Trying to plan a SDC...
May 17, 2016, 8:31 pm
#46
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If the fare rules don't prohibit the equipment type but instead impose a surcharge, shouldn't it be possible to pay the surcharge (without a change fee)? Isn't that the way certain flexible fares that have fees for stopovers work, namely that you can change the ticket but if doing so creates a stopover, you just would pay the stopover fee rather than cancelling and purchasing a completely new ticket?
I may be mistaken, but I think the fare rules are somewhat irrelevant when doing a SDC in paid F. The SDC rules generally override. For example, a fare may allow a non-stop DTW-SFO flight, but the SDC rules do not permit you to change to said non-stop flight if your original flight was a connecting flight.
If Bubba's situation is actually a rule, it may be a HI to mainland rule. In the past 6 months I've certainly SDC'd a premium ticket from a standard F seat (quite possibly even an up-fare, I don't keep track of DL's silly shades of F) to one with a flat bed. As established up thread, intent doesn't matter, but I was changing from a day flight to the red eye so I could attend my son's hockey game and not to fly the flat bed seat. I remember it because it was a red eye, and I was thankful for the *slightly* better sleep.
If Bubba's situation is actually a rule, it may be a HI to mainland rule. In the past 6 months I've certainly SDC'd a premium ticket from a standard F seat (quite possibly even an up-fare, I don't keep track of DL's silly shades of F) to one with a flat bed. As established up thread, intent doesn't matter, but I was changing from a day flight to the red eye so I could attend my son's hockey game and not to fly the flat bed seat. I remember it because it was a red eye, and I was thankful for the *slightly* better sleep.
As for the second paragraph, I've absolutely SDC'd to/from flatbeds vs. domestic FC before. Many times. But the automated systems only allow it when the fare rules don't have the surcharge written in (my previous examples of JFK-ATL where the 75S is in play just for repositioning).
May 17, 2016, 11:30 pm
#47
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As for the second paragraph, I've absolutely SDC'd to/from flatbeds vs. domestic FC before. Many times. But the automated systems only allow it when the fare rules don't have the surcharge written in (my previous examples of JFK-ATL where the 75S is in play just for repositioning).
Last edited by El Boocho; May 17, 2016 at 11:36 pm
May 18, 2016, 6:37 am
#48
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Yep, the hypocrisy on this one is rich. But then not everyone thinks clearly before they speak/write.
May 18, 2016, 8:06 am
#49
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Yep, when you check-in online, I think it's on the first page of the process, there are Change/Cancel buttons similar to what you would see on any upcoming itinerary, except when you are into the SDC period it processes it as an SDC. However IME the search for flights when you click "Change" somehow manages to be a lot slower than when you are doing a normal booking, and even after you pick new flights, I'm about 50-50 for it going through successfully or erroring out and then I end up having to call DL anyway. So usually it's easier to just call, as you suggested.
May 18, 2016, 8:56 am
#50
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There is a specific SDC rule prohibiting moving from connections to non-stops, but IME the fare rules do still play a role. For example, an agent override is needed if you're SDCing from a connecting A-B-C itinerary to A-D-C, where D isn't a permitted connection point for your A--C fare.
Regardless, in my experience, I have been able to SDC from ATL-SFO to ATL-JFK-SFO without any problems--agent saw the flights, and put me on them, no manual reissue necessary.
As always, YMMV. But there is no rule against doing this (as much as some people seem to wish there were).
May 18, 2016, 9:29 am
#51
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May 18, 2016, 9:39 am
#52
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May 18, 2016, 9:59 am
#53
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LAX/SFO ---> SDC to ---> LAX/JFK/SFO
. . . . . Maybe I'll try this with a purchased F fare!
Last edited by davetravels; May 18, 2016 at 10:11 am
May 18, 2016, 10:25 am
#54
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We had this debate a while back in the SDC thread. I still believe that the language of the SDC rule trumps any fare specific rules. Others think fare rule trumps SDC rule. (SDC rule being, any open FC seat with no mention of routing restrictions aside from 1-stop to non-stop vs. fare rule sometimes having routing restrictions).
Regardless, in my experience, I have been able to SDC from ATL-SFO to ATL-JFK-SFO without any problems--agent saw the flights, and put me on them, no manual reissue necessary.
As always, YMMV. But there is no rule against doing this (as much as some people seem to wish there were).
Regardless, in my experience, I have been able to SDC from ATL-SFO to ATL-JFK-SFO without any problems--agent saw the flights, and put me on them, no manual reissue necessary.
