Same Day Standby fees by airline
Updated: 2026-02-15Verdict: This fee category is where airlines tend to monetize confusion. Don’t trust the base fare — price the trip as base + likely add-ons.
Pro-Tip: Use airline-specific pages to verify what applies to your fare class and route before purchase.
Loophole: If you fly the same airline repeatedly, co-brand cards and status benefits are the most repeatable way to cut fees over time.
What to watch: Look for route carve-outs, fare-family differences, and whether the airline uses the fee to push upgrades.
Published rows in this hub: 3Category slug: same_day_standby
Published fee rows (source-linked)
| Airline | Amount | Applies to | Region / route | Timing | Conditions | Source | Last verified | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines (WN) | 0 USD | Eligible fares | All routes | day of travel | Same-day standby available; request must be made at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure of original flight; if using app/mobile web for standby, must list 30 minutes ahead of scheduled departure | Source | 2025-12-24 | Beat fees |
| American Airlines (AA) | 0 USD | Eligible fares | Domestic | per request | Same-day standby available on select routes; eligibility restrictions apply | Source | 2025-12-22 | Beat fees |
| Delta Air Lines (DL) | 0 USD | Eligible fares | Domestic | per request | Same-day standby available on select routes; eligibility restrictions apply | Source | 2025-12-22 | Beat fees |
Want the traveler-first playbook per airline? Use the Beat fees shortcut column (it links to the “how to beat fees” page for each carrier).