With a purchased airline ticket, can I catch an earlier flight onsame airline?

[seversont]

If I have an evening flight on an airline (NWA/Delta in my case), can
I show up at the airport and try to catch an earlier flight on the
same airline without incurring an additional charge?

I purchased a round trip ticket on NWA (now Delta) from Minneapolis to
Sacramento and mistakenly picked the first leg to leave at 9pm and
arrive at 11:30pm. I intended to pick the first leg to leave at 9am
and arrive at 11:30am. I noticed my error 3 days after I purchased the
ticket and called the airline to see if I could change the first leg
from the 9pm flight to the 9am flight. The person from NWA/Delta
listened to my story and then informed me that I had not contacted the
airline within 24 hours of purchase and I would have to pay $110
dollars to change flights.

There are at least 3 NWA/Delta flights leaving from Minneapolis to
Sacramento on the day I plan to travel (the first flight leaves
Minneapolis at 6:45am). I expect this flight will not be full and I
would prefer to reach Sacramento sometime in the morning instead of
around midnight.

I would like to check one bag but I am willing to bring only a carry-
on bag if that would make a difference.

If there is room on any earlier flight, can I show up and get on the
earlier flight without an additional charge?

Your experiences and comments are appreicated. TIA.

[kjw]

>
>If there is room on any earlier flight, can I show up and get on the
>earlier flight without an additional charge?
>
>Your experiences and comments are appreicated. TIA.
>
>
>

It's been a few years since I've flown Delta, but they charged $25 (at
the time) for a confirmed seat. They didn't do a no-charge standby.
I'm sure their website will give you the details you need.

[jrk011]

On Apr 18, 2:26*pm, "severs...@************" <severs...@************>
wrote:
> If I have an evening flight on an airline (NWA/Delta in my case), can
> I show up at the airport and try to catch an earlier flight on the
> same airline without incurring an additional charge?
>

Used to be no problem; did it several times on Delta. However, that
was some years back. In more recent times, they always demanded money,
although the amount varied from $25 to $300 depending probably on the
agent and his/her current mood. I very much doubt it will work for you
although you may be lucky and get charged $25.

jrk

[Quark]

Relevant to this question (but not necessarily to NWA or Delta) I just
learned about Continental's polocy.

24 hours before the flight departure, and within 12 hours of the
(earlier) flight you would like to take, the agent on the phone can
give you a confirmed seat (if available) on the earlier flight for a
$25.00 fee. I did this recently for a dometsic US flight.

If you want to go the airport and take a chance the $25.00 fee is
waived.

Quark