Flying standby is one of the best perks of working for an airline, and one of the riskiest ways to get to a cruise. The ship leaves on time whether or not you made the flight. With a little planning, though, airline employees and retirees cruise on non-rev travel all the time. Here is how our advisors help interline travelers plan around standby flights.
1. Fly in at least a day early
- One day early is the minimum for any cruise you are flying to on standby.
- Two days early is safer for long flights, international ports, holiday weeks and summer weekends, when flights fill up.
- Arriving early gives you a second, or third, chance if you are bumped from the first flight. It also takes the stress out of embarkation day.
2. Choose a port with lots of flights
The more daily flights into a port city, and the more airlines that fly there, the better your chances. Big gateways such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando for Port Canaveral, Seattle, Los Angeles and Houston for Galveston usually have many options each day. Smaller ports with only a few flights are better on a confirmed ticket. If you live in the Bay Area, a cruise from San Francisco avoids the question completely.
3. Check loads before you book the cruise
- Look at typical loads for the days you would fly, before you commit to a sailing.
- Sunday and holiday travel days can be busy, because so many cruises start and end on weekends.
- If loads look tight, consider a sailing that starts midweek, or a different departure port.
4. Have a backup plan
- Know your other routes. Note connecting options and other airlines you can list on.
- Know when to buy a ticket. Decide in advance at what point you will buy a confirmed seat instead of waiting for the next flight.
- Consider driving. Some ports, such as Los Angeles, Long Beach or San Diego from the Bay Area, are within driving distance if flights look full.
5. Book a hotel you can cancel
A hotel the night before is part of the plan, not an extra. Choose one with free cancellation, close to the port or the airport, so you can change it if you arrive a day later than planned. Some cruise lines and hotels also offer pre-cruise packages with transfers to the pier.
6. Read the travel insurance carefully
Travel insurance can help if you miss the ship, but standby travel is treated differently from a confirmed ticket, and some policies limit or exclude coverage for missed connections on non-rev flights. Read the policy, or ask us to help you compare options. See our page on travel protection.
7. Pack for standby
- Travel with carry-on bags if you can, so your luggage stays with you if you change flights.
- Keep your passport, cruise documents, airline ID, medicines and a change of clothes in your carry-on.
- Dress for the flight you get, not the flight you planned: layers work for both a cold cabin and a warm port.
8. Plan the trip home, too
Ships return early in the morning, and disembarkation usually wraps up before midday. Aim for midday or afternoon flights to allow for customs and luggage, and have a second option in case the first flight is full. If you must be back at work the next day, consider a confirmed ticket home or a sailing that ends a day before you need to be back.
9. Bring proof of eligibility
If you booked an interline fare, the cruise line needs proof that you qualify, usually before sailing. Keep a copy of your airline or retiree ID with you, as some cruise lines may also ask to see it at check-in. See interline eligibility by cruise line.
Airline employee or retiree? Request interline access, read about interline cruises for Bay Area airline crew, or call 1-800-988-6444.
