Top 10 Tips to Take the Stress out of Non-Rev Travel

Non-rev travel truly is a privilege, but it does come with a price. Last-minute changes (sometimes in your favor, often not), tight connections, and the otherwise sheer uncertainty of the game can make it seem daunting. There are plenty of employees and their family members who rarely or never use their benefits, because it just seems too stressful. But, we can certainly attest that with a little preparation and a handful of tips and tricks, you can take some of the stress out of flying standby. Here are our top 10 tips for making non-rev travel as enjoyable as possible. non-rev travel

1. Become a Member of Global Entry/TSA Pre✓ & Clear

People with flight benefits tend to spend quite a lot of time in airports, so finding ways to cut down on some of that waiting time is invaluable. Secure entry programs like Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, and Clear have truly been a godsend. Not only can we afford to get to the airport a little later than most passengers thanks to our TSA Pre✓ and Clear memberships, but Global Entry also helps us make tight connections when traveling back home from abroad.

Clear…get it?

If you are like us and really maximize your flight benefits by traveling abroad often, our recommendation is to sign up for Global Entry, as you are able to apply for and take advantage of TSA Pre✓ for no additional cost. Details on how to apply to Global Entry can be found here.

2. Join Non-Rev Social Networks

I know at least a few of the major U.S. airlines have employee-run Facebook groups where fellow non-rev travelers ask for and give advice and updates. If you are an employee, retiree, or spouse, you are likely eligible to join. This can be an invaluable resource for researching how to get to and from your dream destination on standby. It can also be helpful in the moment, if you find your flight plan unexpectedly unraveling at the airport. Fellow non-revs are often more than happy to help you in real time, while you scramble to find a plan B, C, and D. 

There are also a number of online forums where airline employees and self-identified “aviation nerds” share news, travel stories, and advice. FlyerTalk is one example of a long-time forum where airline employees have offered a wealth of information and tips about destinations, routes, and airline and aviation news. There are also blogs like Cleared List  and apps like Staff Traveler (see Tip #6) to help non-rev travelers find their way around the globe. 

3. Be Familiar with Airport Standby Policies

International airports have varying policies and procedures for standby travelers. In some instances, passengers will not be permitted to clear security or customs until one hour before departure, or less. Fighting your way through the lines to try to make the flight you just cleared can be a harrowing experience. To avoid unnecessary stress before a long flight, it is best to research the airports you’ll be flying through so that you can be mentally prepared and know what to expect. You can also use this knowledge to prepare by making sure your carry-on bags are packed efficiently to make the security screening as fast and painless as possible.

Tips for Breezing Through Security Screening

• Pack your 3-1-1 compliant toiletry bag on top so it can be easily removed.
• Travel light with electronics – use a bag with a designated, easy-access laptop compartment.
• Keep snacks in one small pouch, and pack on top for airports that require food removal.
• Wear shoes that easily slip on and off.
• Keep your pockets empty.
• Cell phones are made of metal…put them in the bin!

A great resource for finding airport standby policies is on the Facebook pages you joined from Tip #2. Also, check your airline’s website for current airport advisories, like this one from Delta, to keep up with airport policy changes, delays due to construction, and other airport news.  

4. Purchase an Airport Lounge Membership

For the frequent standby traveler, there is perhaps no better advice I can give than to purchase a membership to your airline’s lounge. Not only does it provide a calmer and more comfortable place to wait out flight after flight, but the agents in the club can often provide valuable assistance – like changing your priority, or moving you on to a different standby list when the option is no longer accessible to you.

Enjoying Prosecco on the JFK Sky Deck

Perhaps a better option than simply purchasing a membership directly is opening a credit card associated with your airline, as there are often added perks. I opened an American Express Platinum card, and added Rufio as an additional card member. The annual card member fee costs less than a general membership to the Sky Club, plus gives us access to lounges in international airports where there are no Sky Clubs, among a number of other benefits. With the card, we enjoy access to Centurion lounges and Priority Pass lounges around the world. We’ve estimated how many times per year we would need to eat or have a drink at the lounge in order to make the fee cost-effective for us, and by our rough estimates we by far get our money’s worth given the number of flights we take each year.

