The Destinations Nonrevs Dread Most

“I’d Rather Just Pay”

It might sound blasphemous in a world where jumpseats and cabin rollovers are a way of life, but even the most seasoned passriders have limits. A recent Reddit thread asked airline employees: “Is there anywhere you won’t non-rev to?” The floodgates opened.

The top reason? It’s just not worth the hassle. Some cities are so difficult to get into (or out of) that even a $0 ticket feels overpriced.

Hot Spots That Are a Hard Pass

Here’s a sampling of destinations that sparked the most frustration in the thread:

• Miami (MIA): The original poster declared that flying MIA from Dallas was harder than London. Full flights, bad loads, and chaotic terminals made this an instant “buy a ticket” route.

• London Heathrow (LHR): High departure taxes, intense security, and chronic overbooking made Heathrow one of the most dreaded. As one commenter put it: “I’ll fly to LHR if I have to, but only as a last resort to get home.”

• Orlando (MCO): Too many strollers, too few seats. Many mentioned avoiding MCO like the plague—especially during school breaks.

• Delhi (DEL): Full flights and limited sympathy for nonrevs. The AA flight to JFK is reportedly often weight restricted and packed.

• Seoul Incheon (ICN): Between limited carrier options, tight loads, and the requirement to have an assigned seat before clearing security, ICN stressed out even frequent Asia flyers.

• Tokyo (NRT, HND), Kyoto (KIX): “Hard to get in, harder to get out.” Several passriders blacklisted all of Japan entirely.

• DFW, SFO, EWR: Domestic U.S. airports weren’t spared. From endless ATC delays to personal tales of theft (looking at you, EWR), the headaches weren’t just international.

Other Red Flags

• Visa Requirements: Some travelers skip destinations that require advance visas, especially if there's a chance they might not even get on the flight. (“I’m not risking a $160 visa for a maybe.”)

• Security Theater: Indian domestic travel got special mention for being overly strict on nonrevs.

• Seat Before Security: Airports like ICN, MEL, and even some in Argentina require nonrevs to have a seat assignment before passing through security. If your seat is pending, you’re stuck landside.

What This Means for Airline Staff

When you’ve got flight benefits, it’s tempting to shoot your shot on any open route. But the reality is: not all airports are created equal.

Knowing which destinations are hard to nonrev to can help you avoid being stuck for days—or worse, having to buy a pricey last-minute return. A few tips:

• Research loads carefully: Use tools like StaffTraveler and FlightStats to gauge your odds before booking.

• Check local policies: Know if the airport requires a seat assignment before security, and whether you’ll face extra taxes or entry requirements.

• Have a backup plan: Always identify alternate airports, especially in regions with strong rail or short-haul links (think LGW vs LHR, or KIX vs ITM).

• Watch seasonal patterns: Some destinations (like Tokyo) might be a nightmare in spring but a breeze in November.

Final Thoughts

So, is there anywhere you won’t non-rev to? Whether it’s MIA chaos or LHR taxes, we all have that one airport where we’d rather just buy the ticket.

What’s your personal “never again” destination—and why?

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