Best and Worst Carriers for Standby and Same-Day Changes — and How to Capitalize (Video Episode)

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Learn how same-day flight changes and standby can save you money when your travel plans suddenly change.

In this special video episode, hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dive into last-minute travel rules, exploring when you can make a same-day flight switch, what “standby” really means, and how fees and policies differ from airline to airline. But first, they break down the week’s travel headlines, including Delta’s “Centennial Cheer” holiday kindness campaign, the upcoming closure of the Chase Sapphire Lounge in Hong Kong, new lounge openings in Las Vegas and beyond, and a wave of ultra-luxury hotel growth from Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt. They also share year-end reminders about expiring credit card travel credits, elite status deadlines, and why some travelers consider mileage or mattress runs before December 31.

Then, Meghan and Sally unpack last-minute flight changes and standby strategy, with tips and tricks on using miles and card perks to salvage missed flights, knowing when same-day confirmed changes are a better bet than standby, and navigating very different policies at Southwest, American, United, Delta, Alaska, Spirit and Frontier. They walk through which airlines shine for free or low-cost same-day changes, which bury you in fees, and how elite status and fare class affect your place on the list. You’ll also learn practical tactics like getting on the standby list early, traveling carry-on only, reading waitlists in real time on apps, and deciding when to give up and stick with your original flight — plus a quick hot take on hotel TVs that turn on the second you open the door.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve

• American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum

• Capital One Venture X Review: A Steal of a Deal Among Premium Cards https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/capital-one-venture-x

• United Quest Card: Piles of Perks and Credits, $350 Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/united-quest

• Best Delta Air Lines Credit Cards of December 2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/delta-airlines-cards

• Atmos Rewards Summit Card: Perks as Rare as They Are Valuable https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/atmos-rewards-summit

Resources discussed in this episode:

• I Missed My Flight. My United Quest Card Saved the Day. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/i-missed-my-flight-my-united-quest-card-saved-the-day

• The Best Airline Elite Status for 2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/which-airline-has-the-most-valuable-elite-status-program

Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.

In this episode, the Nerds discuss: same day flight change, same-day confirmed flight change, airline standby rules, how airline standby works, standby list strategy, last-minute flight changes, missed flight what to do, Southwest same day change policy, American Airlines same day change, United standby list, Delta same day standby, Delta Basic Economy standby, Alaska Airlines same day change, Frontier standby fees, Spirit Airlines change fees, budget airlines change fees, mileage run vs elite status value, year end credit card benefits, expiring travel credits December 31, airline fee credits, hotel credits on travel cards, Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access, Capital One Venture X lounge access, Alaska Atmos Summit card same day change benefit, using miles for last minute flights, and last minute award flight deals.

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