Flying standby to Vegas?

[370Z]

Just looking for advice and tips from Beyonders who've done this.

Meeting up with my buddy and his wife and kids April 1... just looking to save some money and considering flying stand by for the first time in my life as it really doesn't matter what time I get in....

Any tips? How much cheaper is it? ... should I even bother as it's obviously a popular destination...

Just going to be myself and my backpack, no wife and her shit loads of luggage.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Just looking for advice and tips from Beyonders who've done this.

Meeting up with my buddy and his wife and kids April 1... just looking to save some money and considering flying stand by for the first time in my life as it really doesn't matter what time I get in....

Any tips? How much cheaper is it? ... should I even bother as it's obviously a popular destination...

Just going to be myself and my backpack, no wife and her shit loads of luggage.

Depends if the 737 MAX planes are back in the sky.
Because...
They can tow more.

[arcticcat522]

Depends if the 737 MAX planes are back in the sky.
Because...
They can tow more.

BA Dum, CHHH

[Thaco]

BA Dum, CHHH

i dont get it

[370Z]

I don't get it either... related to my newb towing questions... but I just don't get the joke. It's not really funny at all.

Anyways, wife is coming now so probably not flying standby.

[rage2]

Do they sell standby tickets anymore? Thought they got rid of that years ago.

[ThePenIsMightier]

I don't get it either... related to my newb towing questions... but I just don't get the joke. It's not really funny at all.

Anyways, wife is coming now so probably not flying standby.

Wait, what!!?¡
So, you've started a thread about def doing a thing and now abandoning it!?¿??! After 3-4 responses?!

I don't even know what to. I don't even.
Why is life?

[Gainsbarre]

I'm pretty certain "standby" only exists these days if you miss a regularly scheduled flight and the airline puts you on a later flight that's fully booked

See myth #1 here... https://www.yegdeals.com/travel-booking-myths-that-just-wont-die

[The_Rural_Juror]

I am confused. Is the wife the hero or the villain in this story?

[spike98]

I'm pretty certain "standby" only exists these days if you miss a regularly scheduled flight and the airline puts you on a later flight that's fully booked

See myth #1 here... https://www.yegdeals.com/travel-booking-myths-that-just-wont-die

Or you work for said airline. I have friends that work for WJ that standby exclusively when they travel.

[Disoblige]

I am confused. Is the wife the hero or the villain in this story?
Definitely villain with her shitload of luggage :rofl:

[370Z]

I am confused. Is the wife the hero or the villain in this story?

Well apparently there's no such thing as standby anymore so she's neither Haha

[Maxx Mazda]

Vegas is super easy for standby travel. There’s always tons of no-shows. I’ve gotten on flights that show oversold by like 15 and there was still open seats when we pushed. Lots of misconnects too.

[Tik-Tok]

Vegas is super easy for standby travel. There’s always tons of no-shows. I’ve gotten on flights that show oversold by like 15 and there was still open seats when we pushed. Lots of misconnects too.

If you're an airline employee, then sure. Otherwise you aren't getting standby tickets.

[beyond_ban]

If you're an airline employee, then sure. Otherwise you aren't getting standby tickets.

Buddy passes are transferable from airline employees, so if you are friends with someone who is in the industry you can certainly fly standby as just a regular joe.

[Tik-Tok]

Buddy passes are transferable from airline employees, so if you are friends with someone who is in the industry you can certainly fly standby as just a regular joe.

My point is that you can't just walk up to the counter and buy standby tickets anymore as OP was hoping to do.

[beyond_ban]

My point is that you can't just walk up to the counter and buy standby tickets anymore as OP was hoping to do.

Ah, yes yes, you need a connection.

[benyl]

Vegas is super easy for standby travel. There’s always tons of no-shows. I’ve gotten on flights that show oversold by like 15 and there was still open seats when we pushed. Lots of misconnects too.

Yep, easier than LAX.

[adam c]

My point is that you can't just walk up to the counter and buy standby tickets anymore as OP was hoping to do.

You sure? Back in October I was waiting in Vancouver to come home and the woman next to me was on standby

[ExtraSlow]

You can end up in standby if your previous flight was delayed or cancelled too. But you also cannot purchase that type of ticket.

[Maxx Mazda]

Sorry, thought that’s what we were talking about was either travelling as an employee or on a buddy pass or something.

[ExtraSlow]

Sorry, thought that’s what we were talking about was either travelling as an employee or on a buddy pass or something.

OP thought he could purchase a standby ticket as a civilian. He knows better now.

[benyl]

OP thought he could purchase a standby ticket as a civilian. He knows better now.

I don’t know if you were ever able to do that in Canada. I know you could in the US.

[Tik-Tok]

I don’t know if you were ever able to do that in Canada. I know you could in the US.

You could, I flew a lot of standby flights as a youth. Imagine that in this day and age? An unescorted minor waiting around all day by themselves in an airport for a seat to open up?

[rage2]

Plot twist, OP is an airline employee.

[ExtraSlow]

Plot twist, OP is an airline employee.
And the call is coming from inside the house.

[Tik-Tok]

And the call is coming from inside the house.

Then who was phone?

[rage2]

Then who was phone?
Must be an Android.

