Have you ever considered using a buddy pass?

Buddy pass travel is a perk that airline employees can share with those they choose. Almost every employee who works for an airline gets several buddy passes each year, it’s one of the perks of working for an airline (click here for 5 tips on using buddy passes) . Buddy passes (or pass riders) are standby tickets that can be used by family and friends in order to travel at a very reduced rate. You can’t buy a buddy pass from an airline, you can only get them from an airline employee. Buddy passes are not supposed to be sold for profit, you are only supposed to pay the taxes on the flight you want to take and nothing more.

For instance, if the taxes on a buddy pass are $150.00, that is all you should pay. You shouldn’t be asked to give the employee anything more, but there are many employees that do expect to be given cash in order for you to use their pass.  People have misconceptions about flying with a buddy pass, and the 5 listed below are the ones I hear most often.

  1. You have a guaranteed seat

I have seen the look of surprise on people’s faces when they don’t get on the flight they thought they were going to get on.

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A buddy pass does not guarantee that you will get on the flight. It is only a guarantee that if there is enough open space, you will be able to fly. When you fly on a buddy pass you are at the bottom of the priority list unless you are traveling with the employee who gave you the pass, then you get to fly with their priority.

2. You can wear whatever you want 

No. There are dress codes for every airline when it comes to pass riders (buddy passes/companion passes) so please make sure you know the standards before you try to board. I have been told I couldn’t board a flight if I didn’t change my clothing because I didn’t adhere to the standards of the airline. It wasn’t a big deal, I simply went into my carry-on bag (which had my packing cubes, of course) and got an appropriate outfit. Contrary to popular belief, the standards are set in place and must be followed. If not, you can be denied boarding. It is better to know and follow the rules than not know them and not be able to fly.

3. Buddy passes are great when you are planning a trip in advance

No. This is not true at all. Buddy passes are great for last minute trips because there is a substantial difference between buying a last minute ticket and buying a buddy pass. For instance, if someone lets you have a buddy pass, you only pay for the taxes. The taxes are the same if you buy the pass a year in advance or an hour in advance. So if you want to go to Europe at the last minute, your taxes can be around $500 (of course taxes will vary from airline to airline) but that price is the same whether you decide to pay for your buddy pass a couple of days in advance or a hour in advance.

Have you ever priced a last minute trip to Europe? It’s several thousand dollars. Isn’t paying around $500 instead of $5,000 worth standing by? However, if you have exact dates you need to stick to, or you are planning your trip months in advance, you are better off buying a ticket because there is always a chance when you fly standby that you won’t get on the flight you want to be on.

4. You don’t have to abide by the same rules as everyone else when it comes to luggage

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Yes, yes you do. While we do sometimes get perks like not getting charged for an extra bag, or maybe not having to pay for heavy bags, we still have to follow all the rules just like everyone else. A friend of mine told me that one of his family members asked if they could take a piece of checked luggage as a carry-on. Um no. You cannot. We are still under all the rules and regulations of TSA and we can’t carry anything in our bags that isn’t allowed.

5. Flying standby is hard

No it is not. I have flown standby for the past 11 years and I can count on one hand the times I wasn’t able to get on the flight I wanted. Flying standby is pretty easy once you understand how to work the system. Trust me, I am not a morning person and I hardly want to fly in the early hours of the morning, but I am almost always on the earliest flight because that is usually the best for me to get on the plane.

I don’t mind checking flights when I am on vacation and maybe having to leave a day or two earlier than I originally thought because the flight I wanted to go on is getting full. It shouldn’t bother you at all because instead of focusing on the fact that you have to leave early, focus on the fact that had it not been for the buddy pass, you may not have been able to travel to the destination you are in.

I have literally traveled all over the globe with standby status, it isn’t hard. You sometimes have to have a bit more patience but isn’t the reward of traveling at such a reduced rate worth it?

