Same Day Standby fees by airline

Updated: 2026-02-15
Verdict: 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)

AirlineAmountApplies toRegion / routeTimingConditionsSourceLast verifiedShortcut
Southwest Airlines (WN)0 USDEligible faresAll routesday of travelSame-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 departureSource2025-12-24Beat fees
American Airlines (AA)0 USDEligible faresDomesticper requestSame-day standby available on select routes; eligibility restrictions applySource2025-12-22Beat fees
Delta Air Lines (DL)0 USDEligible faresDomesticper requestSame-day standby available on select routes; eligibility restrictions applySource2025-12-22Beat 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).