Last edit by: audidudi
This wiki covers basic info and common FAQs. For full terms and conditions, see the relevant DL web page: Same Day Travel Changes
Same-Day Confirmed
To request an SDC, you can
Online SDC does not seem to present all the options available to you, especially when you are SDCing a GAP fare and there is no inventory in your fare bucket. Calling in is best. People have had success with Twitter but that may depend on how "involved" the SDC is.
You can SDC starting 24 hours before your initial departure. You can SDC to any flight leaving the same calendar day. There is a $75 fee for SDC ($50 for tickets issued before March 15th, 2017), waived for GM and higher. This fee, and the waiver, applies for each person, although for GM+ traveling with companion the companion fee is sometimes waived.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (main cabin)?
A. Yes (whether revenue or award ticket). Note there is sometimes inventory in a fare bucket even though it may not be offered for sale on the web site. SDC on V or N (low award) fare is not unheard of.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (Comfort+)?
If booked into W (not WU) there only needs to be an available seat in Comfort+ regardless of fare class.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (First/Business/DeltaOne)?
Q. What about SDC with RUC/GUC/mileage upgrades (that have already cleared)?
As of November 2017:
It is unclear how this affects SDC if you are confirmed in RY/OY.
Q. I have a premium cabin fare, can I SDC to an itinerary with a single-cabin aircraft?
Written reply received from Delta, Dec. 2015:
Q. What about Medallion complimentary upgrades?
A. These do *not* count as premium cabin fares even if you already cleared. The main cabin rules for SDC regarding fare inventory will apply, and if it goes through you will SDC into a main cabin seat (but you are eligible to be upgraded again -- make sure you appear on the upgrade list on your new itinerary)
Q. Can I change the routing/connections?
A. You cannot SDC from a connecting itinerary to a non-stop itinerary. In all other cases the answer is unclear. The SDC rules do not explicitly prohibit routing changes. However ticket fare rules usually contain a clause that additions/changes to connections must be permitted by the fare rules. These are apparently in conflict, and practically speaking it depends on the agent/supervisor you speak with. Some refuse, some allow anything reasonable.
Q. Can I change the origin/destination?
A. Technically no, but there is an unwritten rule that DMs can make co-terminal changes. (There are some unintuitive gaps in what DL considers co-terminal, e.g. DAL and DFW do not count.)
Q. How are SDC flights credited?
A. You will earn MQMs for the route you actually fly.
Q. Can I SDC onto a red-eye later the same day, that connects to a flight the following morning?
A. Yes (though the agent may need to process it manually)
Q. I have a red-eye flight or a flight leaving shortly after midnight; can I SDC to a flight the next day/day before?
A. Officially, no. In practice, some people have reported success (with no real pattern to status). Can't hurt to ask.
Q. Can I SDC on an international itinerary?
A. Officially, no. In practice, you can SDC remaining domestic flights after all international flights have been flown; if you have onward checked bags it is best to do this before you re-check them. There are non-zero reports of SDC of domestic flights before connecting to an international flight but this should not be counted on.
Q. Can I SDC an Alaska Airlines codeshare?
Same-Day Standby
"Same-day standby is only offered if same-day confirmed is not available."
"You can use the same-day standby option for travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and Delta Connection flights."
SDS can be requested 24 hours before your initial departure. GM+ can SDS to any flight departing the same calendar day; others can only SDS for an earlier flight. No routing changes are permitted.
SDS costs$75 ($50 for tickets issued before 15 MAR 2017) but only if you clear the standby list (waived for GM+) SDS is now free for all passengers as of August 4th, 2021
Upgrades are not preserved -- if you already cleared the upgrade on your original flight you must still standby for the main cabin.
Q. Is it possible to get upgraded after a standby?
A. Almost always no, whether because it is explicitly forbidden or because the standby list is processed after the UG list and it is rare for any F seats to be leftover after that happens. So, maybe sometimes?
Same-Day Standby Upgrades
"The same-day standby upgrade option allows you to upgrade your flight for a small fee, provided space is available and your ticket is eligible. This option applies to specific flights and routings [...]"
This is not the same as upgrading after successfully standing by for a main cabin seat (see above).