This year I am actually tracking my visits to the lounge, in an effort to more precisely estimate cost per visit.

5. Dress to Impress…and to Run

When flights don’t work out, we often find ourselves almost running from terminal to terminal to make an attempt at an alternate route. It is imperative that we’re wearing clothing and carrying luggage that can help us move quickly. But, we are also representing the airline, so we still want to look sharp when we finally get that lucky seat.  

The challenge every flight is to put together an ensemble that is chic, comfortable, allows running, and is adaptable to changing temperatures from the point of departure, in-flight, and at the arrival location. My outfits change, but these are the standards I look for in travel pieces.

Shoes

Your shoes are probably the single most important piece of attire for standby travel. I love seeing posh women, dressed to the nines and rocking stilettos, so glamorously awaiting to jet set at the gatehouse. So long as I non-rev travel, I will unfortunately never be one of those women. Flats are absolutely crucial, given all the aforementioned running through terminals when flight plans suddenly change. Ability to slip on and off easily is also key for rushing through security during international connections. Depending on the season, I have go-to ballet flats, sandals, or boots that all hit the mark for comfort, style, and functionality. 

Clothes & Accessories

Most of the time off the plane you’ll find me in dresses (which are also easy to pack), but I tend to freeze, so I always wear pants in flight. When I find a pair of pants or jeans that I deem travel-worthy, I get very excited. In my book, they need to look sleek, be comfortable, and allow flexible movement. That last piece is key, especially on long-haul days. 

I am never without a blanket scarf or pashmina in flight, and I always wear cute and quirky compression socks for flights lasting longer than 4 hours. I also love to accessorize with travel-themed jewelry and luggage tags. My ATL necklace and leather Georgia luggage tag are a little piece of home I take with me all over the globe.

Check out all of the clothing, accessories, and travel gear we use and love on our Essential Travel Gear page.  

6. Be Travel Tech Savvy 

The uncertainty of non-rev travel means some of your travel planning needs to happen on the fly. The best way to prepare is to have a couple of key apps on your phone or tablet, ready to go when you finally get cleared. Last-minute deal apps, like Hotel Tonight, can be a lifesaver when you suddenly find yourself in need of a reservation. While it is controversial in the travel community, AirBnB* is a great resource for non-rev travelers, especially when Instant Book properties are available. Here’s a list of top travel apps, recommended by us and other experienced non-rev travelers.

Top Non-Rev Travel Websites & Apps

• Rome2Rio – Enter a departure and arrival city, and it will return all the transportation options between the two.
• CityMapper – Similar to Rome2Rio for travel within a city. Provides trip time and approximate costs, to help you make transportation decisions. 
• FlightBoard – A great tool to search for zed options, this app lists all departures and arrivals from any given airport.
• TrainLine – Provides prices for trains, mainly in Europe. 
• StaffTraveler – Find flight loads for various airlines. 
• Google Flights – Research flight options between cities. 
• Google Maps – Download offline maps for where you’re visiting by typing “ok maps” in the search bar. 
• Google Translate – Speak to anyone in any language. 
• XE Currency Exchange – Figure out what that souvenir is going to cost you. 
• What’s App – Free calls and messaging around the world. 
• Booking.com – Find last minute hotel deals. 
• Hotel Tonight – Find last minute hotel deals. 
• AirBnB – Instant book properties can be a life saver when you get that last minute seat to your destination…or when you get stuck another night. 

There are also just a few gadgets to always have on hand to make non-rev life easier. Perhaps most important is the external battery charger, to keep all the electronics alive when you’re stuck for hours. Noise cancelling headphones can help you keep your sanity on a long travel day. If you have wireless headphones, pick up an AirFly wireless transmitter to enjoy the plane’s in-flight entertainment. 

