Imagine showing up at an airport without a ticket, being able to purchase a discounted ticket to your chosen destination, and flying there that same day. With evolving security needs, the definition of flying standby has changed, but clever travelers know that there are still some travel hacks that may enable you to make same-day changes to your flight plans. Extra fees may be involved, depending on your airline’s policies, but the cost may be worth it in a pinch.

Today, flying standby means getting on an earlier flight departing on the same calendar day as the one for which you have already purchased a ticket, which may be a savvy option in some situations. CLEAR+ Members, who are experts in how to get through airport security faster, also receive discounts on luggage storage, which can help if the plan to fly standby falls through. Keep reading to learn more about flying standby and how Members can save time and make travel even more friction-free.

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What Is Flying Standby?

Flying standby refers to the practice of showing up early at the airport on your scheduled flight day in an attempt to make a change to your already purchased flight ticket. It's a last-chance opportunity to get on an alternate flight, with the same airline you originally purchased with, if there are any open seats left after all confirmed passengers have boarded. Those who live close enough to an airport may not mind making an early trip there, prior to their scheduled flight, to try to get on standby.

Airline frequent-flyer and loyalty programs have become popular among travelers. Some of these programs offer frequent flyer benefits related to standby flights, such as free standby options and priority boarding for standby seats. Same-day confirmed seat changes may be available, allowing you to change to another flight on that same day for a fee. Same-day standby seat changes, meanwhile, let you try to get a seat on a different flight on the same day if no confirmed seats are available.

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How Does Flying Standby Work?

Check with your airline’s policies regarding flying standby. Every airline has its own rules for when you may make same-day changes, which may be from 24-hours to just a few hours before your scheduled departure time. Some airlines will allow you to register online or by phone to get on a standby list for confirmed same-day changes. Others may require you to show up at the airport and speak with an agent.

If you want to fly standby, make sure to arrive at the airport as early as possible to get on the list (or follow your airline’s policies regarding registering by phone or online). It might be easier to fly standby if your airport is in a major city that offers frequent flights to other major cities. For example, if Airline ABC routinely offers multiple flights from Philadelphia to Boston each day, you have a better chance of getting a standby seat than if that airline just runs one or two flights to your destination.

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Where Can I Put My Luggage If I Have to Wait for a Later Flight?

Standby flight plans might not work out, leaving you with luggage to haul around until your originally scheduled flight later that day. Secure, convenient luggage storage services allow you to stow your luggage until your flight, leaving you baggage-free to do as you please until boarding time.

CLEAR+ Members already enjoy fast airport screening. Members can also receive a 10% discount on Bounce, a convenient luggage storage service. Bounce provides secure luggage storage near CLEAR airport locations, from a few hours up to 24-hours before your scheduled flight. If you would prefer to ship your luggage ahead, you might opt to use Ship&Play, a luggage shipping service. CLEAR+ Members get 50% off their first round-trip shipment with Ship&Play.

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Can I Receive Flight Price Alerts for Later Flights?

Even if flying standby doesn’t work for you this time, you can use flight price alert services to find good deals for your next flight, at which time you might want to try flying standby again. Going is a flight deal service that provides real-time flight tracking, allowing you to set flight price alerts that will automatically notify you when flights from your preferred airport to your chosen destination drop in price.

CLEAR+ Members receive discounts on Going’s Premium and Elite membership packages, allowing them to save money on flights to over 900 worldwide destinations. After getting the deal from Going, you could attempt to fly standby on your next flight. But remember—the ability to fly standby is never guaranteed.

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Take a Chance on Flying Standby

Reaching your destination earlier in the day, or getting home earlier than originally planned, can make your getaway—and your life—much easier. Although flying standby is never a sure thing, it may be an option under certain conditions. As a CLEAR+ Member, you can take advantage of services that make attempting a standby flight easier, even if it doesn't work out.