SDSU fee chart (may be out of date):
All flights within and between the Domestic 48 States and Alaska
All flights to and from Hawaii
All eligible other flights
Same-Day Confirmed
To request an SDC, you can
- Use the Same Day Change function on the Today screen in the Delta app (recommended, but with some peculiarities -- may not show all routings, and if changing to an earlier or later flight will only show the option within 24 hours of the target flight)
- Click the "Change" button during OLCI (after you click "Check in" on the first screen)
- Call a phone agent (recommended if app does not work)
- Use Delta's chat functions via the app (hit or miss)
Online SDC does not seem to present all the options available to you, especially when you are SDCing a GAP fare and there is no inventory in your fare bucket. Calling in is best. People have had success with Twitter but that may depend on how "involved" the SDC is.
You can SDC starting 24 hours before your initial departure. You can SDC to any flight leaving the same calendar day. There is a $75 fee for SDC ($50 for tickets issued before March 15th, 2017), waived for GM and higher. This fee, and the waiver, applies for each person, although for GM+ traveling with companion the companion fee is sometimes waived.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (main cabin)?
A. Yes (whether revenue or award ticket). Note there is sometimes inventory in a fare bucket even though it may not be offered for sale on the web site. SDC on V or N (low award) fare is not unheard of.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (Comfort+)?
If booked into W (not WU) there only needs to be an available seat in Comfort+ regardless of fare class.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (First/Business/DeltaOne)?
Q. What about SDC with RUC/GUC/mileage upgrades (that have already cleared)?
As of November 2017:
* If your original ticket is a Delta OneTM ticket, you may move to any other flight with a premium cabin seat available
* If your original ticket is a First Class ticket, you may move only to other flights with a First Class seat available; you may not move to a flight with a Delta One experience, even if seats are available.
* If your original ticket is a First Class ticket, you may move only to other flights with a First Class seat available; you may not move to a flight with a Delta One experience, even if seats are available.
Q. I have a premium cabin fare, can I SDC to an itinerary with a single-cabin aircraft?
Written reply received from Delta, Dec. 2015:
f the aircraft does not support a First/Business/Delta One cabin you are still eligible to change to the flight as long we are still selling seats on the flight.
Q. What about Medallion complimentary upgrades?
A. These do *not* count as premium cabin fares even if you already cleared. The main cabin rules for SDC regarding fare inventory will apply, and if it goes through you will SDC into a main cabin seat (but you are eligible to be upgraded again -- make sure you appear on the upgrade list on your new itinerary)
Q. Can I change the routing/connections?
A. You cannot SDC from a connecting itinerary to a non-stop itinerary. In all other cases the answer is unclear. The SDC rules do not explicitly prohibit routing changes. However ticket fare rules usually contain a clause that additions/changes to connections must be permitted by the fare rules. These are apparently in conflict, and practically speaking it depends on the agent/supervisor you speak with. Some refuse, some allow anything reasonable.
Q. Can I change the origin/destination?
A. Technically no, but there is an unwritten rule that DMs can make co-terminal changes. (There are some unintuitive gaps in what DL considers co-terminal, e.g. DAL and DFW do not count.)
Q. How are SDC flights credited?
A. You will earn MQMs for the route you actually fly.
Q. Can I SDC onto a red-eye later the same day, that connects to a flight the following morning?
A. Yes (though the agent may need to process it manually)
Q. I have a red-eye flight or a flight leaving shortly after midnight; can I SDC to a flight the next day/day before?
A. Officially, no. In practice, some people have reported success (with no real pattern to status). Can't hurt to ask.
Q. Can I SDC on an international itinerary?
A. Officially, no. In practice, you can SDC remaining domestic flights after all international flights have been flown; if you have onward checked bags it is best to do this before you re-check them. There are non-zero reports of SDC of domestic flights before connecting to an international flight but this should not be counted on.
Q. Can I SDC an Alaska Airlines codeshare?
"Same-day standby is only offered if same-day confirmed is not available."
"You can use the same-day standby option for travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and Delta Connection flights."
SDS can be requested 24 hours before your initial departure. GM+ can SDS to any flight departing the same calendar day; others can only SDS for an earlier flight. No routing changes are permitted.
