Everything You Need to Know about Flying on a Buddy Pass

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Have you considered flying on a Buddy Pass to save money? Or maybe you’re wondering what a buddy pass is and how you can use it? You’ve come to the right place.

Everything you need to know about flying on a buddy pass is right here.

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My husband works for the airlines.  With airline employment comes the benefit of traveling on standby for free.  No matter if you are a pilot, flight attendant, baggage handler, ticket agent or work in the corporate office, you are given flight benefits. In other words, you can fly standby.

What does flying standby mean?  Read all about it here. 

Part of these flight benefits for airline employees includes a limited number of ‘buddy passes’ to allow friends or family to fly standby as well. Airline employees can allow family or friends to fly on their airline with a buddy pass.  At American, we are allowed 16 one-way buddy passes a year (or 8 round trip tickets).

However, these buddy passes are not free and come with many considerations you need to know about before signing up for a ‘free’ flight. Here are the essentials.

What is a Buddy Pass?

Buddy Passes are standby passes. Essentially you are borrowing your friend’s or family’s flight benefit. Flying on a buddy pass, you are flying standby.  This means you only get on the plane if there are empty seats after all paying customers have boarded.

Buddy passes are NOT a confirmed seat. I repeat, when you have your employee friend book your buddy pass you are not reserving a seat on the plane. They are reserving a spot to stand in line for any space available on the flight- after all paying customers have boarded. You are considered a non-rev (non-revenue) customer.

You are flying standby. This means that at the very last moment, even if the flight looked like it had plenty of seats, you could lose your seat to another paying customer. 

Can I Fly for Free on a Buddy Passes?

No. Buddy passes are not free. While the employee’s flight benefits include free domestic flights, anyone flying on a buddy pass pays taxes and fees for the flights.

The cost of a buddy pass is based on the distance of the flight, taxes of the airport, and other fees that vary from airline to airline.

A Delta Buddy pass and United Buddy pass may vary in the cost of each leg, but all will cost something. Ask your employee friend to look up the exact cost of each leg of your flight.

Using the buddy pass cost calculator you can find the cost from the airport to the airport. You do pay for every leg of your flight which makes a layover more expensive for buddy pass flyers. 

Compare the cost of a buddy pass to the cost of buying a ticket.  Sometimes a confirmed seat will be only a few dollars more. Ask yourself if flying standby is worth the difference.

How do I pay for a Buddy Pass?

 The cost of your flight may be drawn straight out of your ‘buddy’s’ paycheck. Or the system may allow you to pay for the flight with your credit card at the time of booking.

Although you put your credit card information in the system and agree to the fee, your card will only be charged for the flight once you actually take the flight.  So if you list for a flight but don’t get on, you will not pay.

How do I get a Buddy Pass?

To fly on a buddy pass, you will need to ask a friend or family who works for an airline if you can use a buddy pass. They will add you to their ‘buddy’ list and reserve a spot in the standby line on a specific flight.

What does the Employee do to give me a buddy pass?

Buddy Passes can involve a lot of work for your airline buddy.

Flying on a buddy pass can be convenient and cheaper for you. But know that the employee who allows you to use their benefit will do a lot of work for you. This is why you are a ‘buddy’ and not a random stranger.

First, when you book a buddy pass, the employee will need to enter all of your traveler information. They will need your name, address, credit card number, and possibly passport number.

The airline employee allowing you the privilege of using their buddy pass has no control over you getting to your destination.  They will, if they are anything like us, check the flights incessantly.  They will try to find a way to get you to your destination and home again in a timely manner.  It will be stressful (to you and to the employee) when it doesn’t work out. 

The employee will communicate with you which flights to try for and which flights to avoid. This means time checking flight loads, priority lists, and route options and then communicating the alternatives with you.  

And finally, the employee will be praying the standby gods are good to you and you will make it to your destination. And that you can handle it when it doesn’t swing your way.

You Cannot ‘Buy’ a Buddy Pass

It is against most company policy to ‘sell’ a buddy pass. So if you find someone trying to make a buck off giving you a cheap buddy pass for sale, it is most likely a scam.

Some airlines will deduct buddy pass expenses directly from the employee’s income. This means you will need to pay your friend directly for your flight (unless they are footing your flight bill).

Why might an airline employee not give out a buddy pass?

1. They don’t want to. Sometimes employees decide they won’t give out any passes. It’s a lot of work. They are responsible for anyone who flies on their pass.
2. They don’t trust you. The employee may not trust your behavior. If you throw a fit when you don’t make the flight, or act entitled to the employees of the airline, you may get reported. You ‘buddy’ can lose their flight benefits…forever. If you don’t handle disappointment well or feel entitled to certain privileges, flying on a buddy pass isn’t a good fit.
3. They may be out of buddy passes. There is a limited number of passes which varies from airline to airline. Sometimes they are reserved for people.
4. Flights are full. Flights are overloaded and they know you will most likely not make it.
5. They don’t have time. Buddy passes can be stressful for the employee so they may not have time or capacity to help you get to your destination.

