Penalty for SDC when same fare class isn't available?
Jan 20, 2017, 5:37 am
#31
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When I am staying on the exact same flight, and just want to change my fare to a higher basis, I have NEVER paid a change fee, whether it was from an X fare to an H fare or from a V fare to a P fare (or whatever).
I've done this between two coach fares and also from coach to domestic first without change fees numerous times without even any mention of change fee. Not saying that it is a policy, but it sure felt like it.
I've done this between two coach fares and also from coach to domestic first without change fees numerous times without even any mention of change fee. Not saying that it is a policy, but it sure felt like it.
Jan 20, 2017, 6:15 am
#32
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But you need to look at same day first class fares compared to advanced purchased coach, because that is the fare difference you would be paying for a same day change to F. A search on Delta.com right now for ATL-MSP shows:
Lowest price for same day one-way first class ticket: $486
Lowest price for one month advance purchase coach: $173 (or $153 for an E fare)
Difference is $313 Could be significantly more or less depending on the flight (there were one way same day F fares for as much as $1k and one way advanced Y fares for as high as $550)
Lowest price for same day one-way first class ticket: $486
Lowest price for one month advance purchase coach: $173 (or $153 for an E fare)
Difference is $313 Could be significantly more or less depending on the flight (there were one way same day F fares for as much as $1k and one way advanced Y fares for as high as $550)
Jan 20, 2017, 6:45 am
#33
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IME, when requesting a SDC change online and fare class availability doesn't exist on the desired flight, the online tool charges the $200 ACS fee + any fare difference.
Jan 20, 2017, 7:32 am
#34
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Doesn't make sense to me that, that would be allowed. If everyone did this, then, they could always buy the cheapest ticket for that day, and SDC later to a fare that doesn't exist anymore.
Seems to me that, this is a similar gripe of the Delta apologists who post here about the SDC policy for all F fare buckets, in that, you can buy the cheapest fare available on any old flight that day, then, 24 hours in advance of travel, just choose ANY flight you want!
Seems to me that, this is a similar gripe of the Delta apologists who post here about the SDC policy for all F fare buckets, in that, you can buy the cheapest fare available on any old flight that day, then, 24 hours in advance of travel, just choose ANY flight you want!
Jan 20, 2017, 7:34 am
#35
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Jan 20, 2017, 10:27 am
#36
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In this case, it's being processed as a ticket change, not SDC. For this price, you don't have to wait for the 24 hour window but can make the change any time, or at least any time after the outbound has been flown.
Jan 20, 2017, 10:37 am
#37
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Understood. This is, however, using the online SDC option. When using the online SDC option you are presented with both flights that are eligible and flights that are not. Flights that are not have two options, Stand By or Confirmed. IME, the Confirmed option is the fare difference plus the ACS ($200).
Jan 20, 2017, 11:09 am
#38
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Sometimes you have to do HUCA multiple times. I was ticketed on a DTW/ORD fare today and my fare class wasn't available to ORD but was for a MDW flight I wanted and the diamond desk agent insisted I couldn't SDC for a coterminal and the best she could do was put me on standby for the ORD flight and I could see if the gate agent could put me on the list once I got to the airport.
Called a couple hours later and was told I couldn't SDC into a coterminal and did HUCA and a few seconds later I was on the MDW flight.
If Delta is charging the change fee to buy up to a higher fare class that is pretty low seeing how they screwed us with the SDC changes
Called a couple hours later and was told I couldn't SDC into a coterminal and did HUCA and a few seconds later I was on the MDW flight.
If Delta is charging the change fee to buy up to a higher fare class that is pretty low seeing how they screwed us with the SDC changes
Jan 20, 2017, 12:19 pm
#39
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I was under the impression that the rules were enforced. If I'm on a V fare, I can SDC to another flight with V availability or I can try my luck at SDS .
I never thought one could SDC from a V fare, to, say an X upfare, if X class is available for five or ten dollars more.
Jan 20, 2017, 1:10 pm
#40
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I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about . . . .
I was under the impression that the rules were enforced. If I'm on a V fare, I can SDC to another flight with V availability or I can try my luck at SDS .
I never thought one could SDC from a V fare, to, say an X upfare, if X class is available for five or ten dollars more.
I was under the impression that the rules were enforced. If I'm on a V fare, I can SDC to another flight with V availability or I can try my luck at SDS .
I never thought one could SDC from a V fare, to, say an X upfare, if X class is available for five or ten dollars more.
Jan 20, 2017, 1:12 pm
#41
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ARE you sure you're not clicking change flights, instead of search for other flight options during the OLCI pages?
Jan 20, 2017, 1:14 pm
#42
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As far as I'm aware, virtually all X fares have an advanced purchase requirement. Even if X fare inventory was available, you wouldn't be able to buy a new ticket with an X fare or upfare your existing ticket to an X fare on the day of departure. The lowest fare I've seen without advanced purchase requirements is U, but I'm sure it can vary by market.
Jan 20, 2017, 1:16 pm
#43
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Yes. I don't have a screenshot but have done so a handful of times in the last year and have been presented with both SDC options and pay options, which include the $200 change fee.
Jan 20, 2017, 1:33 pm
#44
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All seems consistent with removing discretion from front-line agents to achieve consistent pax treatment.
In theory, practice is supposed to mirror the published rules and that would be SDC, SDSB or change ($200 + fare difference). An agent seeking to grant a waiver would need approval and to state a specific reason which gets audited.
Reading tea leaves --- start looking at tougher SDC rules over the next year.
In theory, practice is supposed to mirror the published rules and that would be SDC, SDSB or change ($200 + fare difference). An agent seeking to grant a waiver would need approval and to state a specific reason which gets audited.
Reading tea leaves --- start looking at tougher SDC rules over the next year.
Jan 20, 2017, 3:28 pm
#45
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Also, if I cancelled a flight and had a residual credit on the ticket after any penalties, would that mean that I could have access to advance purchase fare buckets after the advanced purchase deadline has passed?