As always, YMMV. But there is no rule against doing this (as much as some people seem to wish there were).
So based on my (fewish) data points, I believe that officially the routing rules matter, although some agents might either ignore this detail or decide to waive the rule without comment especially when the SDC looks reasonable. I could especially imagine airport agents feeling time pressed or seeing that one was trying to SDC away from flights that were overbooked or likely to need seats due to IROPs and deciding to allow it.
May 24, 2016, 6:20 am
#55
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Figured I would jump back in and share my experience.
After talking to 6 different people including 2 supervisors this morning I was informed that I could not do a SDC period because there was no same fare's available for SDC. I informed all of them that because it is a premium fare class it was a non issue and to read their terms. The last supervisor I talked to informed me I needed to contact delta's corporate customer service to have them correct the rules on the website.
Approximately 4 minutes later I was on with a customer support reservations supervisor and she had waived my SDC fee's, changed my flight and informed me she would be contact the 6 people I spoke to this morning to correct all of them.
From now on I'll just skip the people at the reservations desk and go straight to someone who actually knows something about the product they are supporting.
**edit** after trying to check in it says cannot validate ticket. Now waiting on hold again
**edit #2** Finally checked in. Had to have someone finish the reissue.
After talking to 6 different people including 2 supervisors this morning I was informed that I could not do a SDC period because there was no same fare's available for SDC. I informed all of them that because it is a premium fare class it was a non issue and to read their terms. The last supervisor I talked to informed me I needed to contact delta's corporate customer service to have them correct the rules on the website.
Approximately 4 minutes later I was on with a customer support reservations supervisor and she had waived my SDC fee's, changed my flight and informed me she would be contact the 6 people I spoke to this morning to correct all of them.
From now on I'll just skip the people at the reservations desk and go straight to someone who actually knows something about the product they are supporting.
**edit** after trying to check in it says cannot validate ticket. Now waiting on hold again
**edit #2** Finally checked in. Had to have someone finish the reissue.
Last edited by wesbob; May 24, 2016 at 7:09 am
May 24, 2016, 2:12 pm
#56
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ahhh...MSP...amazing how you are privy to conversations I had with DL (even when you weren't there) in which I asked. The fare rules showed a product differential of $200. I offered to pay it to change it. All seemed baffled that it would not even show as an option. They must have noted the record as I was contacted proactively by DL a few days later (after New Years) apologizing and was then told that there would be a tightening down to not allow SDC to flat bed product from standard domestic F no matter the fare basis. I was on (I believe) an A Fare.
WFBF is the mantra for those that bit** about not receiving a product for which they are unwilling to pay. I happily took my F class recliner to SEA...it was only a 5 hour flight - short by every frequent flyer account. Correct use of WFBBFB would be if I were complaining about not receiving said product as so many on here do.
WFBF is the mantra for those that bit** about not receiving a product for which they are unwilling to pay. I happily took my F class recliner to SEA...it was only a 5 hour flight - short by every frequent flyer account. Correct use of WFBBFB would be if I were complaining about not receiving said product as so many on here do.
May 24, 2016, 2:14 pm
#57
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May 24, 2016, 2:20 pm
#58
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This is just my 2 cents. I personally do not like gaming any system in life - it makes me uncomfortable. Hell I hate/rarely use a SC if I am flying another airline even though I have paid extra for executive membership. It does not feel right. I definitely do not try and game the SDC system. But that is me and each to their own and I will not criticize others for it. When people brag about gaming a system - I have to agree with bubba - it is a loophole that needs to be closed IMHO. 
May 24, 2016, 3:45 pm
#59
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May 24, 2016, 4:50 pm
#60
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Yes I would just like to point out that I am not gaming the system, I am following the rules they put into place. Whats the price differential between my flying 1st on a standard 2 stop and flying 1st in a layflat 1 stop? One could argue it makes more financial sense for delta.
I'm doing nothing more than something uncommon within the rules set forth. I'm pretty sure there is a Tim Ferris quote that goes something like that. I suppose you are probably also the type of person who pays full price for hotels and rental cars to and would be upset with people for using promotion codes for hotels and cars? Looking at the thread more i'm wondering if maybe bubba is fabricating this to dissuade people from attempting this?
I'm doing nothing more than something uncommon within the rules set forth. I'm pretty sure there is a Tim Ferris quote that goes something like that. I suppose you are probably also the type of person who pays full price for hotels and rental cars to and would be upset with people for using promotion codes for hotels and cars? Looking at the thread more i'm wondering if maybe bubba is fabricating this to dissuade people from attempting this?