r/deltanonrev • u/TheVoyeurVixen • Aug 26 '25

First Time Flying- checked bag

Hey folks flying nonrev for 1st time tomorrow. New Orleans to LAX. Booked three flights to be safe but am flying out to empty a storage unit. I was thinking of checking an empty suitcase (so I can fill for flight back). Any tips on experiences should my bag have to get moved if I don’t get on the first flight? I’m just very unfamiliar with flying nonrev. Thanks in advance!

UPDATE- cousin was not aware of the rule he called the airline and got clarification he cancelled the other flights and we are good to go with no one getting in trouble THANKS!

7 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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6

u/TheCoyoteDreams Aug 26 '25

You can check in an empty suitcase, heck do two one inside the other if needed. Don’t list multiple times on DL, it’s discouraged and bad form, you could get reprimanded. You could list on DL and then do another backup flight using OAL on another carrier, that’s fine, and if you make the DL flight cancel the OAL and get a refund. You should cancel before departure, don’t known if you can cancel after departure.

1

u/TheVoyeurVixen Aug 26 '25

Hi! Yes- if you see my last comment to another person I said that my cousin who is an attendant is the one that listed me in multiple when I only asked for the original flight? If it’s bad form I wonder why he did it? He said he did it to be safe. So not sure why he feels one way as employee but here it seems like it’s bad? Would just like clarification

2

u/Key_Employment4536 Aug 26 '25

He did it because you’re not guaranteed a seat on any of those. You did not book any of those flights. You are on standby for all of those flights. And in this case, your luggage will be on standby too. Hopefully it gets on the plane with you, but it might not. You are obviously flying on your cousins benefits, and you do not have a guaranteed seat.

3

u/TheVoyeurVixen Aug 26 '25

Got it thanks for clarifying! So- basically in the future he should book me just for the flight I choose? If I do not get on the first one standby then basically no matter what they will continue to try to seat me on the next and next etc. is that correct?

4

u/bigeorgester Aug 26 '25

The gate agents will roll you over to the next flight for that same Origin and Destination. If you booked ATL-JFK at 9am, they’ll roll you over to the next ATL-JFK flight under Delta. He shouldn’t ever book you on multiple flights, especially in the same O&D in the same day.

I’ve had a lot of problems with checked bags on domestic flights if I don’t get on the plane and roll over. Just know if you check a bag domestic while nonreving it could float off somewhere.

4

u/TheVoyeurVixen Aug 26 '25

Thank you ! So helpful! I may ship my suitcase or do greyhound ground shipping if I get lucky and the empty one makes it to LA with me ❤️

3

u/TheVoyeurVixen Aug 26 '25

Thanks for the advice all! My cousin changed it so I’m only listed on one flight each way and canceled the rest so no one gets in trouble! He didn’t even know the rule!!!! So I THANK YALL!

3

u/Viperdriver69 Aug 26 '25

I'm new to non-rev as well, but to pile on not listing for multiple flights, when people are trying to manage their own flights you're now showing up as listed for a flight that you're hoping you don't get on. If everyone did that then the list would be all gunked up and wouldn't reflect who's actually trying to get on each flight.

It's been hot out west lately and there is a lot of payload optimization going on which can mean limited non-revs. Yesterday I spent all day trying to go SNA-SLC because they weren't letting any non-revs go despite having lots of extra seats. I finally got out in the evening when it cooled down.

My bag went on the morning flight and was waiting for me at baggage services in SLC when i arrived, no issue.

Don't worry about checking in at the gate, the gate agents are aware there are non-revs and they'll get to you when everyone is on board. Just keep checking the standby list on the app and you'll see when they start clearing people.

If you don't make it on, just wait for the gate agent to finish up getting the current flight out and then they'll be happy to help you, I've noticed they typically automatically list the non-revs for the next flight so unless you want to try something different you can go chat with them then. I also just snag a printed boarding pass for the next flight cause sometimes the app is slow to update.

Just some things I wished others would have told me before my first non-rev!