Here is an extra tip for you:

You can fly any time of the day you want to

No you cannot.  I almost always put my buddy pass riders on the earliest flight out because those are usually the flights that have the most open seats. I have had people I have given buddy passes to tell me, “I really want to be on the afternoon flight and not the early morning one. That’s so early!” Well yes, that’s true. But if you want to take advantage of the privilege of using a buddy pass you must do what the airline employee tells you, ok?

It  is always better to fly out on the earliest possible flight when you have a buddy pass.  Early flights are the best chance to fly out because many people oversleep and don’t make it to the airport on time. When you get a buddy pass, you give up the right to choose what time is best for you to fly. You have to fly when you have the best chance to get on the plane.

I told this to one of my girlfriends who was flying to Los Angeles but she didn’t want to get on the flight I told her to so she tried for a later flight. Well, she eventually got to her destination but it literally took her all day. Had she listened to me she could have flown direct and been in her destination in 5 hours. Instead, she had to connect in Philadelphia, have a long layover and she didn’t get into Los Angeles until late that night.

Have you flown standby? Did you have any trouble?

 

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42 COMMENTS

  1. I wanted to add to #4. There may also be additional rules to flying on a buddy pass. For example, there may be a dress code.

    There’s a discrimination case unfolding against a major airline because two men were told they could not fly first class in sweat pants. When they boarded there were 2 others dressed similarly to how they had been. They claim they were told to change because off their race and are now looking for money and an apology. The fact looked over it’s that they were on a buddy pass while the other two men payed full price.

    Which leads me to another point. On a buddy pass you are a guest of the company, a NON REVENUE traveler. The company is treating you special. So don’t cause a huge fuss over inconveniences. You may cause major problems for the person who gave you the pass. Chances are these two men will cause the travel privileges to be revoked from the person who helped them out.

  2. These are great tips! Do you have any advice about flying with a child? I’m using a buddy pass with my 4 year old and I’m a little nervous about waiting in an airport all day with her.

    • The pass will cancle /void when the employee is terminated or resigns, may also be void if employee remains employeed but has his/her flight benefits suspended or revoked for violations. ie; listing false dependants / spouse or domestic partner for free travel, selling
      their companion positions et.

  4. i have used a family members buddy pass for all my major traveling for the pass 6 years, and I’ve had next to no worries, flying out of New York can be a hassle for many people but the like the writer said you have to know how to work the system, dress professionally, book an early flight, and you should have too much worries. only time i actually missed a flight is because i showed up at JFK too late to check a bag. That being said, i know if I’m only trying to go somewhere fairly close and domestic i will just use a travel website, but if i want to travel to Heathrow, paris ect. id much rather take my chances on a buddy pass, it feels good as well if you get bumped to first, you must always act as if you are a guest. be polite, it is a privilege to fly , not a right

  6. Thanks so much for the great info. I was thinking about doing a buddy pass, but read this and realized that I need to buy a ticket to confirm my arrival time. (which still due to weather or something else could not be accurate) Thanks!

  7. Can you cancel your buddy pass. My cousin doesnt let me use mine ever, and If he does let me he charges me 400 to travel to florida. So its pointless, I found out hes using my name so he can make money off of it. Can I call and remove my name?

  9. Thanks for all the great info and advice. One of my daughters (in NC) and her hubby are expecting their first child (due 4/9/15), and want me to fly from AZ to be there for the actual birthing. Because I have no way of knowing when my granddaughter will actually make her debut into the world, or if my daughter might wind up having an unexpected C-section needing me to stay longer while she recuperates, I opted for a buddy pass instead of buying a ticket which should afford me more traveling flexibility. A fellow church member works at a major airline and is giving me a buddy pass for the trip. I’ve never used one and pray everything goes smoothly. Thanks again!

