Feb 27, 2013, 5:45 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This wiki was created to distill SDC (specifically not standby) down to a set of rules in the hopes of benefiting others.
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply almost, and some are more flexible.
Note there have been reports of SDC to one segment removing confirmed CPU upgrades on downline segments. If maintaining the confirmed upgrade is important then these changes should be handled with care.
Most Frequently Asked Question: When do I call/go online to make the change?
Follow this flowchart:
Question 1: Are you within 24 hours of your first originally scheduled UA(*) operated flight that you're trying to change off of? If yes, continue to question 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Question 2: Are you within 24 hours of the first UA operated flight you're trying to change on to? If yes, continue to to answer 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Answer 1: No, you cannot call/go online yet to make an SDC.
Answer 2: If the answer to both questions is yes, then you can call/go online to make an SDC.
General Baseline Rules
These are the general rules that usually apply to SDC's; falling outside these rules usually requires payment of a full change fee and the fare difference:
How to SDC
SDC can be accomplished in a few different places (in rough order of likelihood of being able to get the rules bent):
NB: An SDC where the original itinerary (in one direction) has three or more segments cannot be done online.
Nuances and Loose Rules
Now for the hard part: figuring out where the flexibility is in the rules. This list is compiled from the responses to people saying "Can I do X?" where X is something that is not clearly permitted by the rules. One's likelihood of success here depends a bit on the method used for the SDC.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = possible using any method
A = possible using an agent (phone/counter), perhaps having to HUACA
A* = mixed reports of success with an agent (phone/counter),
N* = possible only if you find a very accommodating agent
N = little or no reported success.
If you encounter issues with an agent (phone or counter/gate), you can ask the agent to reference GG SDC. Additionally, GG SDC line 61 specifically references that fare classes are supposed to level out 3.5 hours before departure, so you might be able to use that to your advantage if fare classes have not leveled out and you're trying to ask an agent to open up the correct inventory or force you onto the flight.
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply almost, and some are more flexible.
Note there have been reports of SDC to one segment removing confirmed CPU upgrades on downline segments. If maintaining the confirmed upgrade is important then these changes should be handled with care.
Most Frequently Asked Question: When do I call/go online to make the change?
Follow this flowchart:
Question 1: Are you within 24 hours of your first originally scheduled UA(*) operated flight that you're trying to change off of? If yes, continue to question 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Question 2: Are you within 24 hours of the first UA operated flight you're trying to change on to? If yes, continue to to answer 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Answer 1: No, you cannot call/go online yet to make an SDC.
Answer 2: If the answer to both questions is yes, then you can call/go online to make an SDC.
General Baseline Rules
These are the general rules that usually apply to SDC's; falling outside these rules usually requires payment of a full change fee and the fare difference:
- The departure time of the first segment of the old itinerary and the departure time of the first segment of the new itinerary must both be within 24 hours of the moment that the change is made.
- The ultimate origin and destination airports must remain the same.
- Routing can be changed (addition, deletion, or change of connection points) but the routing rules of the original fare usually apply.
- All remaining unflown segments in single fared itinerary are considered together (i.e., if you're flying WWW-XXX-YYY-ZZZ, you can go to a kiosk at XXX and potentially fly XXX-AAA-ZZZ or XXX-ZZZ direct).
- SDC can be done an unlimited number of times, and can therefore be used to extend a trip indefinitely (pending availability).
- SDC costs $75 for GM's and Silvers - the fees is waived for Golds and up (plus any applicable fare difference, see below). *G's may also get free SDC, although there is no mention of this in the official rules.
- Non-elites on the same PNR benefit from any waived fees for SDC.
- No fare difference is charged so long as there is availability on all of the new segments in the originally ticketed fare class. Fare class availability in all classes often opens up after T-24 and almost always opens up at T-3 unless the plane is very full.
- SDC on bulk tickets, including United Specials, is not permitted.
- SDC is permitted on both domestic and international itineraries.
- The proposed remaining itinerary must be operated by United or United Express®, and the ticket number must begin with 016. (see nuances below)
How to SDC
SDC can be accomplished in a few different places (in rough order of likelihood of being able to get the rules bent):
- United.com “change flight” link before checking in, within T-24. (Many have reported recently that this has problems and attempts to collect the full fare difference and $200 change fee.)