SDS costs
Upgrades are not preserved -- if you already cleared the upgrade on your original flight you must still standby for the main cabin.
Q. Is it possible to get upgraded after a standby?
A. Almost always no, whether because it is explicitly forbidden or because the standby list is processed after the UG list and it is rare for any F seats to be leftover after that happens. So, maybe sometimes?
Same-Day Standby Upgrades
"The same-day standby upgrade option allows you to upgrade your flight for a small fee, provided space is available and your ticket is eligible. This option applies to specific flights and routings [...]"
This is not the same as upgrading after successfully standing by for a main cabin seat (see above).
SDSU fee chart (may be out of date):
All flights within and between the Domestic 48 States and Alaska
Code:
Traveling Y/B/M Fares S/H/Q/K/L Fares U/T/X/V Fares 0 to 500 miles $49 $119 $169 501 to 1,000 miles $79 $149 $199 1,001 to 1,500 miles $99 $209 $259 1,501 to 2,000 miles $149 $249 $319 2,001 to 3,000 miles $239 $269 $359 3,001 miles and up $329 $369 $399
Code:
Traveling Y/B/M Fares S/H/Q/K/L Fares U/T/X/V Fares 2,001 to 3,000 miles $239 $269 $359 3,001 miles and up $329 $369 $399
Code:
Traveling Y / B / M / H / Q / K Fares 0 to 500 miles $50 501 to 1,000 miles $75 1,001 to 1,500 miles $100 1,501 to 2,000 miles $150 2,001 to 3,000 miles $225 3,001 miles and up $350
Same-day confirmed and same-day standby options
#1696
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I did a search of this thread but am not clear on how far out the standby window is open.
We are expecting enough snow on Monday that going to the airport at 4 am Tuesday morning will be a problem. I would like to go to ATL Monday night then pick up ticketed flights on Tuesday that take me to YVR.
I called DL and they said I could not go to the airport on Monday to standby for a flight that is within 24 hours of my ticketed flight (6 am, paid FC). Can anyone tell me what really happens when one ventures out to the airport in this scenario?
We are expecting enough snow on Monday that going to the airport at 4 am Tuesday morning will be a problem. I would like to go to ATL Monday night then pick up ticketed flights on Tuesday that take me to YVR.
I called DL and they said I could not go to the airport on Monday to standby for a flight that is within 24 hours of my ticketed flight (6 am, paid FC). Can anyone tell me what really happens when one ventures out to the airport in this scenario?
Additionally, requests for SDC/SDS can only once you are less than 24 hours from your original departure time. So for your 6am Tuesday flight, you cannot even make the request for SDC/SDS until 6am Monday, and the flight you request must be some other flight on Tuesday.
Since your concerns are WX related, your options are:
a) Pay a change fee/fare difference and change the flight outright
b) Wait and see if a weather waiver is issued, then use that to make the changes (though, if there were to be one for Tuesday, it likely would have been issued by now)
c) If it's not much of an inconvenience, just show up at the airport on Monday and hope that a TA takes pity on you. But them doing so is somewhat unlikely and this would certainly be outside the rules of SDC/SDS.
#1697
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
I have already looked at A and discounted it due to the cost.
There will not be a weather bulletin (B) for OKC but I am just working on my knowledge of road conditions here given the projected weather (snow + temp).
I was hoping someone had tried C and knew what actually happened. If this is doomed to failure then I could look at that little hotel near the OKC airport that would position me well for the 6 am flight which would be where I ended up if I tried C and it failed.
There will not be a weather bulletin (B) for OKC but I am just working on my knowledge of road conditions here given the projected weather (snow + temp).
I was hoping someone had tried C and knew what actually happened. If this is doomed to failure then I could look at that little hotel near the OKC airport that would position me well for the 6 am flight which would be where I ended up if I tried C and it failed.
#1698
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I have already looked at A and discounted it due to the cost.
There will not be a weather bulletin (B) for OKC but I am just working on my knowledge of road conditions here given the projected weather (snow + temp).
I was hoping someone had tried C and knew what actually happened. If this is doomed to failure then I could look at that little hotel near the OKC airport that would position me well for the 6 am flight which would be where I ended up if I tried C and it failed.