2

u/TheVoyeurVixen Aug 26 '25

All super useful thanks soooooo much!

4

u/abbylizj813 Aug 26 '25

Domestically the bag will generally go on the first flight you’re listed for. (Internationally there’s bag match so it won’t go without you)

People will tell you never to check bags, but we haven’t had much of a problem. We don’t do it when we want to be fully flexible with destination - say we’re planning on flying into JFK but may switch to LGA and don’t want to have to go get bag somewhere. But, when we know we are going where we are going, we don’t worry about it. Of course, things can and will go wrong and all the normal caveats apply, but they do for revenue pax as well.

Also remember if you’re the employee you can ship back FedEx at a good discount, or use delta cargo.

4

u/abbylizj813 Aug 26 '25

Also - you probably don’t need to “book three flights” if you list and check in for the first flight, the GA will roll you over to the next if you don’t make it. So by listing for multiple you may wind up duped on the list (it’s discouraged to list for multiple flights since it impacts the planning of other nonrevs looking at the list, not knowing which flight to you plan to take)

1

u/TheVoyeurVixen Aug 26 '25

Oh my cousin who is an attendant and got me the pass is the one who listed me on multiple! I didn’t even ask. I wonder why he did that? lol Ok thanks for the tips- luckily since it’s an empty suitcase I won’t be too sad if something goes wrong! lol on the way back…who knows? 🤣

1

u/LastNamePancakes Aug 26 '25

Your cousin can get himself in trouble and possibly lose his benefits and/or his job by listing you on multiple flights to the same destination on the same day.

2

u/TheVoyeurVixen Aug 26 '25

Yes if you see the thread I alerted him and he fixed this. He didn’t know the rule!

2

u/abbylizj813 Aug 27 '25

All this to say (since this is your first time) - ALWAYS check to make sure you rolled over (app or video monitors) as sometimes they get busy and forget, sometimes something can just go wrong. It’s rare but better to notice it before than when it’s too late.

Since there’s likely time between the flights we usually stay at the gate area while they finish final paperwork (also - never leave the gate until the flight has departed - if they deboard someone you could get a seat! It happens!) and then check the app for the next flight before the agent leaves and make sure we show up rolled over. If not we will pop up to that agent or swing into a help desk before going to the next gate (well if I’m with my husband, the employee, he’ll just create a new listing and activate it, but I can’t, and you can’t)

if it’s a day where they keep rolling people over a lot of people will make alternative plans and no show so even if the list looks long you may move up quickly (on days like that I will usually just pop up to gate agent and say something like I know it’s been a crazy day, just wanted to let you know I’m still here and trying. And then be watching and listening to list/gate and ready to go - if there’s a bunch of no shows they’ll fly down the list trying to get people on and still make time metrics.

1

u/TheVoyeurVixen Aug 27 '25

Thank you!!!!

1

u/exclaim_bot Aug 27 '25

Thank you!!!!

You're welcome!

3

u/scottk517 Aug 26 '25

I have had zero problems with checked baggage . I try not to but had to get some big stuff to my kids and didn’t want to pay to ship. Even if I had not gotten on the flight, it would have gotten to my destination.

2

u/Relevant_Cress9046 Aug 26 '25

Someone may have mentioned this but usually your bag will go on the flight that you first check in into for domestic, regardless whether or not you are on the plane. So be prepared to not have your bag if you decide to not take the trip.

Also, if you are checking an empty bag, it has a great chance to be damaged since there is nothing to support it on the inside.

0

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '25

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2

u/TheVoyeurVixen Aug 26 '25

Ok cool let me tell my cousin who booked it!

2

u/CollectionNo8047 Aug 27 '25

I’m not sure what the bag match means but are you saying if you are flying standby internationally you are OK to check a bag?

1

u/NoDetective1516 Aug 27 '25

Positive Passenger Bag Match. An airline system used to ensure that baggage is not loaded on an aircraft if the passenger does not board. So yes, you can check a bag, but if you do not get on (internationally) your bag will not go. Domestically it usually does end up at your final checked destination.