[370Z]

Rage... you're a big Vegas goer... is now pretty much the cheapest time to buy if going end of March/ first week of April?

It's been almost 10 years since I ve gone...

[rage2]

Rage... you're a big Vegas goer... is now pretty much the cheapest time to buy if going end of March/ first week of April?

It's been almost 10 years since I ve gone...
I fly on points. Haven’t paid for a Vegas flight in forever.

When I did pay it was for events, so I didn’t have the luxury of choosing when to go.

[Xtrema]

If you are with companion and meeting somebody there, is flyby really even a good option?

[RX_EVOLV]

Rage... you're a big Vegas goer... is now pretty much the cheapest time to buy if going end of March/ first week of April?

It's been almost 10 years since I ve gone...

I rarely see any last minute flight deals nowadays except for those occasional WJ or AC 10-15% off sales on all flights. I would book sooner than later, especially if you are looking at ~ 8 weeks out.

[Euro838]

If you travel really light i.e. only a personal item and have a lot of time and flexibility then you can try Allegiant that flies to vegas out of Great Falls, MT. You can probably do round trip flight to Vegas for just over $100USD all-in.

[roopi]

I see zero value in driving 1000km round trip to Great Falls to save $200 on a flight.

[hurrdurr]

Vegas is super easy for standby travel. There’s always tons of no-shows. I’ve gotten on flights that show oversold by like 15 and there was still open seats when we pushed. Lots of misconnects too.

Unless it's staff/industry or buddy passes I'm very curious how you've flown standby.

EDIT - should have read follow up posts.

[Euro838]

I see zero value in driving 1000km round trip to Great Falls to save $200 on a flight.

I'm just providing options....

I'd rather do it Rage-style and be part of the 100k program where they pay you to come and comp everything for you!

[88CRX]

I see zero value in driving 1000km round trip to Great Falls to save $200 on a flight.

I couldn't imagine the return trip after partying in Vegas for a weekend... flight to Montana and then a 5+ hour drive home. Fuck no.

[imranm]

Check out Swoop from Edmonton. They have cheap flights to Vegas.

[Maxx Mazda]

Check out Swoop from Edmonton. They have cheap flights to Vegas.

Please do not bother with Swoop.

[370Z]

Just booked right now...Mar 29, 3 nights at PH, $1100 + about $150 in resort fees.

Next question, what's a good female strip club to take my wife lol... I've only been to Sapphire and SR, and the girls at Sapphire were much more down to earth...

[RX_EVOLV]

Just booked right now...Mar 29, 3 nights at PH, $1100 + about $150 in resort fees.

Next question, what's a good female strip club to take my wife lol... I've only been to Sapphire and SR, and the girls at Sapphire were much more down to earth...

You should try the $20 sandwich technique at check in to see if you can get an upgrade, or at least resort fees waived :)

[370Z]

You should try the $20 sandwich technique at check in to see if you can get an upgrade, or at least resort fees waived :)

Haha no im not that cheap

Also, what's the best place there to buy legal weed? Are there shops within walking distance?

[BavarianBeast]

Haha no im not that cheap

Also, what's the best place there to buy legal weed? Are there shops within walking distance?

Planet 13 is the best IMO. It's probably one of the most expensive dispensaries in LV,but its an experience and all the products are amazing quality. It's on Spring Mtn Rd near the Trump tower. Taxi/uber driver gets $15 for taking you there, so they will usually stop for free no problem. Should be a 10 min ride from PH. They display the extraction and edible making equipment there which is cool to see too.

Ask about their infused blunts, they're expensive but well worth it! Packwoods Alien OG was 10/10

[KrisYYC]

You could, I flew a lot of standby flights as a youth. Imagine that in this day and age? An unescorted minor waiting around all day by themselves in an airport for a seat to open up?

Yep. Back in the 90's I flew to Vancouver every summer on Air Canada student standby tickets. Between the ages of 11 and 16 and traveling alone (GASP!). If I remember correctly they were about half the cost of a confirmed ticket and I never got bumped once. Passenger load factors back then weren't as high as today though.

[Xtrema]

https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/lowfaresandmore/discount-codes/2?i_cid=wj:wj-hp:hero1:ss-wj:sale-01282020-VegasSale

OP you are in luck.

[370Z]

Planet 13 is the best IMO. It's probably one of the most expensive dispensaries in LV,but its an experience and all the products are amazing quality. It's on Spring Mtn Rd near the Trump tower. Taxi/uber driver gets $15 for taking you there, so they will usually stop for free no problem. Should be a 10 min ride from PH. They display the extraction and edible making equipment there which is cool to see too.

Ask about their infused blunts, they're expensive but well worth it! Packwoods Alien OG was 10/10

Whoa whoa hold on, I can just hop in a taxi and say take me there, for free??

[BavarianBeast]

Should of clarified, free stop if you are going somewhere else along the strip like the airport to hotel or PH to chinatown

[mr2mike]

Some how I feel Mar is responsible for this thread.

[370Z]

Should of clarified, free stop if you are going somewhere else along the strip like the airport to hotel or PH to chinatown

Nice, we arrive at 8pm ish so we definitely need a stop at pot shop.