SEA1K4EVR
Jul 15, 12, 6:45 pm
I'm in San Juan with a friend who is also 1K. Tomorrow I'm flying SJU-EWR-SEA on a F class award ticket. He is flying SJU-IAD-LAX on a paid ticket in U class..we leave 30 minutes apart. But he has a 3+ hour layover at IAD on his way home..the earlier flight IAD-LAX is full so he cant take that..and his upgrade IAD-LAX will not clear.
I am trying to switch him to fly SJU-EWR-LAX so we can fly together to EWR and he'd have a better shot at an upgrade EWR-LAX.. leaving SJU at 12:30pm on UA222 connecting to UA250 EWR-LAX at 5:39pm. When I do a dummy booking.. SJU-EWR shows U3 and EWR-LAX shows U2. But it does not show up as an option online for SDC.
I called the 1K desk 3 times all with the same result..they said UA250 at 5:39pm is oversold (even though U shows available).. I asked about the 8:50pm EWR-LAX which shows 9's in almost all buckets..the agent said the system will charge the $150 change fee on that one (makes no sense). One rep (a very nice guy but not well enough informed) tried to pull some reasons out of his a** like it's charging me because of the routing change.. I explained that for SDC you can change the routing just not the o/d. The only requirement is the fare bucket must be available..and it is!
So I'm at a loss as to why I can't accomplish this change. There is NOTHING in the SDC rules or FAQ's that exclude flights that are oversold so IMO they should not be denying me the ability to make this change. If they want to exclude oversold flights from SDC then they should either zero out the bucket or exclude it in the rules!
The SDC rules and FAQ's are:
The itinerary must be operated by United**.
The same-day flight change option will be available within 24 hours before your originally scheduled flight. The requested flight can be in any fare class and be departing within 24 hours from the time the request is made.
Changes must be made prior to your original scheduled flight.
When the original ticketed fare class is available within 24 hours of departure, the same-day flight change fee will apply.
When the original ticketed fare class is not available within 24 hours of departure, the same-day flight change fee will apply (instead of the change fee stated in the fare rules) plus any additional collections or refund due.
Changes are only available for the exact origin and destination airport. Connection points may be changed provided the new routing is permitted by the fare purchased.
* Excluding fares that do not allow changes of any kind, such as United Specials and tickets bought through certain wholesale outlets (e.g. where you do not know the identity of the airline until after you buy the ticket).
** Includes flights operated by United and United Express®.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my flight to the day before or after my original flight and qualify for the same-day flight change discounted fee?
Yes, as long as it falls within the rules of the same-day change discounted fee policy.
Can I change my departure or arrival airport?
If you wish to change the departure or arrival airport, the change fee and any applicable fare difference associated with the fare will apply.
Can I change my routing and qualify for the same-day flight change discounted fee?
Yes, when a change can be confirmed, provided the new routing is permitted by the fare and no changes to the origin or destination airports. You may not, however, change routing when standing by.
If I have already checked in for a flight, may I make a same-day flight change?
Yes, if you have not already presented bags for check-in at the airport.
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I standby for my desired flight for free?
No. The only time you may standby for free is when the fare does not have any penalties for making changes, or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity.
If my itinerary has three or more flights, am I still eligible to make a same-day change for the discounted fee?
Yes, but when the itinerary involves three of more flights, the change may only be confirmed by calling United Reservations or with a United representative at the airport.
Can I pay the same-day change discount fee with cash?
Cash will only be accepted by a United airport representative when the change is available to be confirmed, not for standby travel.
If the fare requires a Saturday night stay, can I utilize the same-day change discounted fee to leave early and not stay over Saturday?
Yes, as long as all other requirements are met.
I am trying to switch him to fly SJU-EWR-LAX so we can fly together to EWR and he'd have a better shot at an upgrade EWR-LAX.. leaving SJU at 12:30pm on UA222 connecting to UA250 EWR-LAX at 5:39pm. When I do a dummy booking.. SJU-EWR shows U3 and EWR-LAX shows U2. But it does not show up as an option online for SDC.
I called the 1K desk 3 times all with the same result..they said UA250 at 5:39pm is oversold (even though U shows available).. I asked about the 8:50pm EWR-LAX which shows 9's in almost all buckets..the agent said the system will charge the $150 change fee on that one (makes no sense). One rep (a very nice guy but not well enough informed) tried to pull some reasons out of his a** like it's charging me because of the routing change.. I explained that for SDC you can change the routing just not the o/d. The only requirement is the fare bucket must be available..and it is!
So I'm at a loss as to why I can't accomplish this change. There is NOTHING in the SDC rules or FAQ's that exclude flights that are oversold so IMO they should not be denying me the ability to make this change. If they want to exclude oversold flights from SDC then they should either zero out the bucket or exclude it in the rules!
The SDC rules and FAQ's are:
The itinerary must be operated by United**.
The same-day flight change option will be available within 24 hours before your originally scheduled flight. The requested flight can be in any fare class and be departing within 24 hours from the time the request is made.
Changes must be made prior to your original scheduled flight.
When the original ticketed fare class is available within 24 hours of departure, the same-day flight change fee will apply.
When the original ticketed fare class is not available within 24 hours of departure, the same-day flight change fee will apply (instead of the change fee stated in the fare rules) plus any additional collections or refund due.
Changes are only available for the exact origin and destination airport. Connection points may be changed provided the new routing is permitted by the fare purchased.
* Excluding fares that do not allow changes of any kind, such as United Specials and tickets bought through certain wholesale outlets (e.g. where you do not know the identity of the airline until after you buy the ticket).
** Includes flights operated by United and United Express®.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my flight to the day before or after my original flight and qualify for the same-day flight change discounted fee?
Yes, as long as it falls within the rules of the same-day change discounted fee policy.
Can I change my departure or arrival airport?
If you wish to change the departure or arrival airport, the change fee and any applicable fare difference associated with the fare will apply.
Can I change my routing and qualify for the same-day flight change discounted fee?
Yes, when a change can be confirmed, provided the new routing is permitted by the fare and no changes to the origin or destination airports. You may not, however, change routing when standing by.
If I have already checked in for a flight, may I make a same-day flight change?
Yes, if you have not already presented bags for check-in at the airport.
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I standby for my desired flight for free?
No. The only time you may standby for free is when the fare does not have any penalties for making changes, or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity.
If my itinerary has three or more flights, am I still eligible to make a same-day change for the discounted fee?
Yes, but when the itinerary involves three of more flights, the change may only be confirmed by calling United Reservations or with a United representative at the airport.
Can I pay the same-day change discount fee with cash?
Cash will only be accepted by a United airport representative when the change is available to be confirmed, not for standby travel.
If the fare requires a Saturday night stay, can I utilize the same-day change discounted fee to leave early and not stay over Saturday?
Yes, as long as all other requirements are met.