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Delta’s now allowing non-elites to stand by for an earlier flight for free

Aug. 04, 2021
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3 min read
Delta A350 Tour Delta One Suite Premium Select
Delta’s now allowing non-elites to stand by for an earlier flight for free
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What a lovely mid-week surprise! Effective immediately, Delta flyers can stand by for an earlier flight — completely free of charge.

Delta Air Lines already discontinued most change fees, but a difference in fare may apply. If you're looking to move flights within a few days of departure, your new pick could be significantly more expensive, potentially costing you hundreds of dollars in additional airfare.

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As of today, flyers have a new free option at their disposal. Previously, general members and Silver Medallion elites had to pay $75 to stand by for an earlier flight — now, Delta's no longer charging fee.

Related: Delta permanently drops nearly every change fee and more

As the airline explains, "the new flight must depart the same day, and standby requests or a confirmed change must be made within 24 hours of departure. Customers can make their same-day travel change directly within the Fly Delta app or delta.com."

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Note that the free standby feature will not appear if the new flight you're selecting has seats available in the same fare class you originally booked. If that's the case, you'll only be able to select a confirmed seat on the new flight.

For most travelers, a confirmed change carries a $75 fee, though it's waived for Diamond, Platinum and Gold elites.

Delta A350 Tour Delta One Suite Premium Select
With limited premium-cabin availability, you may find it easier to stand by for economy than business or first class. (Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)

While Delta is often the first U.S. legacy carrier to implement policy changes (with American Airlines and United following), that isn't the case this time around. Both American and United already offer free standby — American began on Oct. 1, 2020, and United flyers have been standing by for free since the beginning of this year.

American and United have the upper hand when it comes to flexibility, too — both airlines allow basic economy flyers to stand by for an earlier flight, but that isn't the case with this new Delta policy. Note that Delta basic economy flyers do have the option to change their flights through the end of 2021, though a difference in fare may apply.

Some carriers have route restrictions as well. American and Delta only offer standby on flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for example. Some otherwise eligible routes only have one flight each day, so there may not be an earlier option available domestically, as well.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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