricted travelers from same-day standby privileges if they didn't have an AAdvantage account attached to the ticket or bought a discounted ticket.
How to Use This Feature To Save Money
You can use this feature to save some money by booking a later, cheaper flight, then going on the standby list for an earlier, more expensive flight. If it clears, you will be able to travel without incurring any additional costs.
Take, for instance, a short hop from Huntsville (HSV) to Charlotte (CLT) in August 2025. You can book the 7:14 pm flight for $363, then add yourself to the standby list for the 4:59 pm flight, which would have cost $454.
If your standby clears, you will be on the earlier flight and will end up saving $91. While that is not a huge amount, it is still very close to 25% of the ticket price, which is nothing to be dismissed. Obviously, you can only make this work if you are relatively flexible with your travel plans and can make rapid changes.
How to Get on the AAdvantage Standby List
Thankfully, adding your name to the standby list is a simple and straightforward process. Up to 24 hours before departure, you can do so online using the AA website or its App on both Android and iOS. If you do so, you will receive a new boarding pass without a seat assignment. Your seat will be assigned if your standby is successful.
If you are already at the airport, you can request a standby from the gate agent up to 45 minutes before the flight. This can be very handy if you have a long connection and are only traveling with a carry-on, as you can arrive at your destination much earlier.
Our Take
American Airlines' restoring same-day standby access to all travelers is a smart and traveler-friendly move. Whether you’re looking to fly earlier, skip a long layover, or save a few bucks, this policy offers useful flexibility, especially for those who pack light and can stay nimble.
The process is easy, and there’s no added fee to try. Even if your standby request doesn’t clear, you’ll still hold your original ticket. And if it does work out, you could shave hours off your travel day — or dollars off your total fare.
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