YOUR Airline's Travel Benefits-Details Please and Thank You!

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I'm sure there are a lot of guys in the same boat I am, now that almost everyone is hiring, or will be hiring soon. A lot of us are interested in flying for a bigger/better airline than the one we're at, and we're trying to figure out where to apply.

There are a number of sites that detail the pay situation, work schedules, etc., etc. BUT, it is VERY difficult to find out and compare travel benefits at various airlines.

I would appreciate learning all the details on FAMILY travel (NOT pilot jumpseating/travel):
I'm assuming most airlines let your family (spouse, kids, parents) travel free on your own airline, space available.
I know some airlines have deals where you pay a fee for overseas travel, but you get to ride in a higher class than coach.
I know some airlines have "buddy passes", with different details.
I know most airlines let your family fly other carriers on ID-90s or ID-75s.

Please tell us the airline you work for, and as much detail as you can stand about your travel benefits.

THanx for your assistance!!!

cliff
YIP

PS-I'm at USA Jet, and our families (spouse and kids) can travel for $25 one way/$50 round trip on Midwest, space available.

 

[Freight Dog]

At Aloha, we have unlimited free space-available tickets for immediate family. We also get 12 buddy passes per year to give to anyone - they pay taxes on it.

Interline-wise, most of our agreements are ZED fares (ZED = Zonal Employee Discount), and then some are ID90's.

ZED's are a really good deal. For example, I went from LAX to CDG a few months ago on a ZED and it cost me around $150 round trip.

Your family gets the same privileges for interline travel.

 

[taxicabdriver]

I'm sure you know this already, but with the loads the way they are the non-rev benefits are pretty much useless. Nice to have, but I wouldn't use this as a basis for making any sort of a job decision.

CAL-dependents travel for $25 round trip
buddy passes, I think 10 round trips/year, you pay some sort of taxes, I'd guess about $125 per RT
7 vacation passes a year, free travel and bumps you up on the standy list
something like that, haven't been able to use any of them

 

[AA717driver]

AA's got free travel for family (incl. mom's and dad's) after a certain number of years. We've got D3's that are buddy passes--the price is near what you can get on Expedia only you go standby.

We've got ID90's and some ID20's that, I believe, are positive space but I'll check that out after Aug. 1.

We've got ZED fares, too (again, more research is necessary). TC

 

[CHQ Pilot]

SWA has unlimted travel for you and your dependents (parents incl) from day one on SWA. We have the typical ID90s, ZEDs, etc through the travel department. You also get 4 buddy pass elections per quarter that are essentially free. Like others said, Standby travel can be tough especially between Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The only drawback is that SWA still has paper passes (which should be going away with the next major reservation system upgrade next year). Not too much of a hassle though not as easy as Delta and US Airways (the only others I've really dealt with).

 

[Freight Dog]

Oh yeah... we also get positive space tickets between Hawaii and the Mainland for employees and dependents for $100 each way.

 

[CHQ Pilot]

Oh yeah... we also get positive space tickets between Hawaii and the Mainland for employees and dependents for $100 each way.

That's probably about the best deal I've heard recently!

 

[Lear70]

AirTran:

Free online for immediate family (one set of parents, all dependents). Self-list through computer.

6 Buddy passes per year, usually 2 extra given out during the slow 3rd quarter travel season. $50 bucks each, you submit the form online to the pass department, takes about 24-48 hours to be available in the system.

Passes available on Southwest ($30 round-trip), jetBlue ($30 round-trip), Spirit ($40 round-trip), and other LCC's about the same price. Give 7-10 business days for processing, have to be turned in BY HAND in domicile (ATL) so you have to do it when coming through for work, pick them up in the same place - paper forms.

Various non-rev discounts on most regional airlines, one or two majors. No DAL passes, lost those last year but they were crap anyway, cost several hundred each way. I believe the exception list (who we don't get) is CAL, AMR, UAL, and NWA mainline flights.

Not the best I've ever had,,, Northwest was nice with ZED and free online travel with "vacation priority" upgrades.

As far as not being able to use it? I don't know what you're talking about. I write at least 2-3 sets of Southwest passes every month and they're VERY usable, you just have to pick times that are decent for non-rev travel.

It's free (or nearly so); you're not going to have absolute rights to a seat...

 

[atldc9]

Just to expand on Lear's list, the buddy passes at AirTran are $50 roundtrip plus the taxes, and they can also be done online by the employee.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I've found that non-revving is mostly a matter of attitude. If you think the flights are full, and you can't deal with a non-guaranteed seat, you're not going to do it. If you want to travel and save money, you go and find a way to get it done.

My wife and two kids just travelled on Memorial Day to SAN, with a two-leg trip each way. They got there and back the dates they wanted, and had a great time.

We have saved a lot of money, and would save a ton if I flew for a "real" airline.

cliff
YIP

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I did want to add that the nonrev travel benefits are VERY important to me. In 2006, my CEO spent about $7K on airline tickets.

If I go to a "real" 121 airline with good travel benefits, my CEO and kids will be travelling on a number of trips that would cost approximately $20K if we had to pay for them out of pocket.

So, it's like at least a $7K pay raise for me, and will allow my CEO and kids to travel much more than before.

C U!
cliff
YIP

PS-Good luck to you if you're applying to UAL-the online application process is now open.