Non-Rev Tips/Tricks

Finny

Finny

Well-Known Member
Hi All,

I just got hired on at my first 121 job and I'm beyond excited about the possibilities for my wife and I to be able to travel and see the world. Is there a good resource for newbie non-rev travelers that I could access and try to do some research on etiquette, best way to look up flight loads, and reasonable route expectations? We're probably going to try some easy CONUS trips to visit family first, but would really like to use the benefits to get to Europe and Australia eventually.

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
Number one rule (other than what adk said) is never leave the gate until the plane pushes.

I've gotten MANY seats on a supposed full flight right at the end. Often times because other non revs gave up and left. I've even gotten a few seats after the jet bridge door is shut.
 
I've been away from the non-rev game for a while but basically plan to go EVERYWHERE in the off season. Europe in the winter (Wiiiiiiiiide open when I went to Italy in February), Caribbean in the summer when it's balls hot, etc. Look into if your airline has anything on perx.com. I've gotten super nice resorts for pretty damn cheap through there too.
 
Best resource would be talking to someone that has done a bunch of non-rev trips. Worth the price of a few drinks. And learn all of the rules and procedures for however you are listing, it is generally quite complicated.

I have been lucky enough to always get where I was trying to, but for anything that matters, I buy a ticket.

Watching the loads in the days leading up to your trip and having a few destinations in mind is also a solid plan.

I certainly owe @Gonzo as many confirmed frequent flier freebies as he ever wants.
 
poser765 said:
Number one rule (other than what adk said) is never leave the gate until the plane pushes.

I've gotten MANY seats on a supposed full flight right at the end. Often times because other non revs gave up and left. I've even gotten a few seats after the jet bridge door is shut.
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A quick anecdote to reinforce some of the points already made.

My parents were trying to non-rev to Las Vegas on a busy weekend. Almost all of the flight were oversold coming out of CLT, and they were at least 12-14 down the list to get on the first flight of the morning. My dad is the ultimate nice guy/schmoozer, and everyone loves him. He and the gate agent became fast friends. Anyways, the plane started to push and my parents were not on the airplane. They were still in the chairs and were waiting to walk to the next gate to try again, and the rest of the non-revs left the gate area. A few minutes later, the gate agent came and got them from the seats and said that they could get on if they really hurried. Evidently there were some really drunk girls on the airplane as part of a bachelorette party on their way to Vegas. As soon as the airplane started pushing back, they started screaming/celebrating and popped open bottles of alcohol that they had. The flight attendant called the captain, they stopped the push and pulled back to the gate. All of the girls got thrown off, and they let my parents get on.
 
Oh yeah, and never NonRev with me because I have the worst luck of anyone I've ever encountered. A few funny stories over the years.
 
@JordanD, I saw that when I searched non-rev tips on here before I started this thread. Hopefully your luck is improving over the years!

Thanks for the advice everyone. As far as flying internationally, are there another set of rules if you end up getting a ticket on a foreign carrier? Or does the same etiquette apply?
 
I haven't done any internationally non-rev yet but I'll reiterate the excellent points already mentioned here. Have a plane B and C and D. Seriously.

I took my GF out to San Fran about 2 months ago and it took us 12hrs to get her onto a plane on the way home. 12. TWELVE. That was after 3 flights in a row that had 30+ open seats suddenly had zero with a 50 deep standby list. If there is one hiccup in the system, be it cancelled flight/delays the standby lists begins to grow, and if you're not flying on your own metal, you'll quickly find out how low on the totem pole your priority gets you.

I barely consider my ability to list my family on flights a benefit at all. If you need to be there, buy a ticket.
 
Finny said:
@JordanD, I saw that when I searched non-rev tips on here before I started this thread. Hopefully your luck is improving over the years!

Thanks for the advice everyone. As far as flying internationally, are there another set of rules if you end up getting a ticket on a foreign carrier? Or does the same etiquette apply?
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The only experience I have had was that they were way way way nicer than in the states. Get there early and be polite. You know, like you would do anyway.
 
Always have a backup, or 3....and give yourself a few extra days on either side of your trip as a contingency. And once your wife is comfortable with it, be willing to split up as necessary, at least in the U.S.

Make friends with the agent... Or at least be very professional and polite.

Never make hotel reservations until you're sure that you're on. Do your research on trip advisor, pick several suitable hotels and book once you're on.

Ask the FAs for any tips on the destination. Many times they have been there a lot and know what to see and what to miss.... And how to save a few bucks.

Have fun!
 
Also as a counter point you're never really safe until the plane takes off, I have seen them pull the jetbridge back down to take off nonrevs and put revenue pax on. Plus everything everyone else has said, it's all good advice.
 
ahw01 said:
Get the first flight of the day as possible. Be prepared to fly into a different home airport, I've done Manchester and Brussels (for London) a few times. Don't take hold luggage.
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True, even if it's the 1:10am out of SLC.
 
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