- "Search Other Flight Options" button during OLCI. (This has spotty availability, particularly if the change would involve paying an additional fare due to fare bucket non-availability.)
- United mobile app
- Kiosk
- Phone
- Counter/Gate (although reports are that most airport agents are not familiar with the SDC policy and may not allow you to SDC to a valid itinerary--you can try to direct them to look up GG SDC, but they often won't understand that what you're trying to do is permitted by those rules)
Nuances and Loose Rules
Now for the hard part: figuring out where the flexibility is in the rules. This list is compiled from the responses to people saying "Can I do X?" where X is something that is not clearly permitted by the rules. One's likelihood of success here depends a bit on the method used for the SDC.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = possible using any method
A = possible using an agent (phone/counter), perhaps having to HUACA
A* = mixed reports of success with an agent (phone/counter),
N* = possible only if you find a very accommodating agent
N = little or no reported success.
- Violating various non-routing fare rules (day/time, minimum stay, etc.): Y
- Change destination to ultra-close airport (e.g. JFK-> LGA; see the old S*FAR/STANDBY): A
- Change destination to a co-terminal (e.g. JFK -> EWR): N*
- Change destination to an entirely different place: N
- Change itinerary at the beginning to include illegal layovers (> 4 hours): N*
- Change itinerary at the layover point (using kiosk, app, or agent) to create an otherwise illegal layover: Y
- Change itinerary at the beginning to add a layover point not permitted by the routing rules: N*
- Change itinerary at a layover point to add another layover not permitted (either in terms of number of segments or routing rules) by the routing rules: Y
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours before or after the original flight: N*
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours before the original flight, if the previous day's flight has been delayed: Y (based on one report)
- Combining separately-fared segments to do SDC (e.g. XXX-YYY+YYY-ZZZ -> XXX-ZZZ): A
- Change UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment to UA metal: A
- Change from UA metal to UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: N (see post 1813 for one exception)
- Change from UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment to a different UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: ??
- Change on a non-UA ticketed segment: N* (with potential dire consequences)
- Change from an upgraded flight into Y on the new flight: A
- Change from a CPU-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available R space on the new flight: N*
- Change from an instrument-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available R space on the new flight: A*
- Non-elite on different PNR benefiting from Elite's waived-fee SDC: A
If you encounter issues with an agent (phone or counter/gate), you can ask the agent to reference GG SDC. Additionally, GG SDC line 61 specifically references that fare classes are supposed to level out 3.5 hours before departure, so you might be able to use that to your advantage if fare classes have not leveled out and you're trying to ask an agent to open up the correct inventory or force you onto the flight.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
Jul 25, 2014, 4:37 pm
#3766
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,017
Mind you that technically within 24 hours they don't have to clear your GPU.
Jul 25, 2014, 10:17 pm
#3767
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,830
i think you are confused, the OP wants to move to a flight with availability in R, so there is no issue in applying under T-24.
Jul 26, 2014, 12:24 am
#3768
Join Date: May 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: UA Premier 1K
Posts: 58
Hi,
I searched the thread and couldn't find an answer to my question.
On Monday, I'm returning to Boston from a weekend in LAS with LAS-IAH-ORD-BOS. LAS-IAH is in E, and IAH-ORD-BOS in A. Booked as a multi-city. Really hoping to SDC to maximize the length of my segments in F, possibly to LAS-SFO (E) SFO-BOS (A) or something similar.
Is this sort of SDC possible/legal? I couldn't find anything about mixed fare itineraries.
Input is greatly appreciated
Thanks,
UATulip
I searched the thread and couldn't find an answer to my question.
On Monday, I'm returning to Boston from a weekend in LAS with LAS-IAH-ORD-BOS. LAS-IAH is in E, and IAH-ORD-BOS in A. Booked as a multi-city. Really hoping to SDC to maximize the length of my segments in F, possibly to LAS-SFO (E) SFO-BOS (A) or something similar.
Is this sort of SDC possible/legal? I couldn't find anything about mixed fare itineraries.
Input is greatly appreciated
Thanks,
UATulip
Jul 26, 2014, 7:19 pm
#3769
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tampa/Orlando
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 109
SDC for Premier Members
Does "no charge" also extend to someone flying with me on the same PNR?
