Id90 & Id75

[hangar7guy]

Another commuting question from a wannabe: Are these industry discount fares positive space, or can you still get bumped?

I understand that if push comes to shove, a revenue passenger will get taken ahead of someone on an industry discount ticket. But can you still get bumped by a non-rev? I'm just wondering if commuting can be made any easier by occasionally forking over some $$ for a discounted ticket.

 

[DashTrash400]

Nope. ID75/90/95/ZED is all standby only, and you're behind the airline's own employees and often their partner airlines' employees. There's seldom any reason to buy ID90s for commuting unless your commute crosses oceans (sucks for you!) - in the states, it's easier to just jumpseat.

 

[propsarebest]

Sometimes ID90's are more expensive than just buying a ticket too.

 

[Weasil]

buying a ticket is almost always cheaper than an ID90 these days.
And ID90s are non-rev standby tickets with very low priority for boarding.

 

[hangar7guy]

Oh...I think I get it. IOW, the "90" is calculated from full fare, whereas anyone can buy some kind of discounted ticket, correct?

 

[Mr Wu]

The ID90 is the full "Y" fare discounted 90%, then add taxes. The Y fare is the most expensive coach fare.

 

[turbinej]

See if the airline you commute on offers ZED fare. It is based on milage and is cheaper that ID 75 or 90.

I know NWA DELTA CONTINENTAL, and many European carriers offer ZED fare.

 

[Coool Hand Luke]

I purchased two ZED's earlier this month for backups. One on Horizon and one on United. I didn't end up having to use them, but the impression I got from the ticket counter was that hardly anyone uses the ID90's anymore, it's all gone to the ZED, which as mentioned is based on mileage. Also as mentioned, you really should check for a regular ticket too, sometimes they are not that much more. How sad is that?

 

[Weasil]

ZED's are fine but for a pilot commuting but why not just jumpseat? Either way you are standby and a jumpseater is free and can sit in the cockpit. ZED is not going to get you higher priority than a jumpseater in most circumstances. If you are trying to make your commute easier by buying tickets, than do just that, buy tickets, don't travel non-rev standby, it's no better than jumpseating.
At US Airways Express (PSA etc..) we used to get free rewards tickets for not calling in sick at christmas and I always used those for commuting around thanksgiving and spring break. Space positive at the busy times of year can make a big difference.

 

[Coool Hand Luke]

Traveling via ZED = no pilot uniform = no problems from our TSA friends.

Traveling via jumpseat = pilot uniform = getting the shakedown from the TSA goons.

Just kidding. Sort of.