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
#3151
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
it's not technically allowed but I would not be surprised if agents might do it anyway. Try it out and report back, please, this would be a very interesting data point.
#3152
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
The reason for the rule seems to be that it can be very complicated to reissue the international ticket with the SDCed segment(s) changed.
#3153
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,857
I said that meant treating a purchased upgrade like a complimentary upgrade, and they insisted that was not that case.
Spent over an hour on two different phone calls. Was ready to give up, but the second agent made it happen I think as a favor.
I am going to send in a question via contact us and will also call customer care. I just want to know the rules. If the rules are what we have been told here, Delta needs to train their agents.
But I'm on board the 777 LAX-ATL up front, so I guess it's good. Thanks for the help and encouragement!
One passenger on board is super cool. He gave up window 10A for the dreaded bathroom seat 10C so a father and son could be across the aisle from each other. ^
David
#3154
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
It was reissued for both segments, and confirmed in RP. I told the agents that it became a confirmed front cabin ticket at that point, and I was repeatedly told that I had to have the coach fare availability and upgrade availability to make the change.
I said that meant treating a purchased upgrade like a complimentary upgrade, and they insisted that was not that case.
Spent over an hour on two different phone calls. Was ready to give up, but the second agent made it happen I think as a favor.
I am going to send in a question via contact us and will also call customer care. I just want to know the rules. If the rules are what we have been told here, Delta needs to train their agents.
But I'm on board the 777 LAX-ATL up front, so I guess it's good. Thanks for the help and encouragement!
One passenger on board is super cool. He gave up window 10A for the dreaded bathroom seat 10C so a father and son could be across the aisle from each other. ^
David
I said that meant treating a purchased upgrade like a complimentary upgrade, and they insisted that was not that case.
Spent over an hour on two different phone calls. Was ready to give up, but the second agent made it happen I think as a favor.
I am going to send in a question via contact us and will also call customer care. I just want to know the rules. If the rules are what we have been told here, Delta needs to train their agents.
But I'm on board the 777 LAX-ATL up front, so I guess it's good. Thanks for the help and encouragement!
One passenger on board is super cool. He gave up window 10A for the dreaded bathroom seat 10C so a father and son could be across the aisle from each other. ^
David
#3155
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL SkyMiles Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 86
Anyone have any experience SDCing with the new SU coding for Comfort+ complimentary upgrades?
Before the change, I've previously SDC'd from a C+ upgrade to a flight with W availability when the underlying coach fare class wasn't available.
Wondering if that will still be possible now that the upgrades are coded as SU or I'll be limited to what the inventory of the underlying coach base fare is.
Before the change, I've previously SDC'd from a C+ upgrade to a flight with W availability when the underlying coach fare class wasn't available.
Wondering if that will still be possible now that the upgrades are coded as SU or I'll be limited to what the inventory of the underlying coach base fare is.
#3156
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL SkyMiles Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 86
OK, I guess I'm 2 days early with this. These don't start till 6/8, my flight is 6/11. My bad.
Anyone have any experience SDCing with the new SU coding for Comfort+ complimentary upgrades?
Before the change, I've previously SDC'd from a C+ upgrade to a flight with W availability when the underlying coach fare class wasn't available.
Wondering if that will still be possible now that the upgrades are coded as SU or I'll be limited to what the inventory of the underlying coach base fare is.
Before the change, I've previously SDC'd from a C+ upgrade to a flight with W availability when the underlying coach fare class wasn't available.
Wondering if that will still be possible now that the upgrades are coded as SU or I'll be limited to what the inventory of the underlying coach base fare is.
#3157
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,889
Cleared RU upgrades do not get the SDC privileges of paid F, so it would be surprising if WU/SU could be SDCed like paid W.
#3158
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL SkyMiles Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 86
Did an agent (or ExpertFlyer search, etc) tell you that the underlying class was not available or were you going by a web site booking? In the latter case sometimes there is inventory available, but it won't be shown for sale because of advance purchase requirements etc.
Cleared RU upgrades do not get the SDC privileges of paid F, so it would be surprising if WU/SU could be SDCed like paid W.
Cleared RU upgrades do not get the SDC privileges of paid F, so it would be surprising if WU/SU could be SDCed like paid W.
#3159
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat-ist, Bonvoyyyyyyed, Hilton $15 Daily F&B Receiver, Food Lion MVP
Posts: 1,203
Anyone familiar with this little number in the fare rules:
THE FARE COMPONENT MUST BE ON ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING ANY DL FLIGHT. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN JFK AIRPORT AND LAX/SFO ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN BOS AND SFO ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS.
Is this new? It seems as though it would prevent an SDC on a F ticket on a route where JFK is an otherwise valid connecting point for C+ and Y. I know folks have SDC'd to D1 in the past on this thread.
THE FARE COMPONENT MUST BE ON ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING ANY DL FLIGHT. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN JFK AIRPORT AND LAX/SFO ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN BOS AND SFO ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS.
Is this new? It seems as though it would prevent an SDC on a F ticket on a route where JFK is an otherwise valid connecting point for C+ and Y. I know folks have SDC'd to D1 in the past on this thread.
#3160
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
Anyone familiar with this little number in the fare rules:
THE FARE COMPONENT MUST BE ON ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING ANY DL FLIGHT. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN JFK AIRPORT AND LAX/SFO ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN BOS AND SFO ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS.
Is this new? It seems as though it would prevent an SDC on a F ticket on a route where JFK is an otherwise valid connecting point for C+ and Y. I know folks have SDC'd to D1 in the past on this thread.
THE FARE COMPONENT MUST BE ON ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING ANY DL FLIGHT. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN JFK AIRPORT AND LAX/SFO ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN BOS AND SFO ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS.
Is this new? It seems as though it would prevent an SDC on a F ticket on a route where JFK is an otherwise valid connecting point for C+ and Y. I know folks have SDC'd to D1 in the past on this thread.
#3162
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
#3163
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 320
I have successfully changed to a routing that does include one of these transcons without problems more than once. eg purchased XXX>DTW>>LAX and SDC to XXX>JFK>LAX. Once, I had an agent tell me there would be some add-collect for additional taxes, but then when all was said and done there was no charge. Unfortunately irrops at JFK are so common, I'll only do this if there's a healthy connect time these days.
#3164
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL SkyMiles Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 86
I just did this both ways over Memorial Day weekend. Thursday changed ATL-SFO to ATL-JFK-SFO and changed SFO-ATL to SFO-JFK-ATL on Saturday.
Thursday took 2 HUACA, Saturday 1st agent did it no problem.
Thursday took 2 HUACA, Saturday 1st agent did it no problem.
#3165
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat-ist, Bonvoyyyyyyed, Hilton $15 Daily F&B Receiver, Food Lion MVP
Posts: 1,203