Return tickets

[3Styler]

What do i do if i've got a return ticket from america on a certain date but need to return a week earlier than the date on the ticket? i heard about something about stand by, how does this work and can i do this? 

[Grunty]

Go to the local office of the airline and ask them to change your booking.

[rampart]

Yes, you will need to check with the airline's office. If they offer standby, it works something like this: you go to the airport and tell the clerk what flight you wish to take. In some cases, the flight is not full, so you simply get to take that flight. If the flight is full, they may ask you to "stand by." If all passengers booked for that flight show up, then you cannot take that flight. If not all of the passengers booked for that flight, then the clerk will call you up, take your ticket, and off you go.

Do ask the airline office about it. I don't know what happens to the luggage.

[destiny26]

it can be done but you will find that just turning up at the airport and booking on to a flight as a standby passenger you will have to pay again for the flight and also are subject to rigorous searches im afraid! You wont have any problem with your luggage except that they will check it probably more thoroughly.

I would try checking with the airline first too but if you dont have any luck go to the airport on the day you want to fly home (i found they wont help you if you want to fly in 3 days time, if you get my drift) and go to any airline desk and explain your dilemma they will then try and get you on a flight. You will more than likely be told that they cant tell you whether youre on the flight or not until an hour before it leaves, as they dont know if everyone will turn up or not. from past experience they always say that the flight is full! you will then be labelled (red stickers) as a standby passenger and their security will be tighter on you than normal (just searches... nothing to worry about) and then youll be on your way! Hope this helps. if you want any more info on this ask away... i have recent experience of this myself from the states