  10. Hi, I am ex-Kf employee, thanks for reminding me my good old days. During those days we used to get 20 buddy tickets per year. I used to enjoy by seeing my friends & relatives flying at such lower fares. Though I was under misconception 2 or 3 airlines has this privilege. Anyway please connect me to someone who can give me buddy pass now for Indian domestic airlines, since I left airline Industry 4 years back. Unfortunately, most of my colleagues have either moved to International airlines or corporate sectors. Please help

  11. Hi there! Great post! Wanted to add that the taxes-only cost applies only to some airlines. My airline also charges a nominal flat fee based on segment length for buddy passes only (not for those traveling directly under my benefits). Love the iteration in flying out early mornings, my husband just made a 6:30 am flight out of Vegas because of a no show; so important to stick with the super early flights, especially in party towns!

  12. With all the limits needing to take a trip non-revenue is by all accounts a test. I was traveling before and the standby rundown has a couple of names with no weather problems. That said, I would even utilize a buddy pass on the off chance that I had one.

  13. I’m engaged and am listed as a companion to a UA employee. Is my child qualified under UA employee family if they’re not adopted by the UA employee?

    • Afraid not! Your child is free if 2 and under and unless your fiance adds your child on his benefits after 2 your child can’t fly without a buddy pass or confirmed seat. Congrats on your engagemen!

  14. Thanks for the tips, very helpful. Do you have any advice on using a buddy pass for flights where a connection is required (ie no direct flight is available)? Do I improve my chances by not having checked luggage? Do I only get added to the wait list of the second flight when I arrive at the connecting destination? Thank you!

  15. I would add to the “you can fly whenever you want” that not only is showing up early in the morning better, but you can save major headaches by being aware of busy travel days and avoiding them altogether. Wednesdays tend to be popular weekdays for flying because prices are often lower, but it could mean that if you’re flying standby on a Wednesday from Tokyo to San Francisco and then on to Houston, you might be stuck in SF for 24 hours because the only flight going between the two cities all day is totally full and none of the connecting routes are any friendlier. And I would imagine the same applies to certain weekend times and most every holiday.

  17. Hi,
    Can you tell me if buddies are allowed to travel in Business class when there is only a Business First cabin available in the flight? Thank you.

  18. My boyfriend works for US/American. I’ve flown standby as the registered companion plenty of times and it’s great! This week I’m flying to Michigan for my grandpas funeral, my sister is using a buddy pass and going with, she will be bringing her 3 month old baby as a lap child- any advice on what to do? I can’t find anywhere online if she needs anything ahead of time or if we just bring her and don’t need any paperwork. Leaving Thursday!

    • Sorry just seeing this! All she needs is her baby and all the things she is bringing with her to make the baby comfortable.

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  20. Hey! I really loved this post! Does anyone know where I could get a buddy pass? I need to get to Hawaii from Michigan July 7th-12th

  21. Hi. I have a buddy pass from Atlanta to Madrid and all of the flights have stops. I would like to know how that works as far as me waiting and my luggage.

      • For example If my flight stops in Chicago and then goes to Madrid am I guaranteed a spot on both flights or will I have to wait

        • If you are flying buddy pass you do not have a guaranteed seat, which is why I always recommend people to only take a carryon bag. You only get on the flight if there is an empty seat. Your bags will be checked to your final destination.

  23. Thanks for re-sharing this post as there was a lot I didn’t know about the buddy pass. I tried it once many years ago and couldn’t get on the plane at JFK in NY so I went home (didn’t live too far) and came back the next day: I was able to fly out at that time. I didn’t enjoy the experience but once I retire, I will do it again ✈️✈️

  25. Good post. I recently attempted to fly with a buddy pass (first time ever). It was horrible!

    I got their early. I am able to board a plane, however due to a full flight I’m asked to check my carryon. I did not worry, because I am on the flight and the gate has closed.

    Well a flight attendant, decided to get out of her jump seat and take the seat I was in. I get rushed off the plane 2 minutes before and my bag with my keys and passport are taken to the destination. In the rush (flight attendants rushing me) my shoe bag was left in the overhead and I had to file a lost and found claim for a $300 pair of shoes (fingers crossed, after the stories I’ve read about missing items in airports).

    The gate staff were shocked and confused I did not get my seat, however by the time they realize what’s going on it was too late and subsequently I was bumped to the bottom of every list (6) at LAX.

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