There will not be a weather bulletin (B) for OKC but I am just working on my knowledge of road conditions here given the projected weather (snow + temp).
I was hoping someone had tried C and knew what actually happened. If this is doomed to failure then I could look at that little hotel near the OKC airport that would position me well for the 6 am flight which would be where I ended up if I tried C and it failed.
#1699
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
Earlier today I looked for the "red-eye" midnight to 2 AM and it's no longer in the SDC rules. My guess is that it got abused and is now gone.
#1700
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
That said, it also says this:
"Award Tickets are same-day confirmed eligible."
My simple answer is - "Yeah, right!"
There's basically ZERO "LOW" level "Y" availability less than 21 days out. "F" might work, since you just need a single seat in the same cabin.
#1701
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
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Posts: 21,371
SDC for award F is just like SDC for revenue F (free for DM/PM/GM, $50 for FO and non-status)
#1702
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
#1704
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: DL DM/MM
Posts: 2,272
Quick clarification questions:
1) If I am confirmed into F with an RUC, can I SDC onto any other flight that day as long as there is a FC seat available?
2) I'm assuming that original fare class and UG inventory (i.e., RP/OP class) doesn't necessarily need to be available on the flight that I want to SDC onto. Is this correct?
3) Also, is it possible to SDC from a connecting flight to a non-stop flight if there are FC seats still available? Again, this is assuming that my RUC has cleared in advance. Thanks a ton!
1) If I am confirmed into F with an RUC, can I SDC onto any other flight that day as long as there is a FC seat available?
2) I'm assuming that original fare class and UG inventory (i.e., RP/OP class) doesn't necessarily need to be available on the flight that I want to SDC onto. Is this correct?
3) Also, is it possible to SDC from a connecting flight to a non-stop flight if there are FC seats still available? Again, this is assuming that my RUC has cleared in advance. Thanks a ton!
#1705
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
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Posts: 15,193
Correct, if you are confirmed in first using an upgrade instrument then you can switch to another flight as long as there is a seat available. However, you may get some agents who do not understand the rules properly and insist that you need OP/RP availability on the new flight which is incorrect, you just need F>0.
SDC from connecting to non-stop will be another crapshoot... supposedly some rules changed so thats not allowed, but many people are still able to switch from connecting to direct.
SDC from connecting to non-stop will be another crapshoot... supposedly some rules changed so thats not allowed, but many people are still able to switch from connecting to direct.
#1706
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,404
If you have a broken fare or if your fare rules do not allow the nonstop, you won't be able to change from the connection to the nonstop. Otherwise, your luck may be better.
#1707
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: DL DM/MM
Posts: 2,272
For some reason, I was under the impression that if my RUC clears on all my segments in advance, then I could SDC into FC on another flight provided that there was at least one FC seat for sale. After speaking with DM CSRs, they said that this wasn't possible. More specifically, there needed to be the same coach fare class available to SDC onto an earlier/later flight before any consideration is made regarding RP availability on the new flight.
Were these DM agents mistaken? (I'm secretly hoping yes...)
Were these DM agents mistaken? (I'm secretly hoping yes...)
#1709
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: DL DM/MM
Posts: 2,272
Even though I shouldn't have to be doing this, but where do I tell them to look up this information? I talked to two separate DM CSRs, and both said the same thing. Even DL.com is unclear about this. It's incredibly frustrating.
#1710
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-benefits.html
"To make a same-day confirmed change when booked in our premium cabins -- including BusinessElite®, First and Business Class -- you may make a same-day confirmed change as long as a seat is available in the premium cabin."
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-premium-.html
Long explanation, it says that SDC in F doesn't apply to "tickets booked using Unlimited Complimentary Medallion Upgrades." which would seem to imply that it did to tickets paid partially with an upgrade instrument.
"To make a same-day confirmed change when booked in our premium cabins -- including BusinessElite®, First and Business Class -- you may make a same-day confirmed change as long as a seat is available in the premium cabin."
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-premium-.html
Long explanation, it says that SDC in F doesn't apply to "tickets booked using Unlimited Complimentary Medallion Upgrades." which would seem to imply that it did to tickets paid partially with an upgrade instrument.