What is the Standby Priority of Flying on a Buddy Passes?

 A buddy pass is a very low priority standby pass.  All standby passengers get in a virtual ‘line’ to get the open seats on a flight.  Business travelers, employees, retirees, and parents of airline employees all will be in line ahead of buddy pass users.  So even if a flight has space available, it may be filled with higher priority standby passengers before you get a seat. 

You are only granted a seat on the flight after everyone ahead of you in line is accommodated. 

Standbys are given seats on the flight in this order:

1. Pilots & Flight Attendants going to work
2. Employees + Family
3. Retirees of the company
4. Parents of Employees
5. Buddy Passes

Basically, you come last on the priority list.  Ok, I lied, employees of other airlines come after you, but still you are very low on the list.  And employees can ‘jump the line’ last minute to get a seat.

**Be sure to check flights before the one you are trying for to see if other standby passengers will be rolling to your flight.

How to Use a Buddy Pass?

After your ‘buddy’ has listed you on a flight, use the record locator number to print tickets and check in like normal. In America, you will need to have your standby ticket in hand and go through security. This ticket does not mean you have a seat assignment.

Go to your gate. Most gates have a list of standby passengers. Be sure you are on the list. Gate agents are busy and may not have time to answer all your questions or concerns. Try not to talk to you them unless you need something. Be polite, respectful and very thankful.

Sit close to the gate. Listen for your name. If the flight is pretty empty you might get a seat before passengers begin boarding and can board at your assigned group number. More likely, you will be waiting until most or all people are boarded before you are called.

When (if) your name is called, you may be told they have a seat assignment for you, or you may be told the flight is full.

You can opt to roll your name to the next flight to the same destination or be changed to another destination or layover option (which may cost more).

Tips for flying on a Buddy Pass

1. Travel Last-Minute

Making reservations for hotels, tours, or other events and then not making your standby flight can be frustrating. So don’t. Wait until you make the flight to reserve a hotel room. Airbnb, while a convenient family travel option, might not be a feasible option since you can’t reserve it in advance.

If you follow my blog you will see multiple scenarios when we have been bumped off flights last minute. Even after we’ve gotten a ticket and been seated on the airplane, you can be pulled off for a paying customer.  You must be prepared for a variety of outcomes that may or may not include getting to your destination.

Its easy to book a hotel last minute. Find multiple hotel options here. Or find one on the map below.

Read what you need to know about flying standby here.

Book a last minute Rental Car here.

2. Fly Direct

When you fly on a buddy pass, it is beneficial if you can make a direct flight. First of all, this will be cheaper overall. But also, getting a seat on multiple flights is trickier to do as a buddy pass passenger.

Layovers complicate flying on a Buddy Pass. If you make one of the legs of your flight you have to pay for the flights you did take – even if you don’t make it to your final destination.

If you do need a layover, your buddy pass price will increase due to paying the taxes and fees of each airport that you use.  Plus, you may not make the second leg of your flight and be stuck in a city you don’t want to be in.

Flying on a layover also decreases the likelihood of making it to your final destination in a timely manner.  Now you have to find two flights that have enough seats for low priority, standby traveler.

3. Be Flexible

Flying on a buddy pass you cannot expect to arrive at a designated time or be home at a specified hour (or even date).  Create backup plans and alternate options for getting around. 

You may be waiting for a while to get on a flight. Try listening to a great book.

4. Travel during Non-Peak Times

Don’t travel in peak season like the summer or holidays. Choose flights that are not high travel times like Friday or Sunday evening. Fly on a Tuesday at 5 am or Saturday evening.

5. Travel to Big Destinations (But Not Popular Destinations)

The bigger the airport the more flights a day you can jump on. If you want to get to a remote city, you may only have one chance a day. There is usually no chance you will make it to Hawaii or Alaska, but more likely to get to Chicago or LA.

6. Be on your Best Behavior

You are flying under the name and employee number of your “buddy”. Any misbehavior on your part can result in a loss of flight privileges for your friend or family forever.

Flying on a buddy pass is a privilege. Kind and courteous behavior to the ticket and gate agents, the flight attendants and captains (they know where you sit!) is required. You represent the airlines and will need to be a gracious and kind passenger to the other employees and customers.

Some Airlines have a dress code for non-rev travel. Non-rev travel includes buddy passes. Dress your best for flying standby. You represent the airlines.

7. Expect Nothing, Be Grateful for Anything

Getting the last few seats on the flight will mean a few things.

