There are alot of urban legends floating around about buddy passes. One of them is that those that have them, usually tell others it is not worth using them because they can secure a cheaper fare and not have to deal with the standby situation. I mean to tell you. I don't think you can find air fares cheaper than traveling on a buddy pass.

I will however, tell you this. As a non-rev buddy pass traveler, you fly at the lowest, (Lower than whale sh...) if you know what I mean on the priority standby list. Buddy passes are NOT FREE and they cost at least more than fifty bucks each way and you are STANDBY. You can be stranded for days playing the non-rev standby game.

I don't like giving them out because I don't like chasing the money, nor do I like them taking it out of my account. If the person is stranded, next thing you know, is you get these phone calls wanting you to somehow PULL STRINGS. I won't give them out unless they have a credit card it can be charged to. They can screw you up too if they make a scene, therefore, I only give them to family members or somebody else working in the airlines I know. And its not really GIVING buddy passes, but rather SELLING it. You have to charge them the going rate otherwise, YOU GET STUCK WITH THE BILL because, again, BUDDY PASSES ARE NOT FREE.

So one must find their "Golden mean". Is it worth playing the standby game as a buddy pass rider, or just fork out the cash and owe noone a thing? If you are on a tight budget and on welfare, I can understand using the passes, but if you got the cash, though you wish you could spend it on better things, just plan ahead and get the cheapest full fare ticket you can buy.

What I would do is check with your buddy first, ask them to check the booking situation, if its tight or "Iffy", just get your own ticket. If your buddy says its WIDE OPEN for the dates you wish to travel, give him your credit card number and see if he can list you.