*Do some research on AirBnB to determine whether the service is a good, sustainable fit in your destination before you book. 

7. Have a Seating System 

The standby list is sometimes not cleared until 10 minutes prior to departure, and sometimes you’ll get that lucky last seat even later. You’ll find yourself running down the jet bridge moments before departure, stumbling down the crowded aisle, clamoring for the one empty bin to awkwardly cram your carry-on in before you struggle back upstream to your row, where you’ll probably climb over someone’s legs to get to your precious empty middle seat – all while the eyes of every paying passenger are laser-focused on the person they assume is trying to make them miss their connection. It can be nerve-racking when it comes down to the wire, so your best bet is to have a system in place.

Enjoy the photo, you’ll almost never get to board like this.

Make sure your hands are free as you are boarding, so you can swiftly put your carry-on into any available overhead bin without delay. My backpack always goes under the seat in front of me, so I keep my phone, headphones, wallet, and anything else I plan to use in-flight in the top pocket so that I can easily access them as soon as I sit down without having to pull the whole backpack out, further annoying the person whose legs I just scrambled over.  

8. Maximize Your Entertainment & Comfort 

Let’s be honest, at some point you are going to get stuck. For hours…maybe days. Make sure you have a book to read, a podcast to listen to, movies to watch, something to work on, anything to pass the waiting periods (hopefully you’ve taken Tip #4 and at least can spend your waiting periods in a lounge with free food and drinks). I always travel with a blanket scarf, and for long-haul flights I carry a pack blanket and my Cabeau travel pillow. Long layovers may be necessary, and you never know when you may end up sleeping in the airport, so it helps to have these easy to pack items to keep you as warm and comfortable as possible. Make sure you keep at least the basic toiletries like a toothbrush, toothpaste, contact solution and case (if applicable), baby wipes, and deodorant in your carry-on, for the inevitable airport bathroom “shower”. A (small) snack stash and reusable water bottle are also must haves. 

9. Earn Miles for Emergencies

It’s rare, but there may come a time when you simply can’t get home or somewhere you really need to be by flying non-rev. For times like these, it doesn’t hurt to open up a credit card that earns miles for everyday purchases, in order to save up for a rainy non-rev day. To give me some flexibility, I opened both the American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles card and the Capital One Venture. I use these two cards for almost all my daily expenses, and simply save up the miles for the day I’m really stuck.

Sidebar: I had to use emergency miles to get out of Florida just this week. 

10. Enjoy the Ride

Perhaps not surprisingly, I do occasionally encounter other non-rev passengers (usually buddy passes, but not always) taking out their standby frustrations on unsuspecting gate agents. They say you catch more flies with honey, and in the non-rev world it is no different. On multiple occasions, we have had gate agents, flight attendants, and other employees go out of their way to help us navigate difficult non-rev situations because we have always been kind, patient, and understanding with them.

I’ve talked about this before, but this incredible opportunity I have to be a non-rev traveler has taught me how to be patient, spontaneous, and above all appreciative and humble. There’s this ongoing debate among airline employees about the semantics of their travel perks – whether they are a “benefit” that comes as a recruitment incentive, or a “privilege” that should be revered. For the employees, it truly is a little of both, as they certainly earn it. For those of us so lucky to be part of their lives, it is unequivocally a privilege. I will never forget that, no matter where in the world or how many hours I am stuck waiting on the next empty seat. 

When standby travel gets harrowing, thanks to storms or poor airport management or any number of factors, I know it can be incredibly frustrating. The most important piece of advice I have to make your non-rev travels as stress-free as possible is to be kind, remain calm, and remind yourself that no matter what happens, you have been given an amazing opportunity – so enjoy the wild ride. 

This mindset is a skill that has to be honed over time, but if you have followed some of the tips and tricks I have shared in this post, the ability to do this may come a little easier. non-rev travel

Do you have any tips for making non-rev travel less stressful? Leave a comment!

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