Interesting dilemna, which would you choose? I'm planning a trip to Greece from September 4 to September 25. I'm debating whether I should fly United Airlines from San Francisco to Milan on standby, round trip $350.00, with the possibility (if seats are available) of upgrading to business class. I would need to reserve a connecting flight via another airline to get to Athens, which will cost about 300.00 to 400.00 more. I would be the lowest priority for getting on the plane, and I would need to spend the night in Milan, so that if I don't make Wednesday's flight I can shoot for Thursday's and hopefully make the connection to Athens. Or should I simply book a discount fare from San Francisco to Athens for about $950.00 with taxes in economy class and avoid all the what ifs? <BR>I would be leaving on the Wednesday after the three day Labor Day weekend, wouldn't most people travelling to Europe leave the week before? I would also be leaving the week before the anniversary of 9/11. I can't help but think it's not going to be a busy travel time, and that the flight would not be sold out. Should I take the chance in order to possibly fly business class? I could also travel to Frankfurt, C.D.G. etc, if it was less likely that those flights would book up... What do you think?

It would take more courage than I have to roll the dice on a standby basis to make a connecting flight on another airline. Do you have some kind of an edge to pick up the biz class standby that would make it less dicey than it looks from here? <BR><BR>Here's a site I use to eyeball availability by class of various flights:<BR><BR>http://flyaow.com/classavailability.htm<BR><BR>From what I know so far, I think I would take the reserved economy -- solely because the downside is such bad outcome if it doesn't work out.

A flight attendant friend gave me some companion travel tickets for United Airlines. I have no edge, and might actually have a lack of it! (Definitely low woman on the totem pole when it comes to getting a seat on the plane.) If business class seats were unavailable I could still fly economy, but if economy is booked I'm out of luck. It's just that the possibility of flying roundtrip to Europe business class for 350.00 has me dreaming, and I can't help but think travel is going to be very slow at the time I'm planning on leaving.

forget going on stand by. purchase the ticket !!!! it will be worth your peace of mind. i used to travel on stand by to europe, but i finally had to quit doing that. the straw that broke my back was when i could not return from paris to the usa for 4 days. making that daily trip to the airport, etc etc, getting bumped off, collecting luggage again, was exasperating. finally had to purchase<BR>my own ticket. and get this. when i got to o'hare, i kept getting bumped off until i got on the 11 pm flight. mind you,this does not happen all the time, but you do not want it to happen at all. best of luck.

So, am I the only one who would be tempted by the possibilities?

The last overseas flight I took was packed, and it was off season (FEBRUARY!!). If you're not priority to upgrade these days, you have little chance. To me, your option is not at all attractive...plus, you could easily eat up all your savings if you miss the connecting flight. JMHO...

Sure, I would be tempted. But not under the circumstances you describe. <BR><BR>I would only be tempted if the standby flight originated in my home town (which no international flights do, except to Mexico) and if I were not bound by schedule -- for example if I were retired and/or unemployed and had nothing else to do with my time. <BR><BR>When I have vacation time, it is too precious and too limited to waste most of it waiting for a flight. (I get only 19 total days comprehensive leave per year which has to cover both vacation and sick leave. Since I have elderly parents, I also have to keep a contingency "bank" in case I have to take care of them.) I always have confirmed reservations. I might be willing to take a "bump" for adequate compensation if I would arrive no more than one day late, but it has to be pretty good for me to consider it. Standby is too iffy and could eat up too many days to take a chance. Not to mention, your $300-400 fare to Athens could increase considerably, depending on the ticket restrictions. Remember that if you miss that flight, since it would be on another airline, they won't care why you missed it so you will have no guarantees about when you'll get to Athens once you finally make it to Milan.<BR><BR>So, you might not be the only one tempted but perhaps your vacation time is not all that valuable to you.

I haven't been on a flight to Europe in ages that wasn't completely full from May-September. I imagine flights to Greece in September are very popular, as it is better than the heat of summer, and some fares drop right after Labor Day so people wait until then. I don't know for sure about that time and destination, though, I'm just speculating. I wouldn't do it because I don't have any time to waste as I don't get much vacation time, either, even an extra day is a lot to me in opportunity costs, but it doesn't sound to me like that is going to save you much money if you have to pay for a hotel room in Milan. It is a good deal for business class, I agree.

I would only do the standby thing if I wasn't connecting. You will be purchasing a confirmed seat to athens. So If you don't get on, you will have to pay the change fee on your athens ticket. Bit risky I would say.

I was very surprised to see this pop back up! I have already gone ahead and purchased my tickets, $908.00 w/all taxes RT from San Francisco. I'm very excited, although I'm suspect it is going to be a long and difficult walk down the airplane aisle through business into the dregs of economy. The end destination will definitely make up for it, though!