1. Most likely you will sit in a middle seat or on the back row
2. Most likely you will board last
3. Mostly you will not sit by your travel companions (even children)
4. Most likely you will have to check your luggage as they may be out of overhead space.

If any of these are not the case, be grateful! Be courteous to the employees working to get you a seat on the flight.

If you got a seat on a flight, you just won the standby lottery and you should be grateful for your cheap flight.

If you want to travel in luxury, a buddy pass is not for you.

8. Have a Plan B (or C or D)

Understand that you are solely in charge of your travels. The airlines owe nothing to Buddy Pass travelers  When flying on a buddy pass there is no compensation for irregular operations or weather-related delays. You didn’t buy a flight so they are not responsible to make sure you make it to your destination like a paying customer.

Weather and maintenance, while annoying to any traveler, can completely destroy plans for a standby passenger.  You may need to rent a car to drive to other airports or even drive home when the unexpected occurs.

The airline will not pay for hotel accommodations, car rentals, or any other advantages that paying customers may get.

9. Travel Light

Traveling on standby means you might not get on a flight. Checking bags to your final destination can be complicated when you don’t make the flight. We always travel with only carry-on luggage. You will get a seat last minute which means you need to board quickly.

Have your stuff together! Make sure you don’t look like a lot of work, or they may not hold the door for you.

10. No Perks

Buddy Passes provide no perks. Buddy passes still cost money, but won’t help you earn points, credit or loyalty rewards. You can travel free by signing up for credit cards and ‘travel hacking’.

 Using a buddy pass will not contribute to your airline status or points.

Buddy Passes only Work on One Airline

If your friend works for Delta, their buddy passes will only allow you to fly on Delta.  If you see a United flight to the same city, you cannot try for that flight, unless you have a ‘buddy’ that works for United.

Most airlines work with a hub system, which means they typically only travel from their hub to other cities.  If you are trying to fly between two cities that aren’t considered a hub you will most likely have to have a layover in a hub.  This makes the buddy pass more expensive since you pay for each leg.

Consider your destination and location when flying on a buddy pass.

When is a Buddy pass Useful?

• Flexible dates/times
• Flexible destination
• Last-minute trip (ie. funeral, unexpected event, for fun)
• Willing to wait in the Airport
• Getting to the destination isn’t required
• Grateful and positive attitude
• If you are traveling with an airline employee
• Flying to or from a hub of the airline (direct flight)
• You aren’t checking bags

The best way to use buddy passes is if you have a flexible schedule and it is a last-minute flight.  Otherwise, you are probably better off buying a confirmed seat. Peace of mind is worth the price.

Benefits of Flying on a Buddy Pass

Buddy Pass benefits will vary from airline to airline. One bonus when flying on a buddy pass with American is that you will get two free checked bags! Check with your airlines to confirm what the checked bag policy is for buddy passes.

Last-minute flights can be pricey, so flying standby on a buddy pass can save you hundreds of dollars.

Is Flying on a Buddy Pass Right for you?

Flying standby isn’t easy.  If you don’t have the patience for it, please don’t ask your employee friend or family to use a buddy pass.  We want to help because we love you. But in all honesty, giving you a buddy pass can end up being a curse rather than a blessing. 

When we first received our perk of buddy passes many of our family members were excited to ‘fly free’!  However, after a few uses, they realized the complexity of traveling standby and now rarely use them.  

If after reading this, you still want to risk using a buddy pass for your next trip, maybe it’s time you get a job with the airlines!  You are willing to do anything for a cheap flight!   

Other Options for Cheap Flights

In many cases, flying on a buddy pass is not much cheaper than buying a confirmed seat. You can check cheap airline ticket prices to compare with the price of a Buddy Pass flight.

Better yet, book a flight with credit card points for a free flight! You can earn points using a credit card to make everyday purchases. These points can be redeemed for tickets to destinations of your choice.

Right now, the best option for a travel credit card is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card. You earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in your first 3 months. These points can go towards free flights, hotel rooms and even rental cars.

You can also get a credit card with specific Airlines. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit card offers 40,000 bonus points after only spending $1000 in 3 months.

The United Explorer Credit card is offering 40,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in 3 months and an additional 25,000 points after you spend $10,000 in 6 months. Or better yet, the United Club Infinite Card offers 75,000 Bonus points after spending $3,000 in 3 months.

• 10 Questions to Ask if you are ready to fly standby
• Everything you need to know about DFW airport
• Traveling Standby Internationally
• How to travel with a baby
• Remember all your travels by creating a travel wall gallery
• 5 Essential Non Rev tips for flying with kids
• Afraid of Flying? I was, too!
• How to Rock Flying Standby

Editorial Disclaimer: The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuers, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuers

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