New to Forums -- Planning trip to Europe

[Los Rekrabs]

Hello!

My husband and I are planning on using our flight benefits in July to take a trip to Europe, and I found this site while doing research for the trip.

We've never used our standby benefits to fly international (nor have we ever been to Europe), and I'm kind of nervous about trying it. So, I'm hoping to find some helpful information on this site. We have standby benefits for Delta, US Airways, and United.

Right now, we're planning on taking our trip the third week of July. We're still pretty open about where we want to go, but we're thinking northern Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, or around that area. He'd also love to go to France (the Tour de France will be going on, so we're not sure how possible that would be). I'd really like to do an organized escorted tour where most of the travel plans are taken care of, but I don't know how feasible that is with flying standby.

Anyway, we'd really appreciate any tips/tricks on flying standby into/out of Europe or general Europe tips as well. Suggestions on threads that I should read would also be appreciated!

Thanks!

[spongebue]

To be honest, summer Europe travel is very busy. You're probably better off looking at either spring or fall, unless you happen to see something wide open in both directions just before you go. That said, my experience (albeit relatively limited) with international standby travel is pretty similar to domestic. I just hang out a little closer to the gate in Europe, the one time flying out of HKG they cleared me at check in.

If you want a "training wheels" way of flying internationally, may I suggest Canada? There are some great cities to check out there. Depending on where you live, I'd suggest Vancouver, Toronto, Quebec City (if you speak French), Montreal (if you don't), or maybe even Edmonton if you want to check out the mall there.

[ddagencylv]

To be honest, summer Europe travel is very busy. You're probably better off looking at either spring or fall, unless you happen to see something wide open in both directions just before you go. That said, my experience (albeit relatively limited) with international standby travel is pretty similar to domestic. I just hang out a little closer to the gate in Europe, the one time flying out of HKG they cleared me at check in.

If you want a "training wheels" way of flying internationally, may I suggest Canada? There are some great cities to check out there. Depending on where you live, I'd suggest Vancouver, Toronto, Quebec City (if you speak French), Montreal (if you don't), or maybe even Edmonton if you want to check out the mall there.

Agreed 100%. Summer bad timing..

[mrs767er]

As far as Europe--I don't think you have a prayer as OALs during the summer. DL has warnings already posted for employees/buddy pass riders for several cities. July is as problematic as you can get. I certainly would NOT commit to organized travel with standby--anywhere in EU. Tour de France? ACK--fuhgedabowdit. Why not shoot for Formula One or FIFA or Olympics or a Coronation? Just being practical and telling it like it is.
We had a forum member hoping to get back from Europe summer 2 yrs ago and she had to buy 2 OW tkts for a few thousand bucks.
My husband won't even travel in summer to MOST countries on standby and we have 26 yrs seniority. We typically wait until end Sept thru early Nov for popular destinations. Consider holidays and events in a region, prior to planning, as well.
Please keep asking questions. We promise to use a velvet glove when trying to smack some sense into you! hahaha This is the right place.

[vulindlela]

Like the others said.......very bad idea.
I also do not do NRSA travel during the summer for the most part.
Fall and Spring? No problem! Summer? Forget about it.

15-20 years ago it was not hard to do, but that is when carriers were flying 747s across the pond and there were no alliances....

Good luck!

[29palms]

To be honest, summer Europe travel is very busy. You're probably better off looking at either spring or fall, unless you happen to see something wide open in both directions just before you go. That said, my experience (albeit relatively limited) with international standby travel is pretty similar to domestic. I just hang out a little closer to the gate in Europe, the one time flying out of HKG they cleared me at check in.

If you want a "training wheels" way of flying internationally, may I suggest Canada? There are some great cities to check out there. Depending on where you live, I'd suggest Vancouver, Toronto, Quebec City (if you speak French), Montreal (if you don't), or maybe even Edmonton if you want to check out the mall there.

Am I reading this right? Vancouver (British Columbia), Toronto (Ontario) are ENGLISH SPEAKING provinces of Canada. MONTREAL which in the province of Quebec just like Quebec City is they speak FRENCH and ENGLISH.

[Los Rekrabs]

Thank you all for your advice. I suspected it would be pretty difficult to travel to Europe during summer, so thanks for confirming. Unfortunately, July is the only time we'll be able to take a major trip this year, so looks like we need to consider other destination options!

[spongebue]

Am I reading this right? Vancouver (British Columbia), Toronto (Ontario) are ENGLISH SPEAKING provinces of Canada. MONTREAL which in the province of Quebec just like Quebec City is they speak FRENCH and ENGLISH.

Sorry, I can see where that wasn't very well worded. I meant that Quebec City is good if you speak French, ignoring the rest of the cities listed. Otherwise, Montreal is relatively close in character but they're mostly bilingual.

[InternationalDan]

oui oui.....


Dan

[InternationalDan]

What is your starting point? and where do you want to end up at? are you located on the east coast or west coast?


Dan