s!

I got a inexpensive international ticket from a friend who works for US Airways using their "buddy" pass system. Has anyon flown using these. Any hints for good seats or the use of "Space Available" upgrades.

Monica

My husband works for USAirways and my friend and I went to Paris last month flying stand-by. I only pay for the taxes while my friend paid for the buddy pass. For an upgrade, your USAirways friend can get you the upgrade ticket for business class ($100 each way). You then list yourself in business class and if seats are available the day you fly, you can move up to business class. I believe First class is $150 each way. We were unable to get into the business class last month, as business class was booked. We also tried when coming home, but no luck. One reason I purchase the upgrade (money is refunded if not used) is that if economy class is booked and there are seats available in business and I’m listed on business, I get on board. However, if I travel without the upgrade, I cannot purchase the upgrade at the counter the day I travel. You have to have the upgrade in advance. Hope this helps.

s!

Monica:

Thanks for the information. I have a few other questions.

What kind of planes did you go to and from Paris on last month? I will be flying on the new Airbus plane with 36 seats in Envoy and six seats in 1st. Only about 12 of the seats are sold and all of the envoy class seats available for "regular revenue generating upgrades" are taken. The flight is in a couple of weeks. The current price for Envoy class is over $6,000. What do you think my upgrade odds are?

Do you know how early you can get to the airport to get on the stand-by list? We want to be 1st in line.

I have Envoy class upgrades. Should I spring for the extra money now for 1st class...just in case Envoy class is full and first class isn't?

Thanks again.
s!

Monica

Yes, we flew on the Airbus 330, which is what you’ll be flying on. You are required to check in 2 hours prior to the flight. Call USAirways about 5 days before flying and place yourself on the envoy stand-by list. Being 1st in line does not help. When you arrive, along with all the other passengers, go to the main check in. Take carry-on luggage if possible. If you check your luggage, but don’t make it on board, they will not load your luggage on the plane. Then head to the gate and check in at the counter. The agent will take your tickets (and upgrade voucher). Stand-by is by seniority, so they’ll go through all of the stand-by tickets and place them in order of seniority – date of hire of the employee. So, I fly based on my husband’s seniority against the other stand-by employee passengers. If there’s another pilot flying, but was hired after Tony, then I go before him/her. However I am not sure if buddy pass fliers have the same seniority privileges as the USAirways employee or spouse. A buddy pass flier may be at the bottom of the list. Judy and I were just happy to get on board.

If you wanted to you could purchase the 1st class upgrade, but to me it’s not worth it. I normally travel to Europe in the Spring and cannot fly standby. Therefore, I have to purchase “regular” tickets. Since I knew that flying to Paris in October would be easy (not necessarily on envoy class) it was my opportunity to fly for “free” or $29.00. I only wanted to fly envoy on the way over to get a good nights sleep, so I bought the $100 upgrade (will get my money back since I couldn’t use it). I didn’t want to pay another $50 for 1st class. Also, since there are only 6 seats, that’s even less of a chance to get it. It won’t hurt to get the 1st class upgrade, but what did you pay for your buddy pass? Paying and extra $150 (if you are lucky to get 1st class) may add up to a regular coach fare price, depending on when you travel. There are some great prices now for the winter. Although I was disappointed in not being able to fly envoy class, it was great to pay only $29.

s!

Monica:
Thanks for the wealth of information (especially the carry-on reminder). We paid about 50% of the discounted fare for our tickets. A very good deal. Not as good as $29...but pretty good.

I was just wondering if I bought the 1st class upgrades and envoy was full...but 1st wasn't we would still fly in comfort. If I do that and 1st is full...but Envoy isn't...will they put us in Envoy?

I am also concerned because coach is over sold. Do you know if that is common practice?

Is it a good sign (for us) that the plane is sold out of the spaces for the regular upgrades. I cracks me up that full fare first class is over $9,000 and Envoy is $6,000+. We flew in coach to Europe last year and were just so happy to get there that the space in Coach didn't make a difference. I imagine it won't this time. I really need a vacation!

How did you like the Airbus 330? Those individual video screens look pretty snazzy.

Also, I am a silver level frequent flier. Any special consideration for that?

Thanks again for all of your help!

FYI: My friend hasn't worked for the airlines for very long...so I would imagine that we would be near the bottom of the senority list any way.

s!

Monica

50%??? Normally a buddy pass is an “ID90”, or 90% off the Y rate. You’d have to know the current Y rate. Your second paragraph is a little confusing. You can buy both upgrades and list yourself on 1st class. If that’s not available, then they’ll put you in enjoy, IF that’s available; if not, then coach. It doesn’t hurt to buy the upgrades because you can get your money back if they are not used. Just don’t loose those vouchers!!!

Airlines oversell their flights everyday because many people who “book” a flight don’t actually buy the tickets. If I remember correctly, they’ll sell 37 seats for the 36 available in envoy and say, 230 seats for 220 seats in coach (that’s not an accurate number, but gives you the idea).

You stated you are traveling in 2 weeks, so you won’t have any problem getting on board, it just may be coach.

I did like the Airbus 330. The seats were a little roomier than those on the new Air France 777. However, my in-laws flew on another airline airbus 330 and felt it was tight. I was comfortable in coach. Food on USAirways is okay. Yes, the seatbacks do have the small screens. Lots to choose from with movies, music, tv, etc.

I don’t think you can use your silver level frequent flier with your buddy pass.

Just be happy that you are on board, envoy or not!

s!

Monica:

I am sure you are correct about the rate. I don't really know what the Y rate for that flight is. I only seems to notice the cheapie internet e-saver rates.

If 1st class is full and I have a 1st class level upgrade will they put me Envoy and refund the difference? Or do I have to have a class specific upgrade?

Thanks for the advice.
s!

Monica

If you purchase both the 1st class and Envoy upgrades, then list yourself on both. If you can't get 1st and Envoy is available, they'll put you in Envoy and you can just return the 1st class voucher for a refund. I believe that you'll have 2 separate vouchers.

s!

Thanks Monica!

Monica

Glad to help. I'd be interested in hearing how you do.

s!

Monica: Well the trip was fun. The travel was...interesting. My husband and I really didn't like the anxiety of stand-by. It would have been a better route to just pay about $50 more for a e-saver fare and have a secured seat. We got on both planes. Getting on the plane for the trip to London was an adventure. The agent called us up and said there was space in Envoy. Then she told us there was a dress code. We were dressed neatly...but my husband had on tennis shoes. Brand new tennis shoes...but tennis shoes. They told us there was a dress code. News to us. We were scolded because they said our friend who gave us the tickets should have told us. My husband of course had "correct" shoes in his luggage. The agent at the check-in counter told us there was plent of room on the plane, looked at my husband and said he was dressed fine...so we checked our luggage as stand-by travelers. We would get it back if the plane filled up. (Our friend says he has a memo saying US Air repealed this dress code. He felt terrible.) I found it so insulting to US Air employees that a "Paying customer" can wear a potato sack and flip flops..but a "non-rev" needs a tuxedo. I personally didn't like the nasty way everyone kept saying "non-rev". I think I would mind so much if my ticket was only $29 like yours. We rode in Envoy to London after paying extra. We had coach seats on the way back. I like the Airbus 330. The Sony screens made the trip a lot more bearable. Thanks for your help.