Are there specific routes offered in the same fare class, or is there flexibility in creating your own routing?
I can't believe I just found out about SDC - I wonder what else I haven't been taking advantage of.
Are there specific routes offered in the same fare class, or is there flexibility in creating your own routing?
I can't believe I just found out about SDC - I wonder what else I haven't been taking advantage of.
Jul 26, 2014, 7:28 pm
#3770
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,017
routing must conform to routing rules based on the fare you purchased.
non-premier member usually NOT included in free SDC, but it can be done at the airport w/ the right agent.
non-premier member usually NOT included in free SDC, but it can be done at the airport w/ the right agent.
Jul 26, 2014, 7:51 pm
#3771
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
And premiere doesn't cut it (as title suggests.). Your profile creds say 1k. Gold and higher, correct?
Jul 26, 2014, 7:57 pm
#3772
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,133
Jul 26, 2014, 9:06 pm
#3774
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Hi,
I searched the thread and couldn't find an answer to my question.
On Monday, I'm returning to Boston from a weekend in LAS with LAS-IAH-ORD-BOS. LAS-IAH is in E, and IAH-ORD-BOS in A. Booked as a multi-city. Really hoping to SDC to maximize the length of my segments in F, possibly to LAS-SFO (E) SFO-BOS (A) or something similar.
Is this sort of SDC possible/legal? I couldn't find anything about mixed fare itineraries.
Input is greatly appreciated
Thanks,
UATulip
I searched the thread and couldn't find an answer to my question.
On Monday, I'm returning to Boston from a weekend in LAS with LAS-IAH-ORD-BOS. LAS-IAH is in E, and IAH-ORD-BOS in A. Booked as a multi-city. Really hoping to SDC to maximize the length of my segments in F, possibly to LAS-SFO (E) SFO-BOS (A) or something similar.
Is this sort of SDC possible/legal? I couldn't find anything about mixed fare itineraries.
Input is greatly appreciated
Thanks,
UATulip
What you *may* be able to do is refare in a lower F bucket (Z or P) the whole way, on a more direct routing. Not sure via SFO would count but you'd have to see what is legal for LAS-BOS in that case. Note that many cheap F fares specifically exclude premium routes like SFO-BOS.
Jul 27, 2014, 10:06 am
#3775
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.2MM
Posts: 2,352
Android app and web give same options?
I am going to try a international SDC tomorrow from France. DOn't have easy phone access here so will use Android app or web. Do they offer the same options in general? Is one more reliable or easier to see the most options? Sorry -- didn't see this answered and the number of posts is getting large.....
Jul 27, 2014, 5:20 pm
#3776
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
In practice, routing is not limited to purchased fare.
Non-premier on same PNR IS included.
Jul 28, 2014, 2:19 am
#3777
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.2MM
Posts: 2,352
Trying to SDC my CDG-EWR-SFo to CDG-SFO tomorrow but not offered any options on-line and don't see any change flight button ont he app. does this mean I am out of luck? I am on a P fare and the SFO flight shows a P available. Unfortunately, I do not have phone access here. Anything else I can try?
Jul 28, 2014, 9:36 am
#3778
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
Trying to SDC my CDG-EWR-SFo to CDG-SFO tomorrow but not offered any options on-line and don't see any change flight button ont he app. does this mean I am out of luck? I am on a P fare and the SFO flight shows a P available. Unfortunately, I do not have phone access here. Anything else I can try?
Jul 28, 2014, 9:38 am
#3779
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Trying to SDC my CDG-EWR-SFo to CDG-SFO tomorrow but not offered any options on-line and don't see any change flight button ont he app. does this mean I am out of luck? I am on a P fare and the SFO flight shows a P available. Unfortunately, I do not have phone access here. Anything else I can try?
Or VOIP, of course.
Jul 28, 2014, 10:00 am
#3780
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Trying to SDC my CDG-EWR-SFo to CDG-SFO tomorrow but not offered any options on-line and don't see any change flight button ont he app. does this mean I am out of luck? I am on a P fare and the SFO flight shows a P available. Unfortunately, I do not have phone access here. Anything else I can try?