Thread: Need Some Advice

Being kid free for the past 15years, we have found it excellent time to travel non-rev just about anywhere (ealry Sept - mid Nov). Dont listen to all the negative things you read and hear, use the benefit! Thats whats its all about.
Just about anywhere we travel, my wife and I usually plan to arrive at our destination a day or two early, before and after any vacation time for travel 'just in case'. In the past 14yrs togegher in the airline industry, we have never had purchased revenue tickets. (knock on wood!). I wont say we have not had a nighmare non-rev stories or two, but all in we usually make it an experience.
I have been subjective to the strict policy of the "not making it back to work discipline policy" for a couple of majors/commuters and all I can say is if becomes a problem, the you have something to worry about. If it happens once in a great while..you will be ok.
Also..buy backups if you can..the're refundalbe if you don't use them.

The good, the bad, the ugly is all part of the fun! I haven't flown on a paid ticket in two years. Admittedly I have gotten stuck twice, and I didn't really want to leave so I gave up sort of easily. In both situations I probably could have gotten out if I actually utilized my back up plans.

In the past two weeks I non-reved on nine flights on four different carriers alone. Was in NRT, stopped at home for a few hours, hopped over to a wedding in SJU, and then met up with a friend in BOS on the way back. I could have never accomplished all that on paid tickets!

It's exciting, can be stressful, but for what it's worth it's an excellent privilege. You just have to make sure you can be flexible if things don't go completely your way.

USA-LON flights are easy. There are tons of frequencies on many different carriers. Choose a city pair with different frequencies on different carriers that are the same (or lower) ZED level. I don't know what agreements WN has, but say for instance AA, BA, BD are ZM, while VS and UA are ZL. You want to fly ORDLHR and all of those carriers operate that flight. If you purchase the ZM ticket, it's a little more expensive, but would be accepted on all of those carriers operating that route. The only caveat I have is that for certain carriers (I know BA for sure, possibly VS as well) if your coupon says LHR you cannot use it at LGW. That shouldn't be a big deal. This example goes for any airport with multiple frequencies to LHR/LGW/etc.

To check loads, just call up the airline reservations number or their non-rev desk. The number that you are required to call should be listed in your agreement with the airline. If it's just the normal 800-number, it's also good to carry around the local number of the carrier in the place you'd be going so that it's cheaper and easier to call to check the loads on your return.

On the leg out, you'll probably be biting your nails, but by the time you land in London you'll be happy you took this route. Enjoy!

There are many of us on the board that have access to loads and waitlist for our own airline. As the time gets closer make a post and many will respond. If you have load questions for NW/DL I can help you with the days and let you know how many would be ahead of you. Of course these things change ever so quickly. But send me a message early september.

For information about listing, ticketing, embargoes, dress code, etc. check out swalife. I know the folks at WN do a great job of communiating those details to their employees.