{"id":12709,"date":"2017-03-02T11:38:53","date_gmt":"2017-03-02T16:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=12709"},"modified":"2022-10-27T13:54:42","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T13:54:42","slug":"southwest-improves-complimentary-standby-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-standby-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Improves Complimentary Standby Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the best perks Southwest offers its A-List and A-List Preferred members<\/a> is complimentary standby. The perk, which was introduced six months ago, gave members complimentary free standby access on the same day of travel to other flights. Per the Southwest website:<\/p>\n

\u201cFree same-day standby will be provided for A-List and A-List Preferred Members traveling within two hours prior to their original flight departure time, between the same city pairs, on the original date of travel, where space is available.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Southwest<\/p>\n

The policy, which allowed passengers free changes within two hours of their scheduled departure time, was perfect for business executives and other travelers who had unforeseen delays or a change in circumstances and needed to change their flight.<\/p>\n

Two Hours is Not Enough<\/span><\/h2>\n

The drawback of the policy is\u00a0its 2-hour limit. Imposing this limit severely restricts the number of Southwest flights the policy can be used for. In fact, a rudimentary analysis of any day of Southwest schedule shows that only about 25% of flights have an alternative standby option using the two-hour rule.<\/p>\n

Although the company has yet to make an official announcement, the rumor on the grapevine is that the company will be scrapping this arbitrary 2-hour limit as of March 8, 2017. The new policy will make the free standby option available for the entire day of travel, not just restricted to a 2-hour window. This will bring more of Southwest flights into the free standby window, not just 25%.<\/p>\n

Overall<\/span><\/h2>\n

This change is great news for Southwest members, in a world where more often than not changes to airline loyalty programs mean devaluation and the loss of benefits and perks. So, any change that enhances a benefit is a welcome thing. Also, the new policy will not only bring Southwest in line with other US carriers but the no fees for the standby beats many other US carriers.<\/p>\n

Source: Seth Miller\/Wandering Aramean<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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