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}
Aug 29, 2014, 10:14 pm
#3886
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: ROA/SHD/LWB/CHO
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold, AA, DL
Posts: 234
Two questions: is there a limit to the number of segments that may be added in one fell swoop, and will checked bags prevent the execution of SDC after the beginning of the itinerary?
I am booked for WLG-SYD-LAX-IAD-SHD, but my ride is no longer available for my late arrival into SHD and I would prefer to SDC to the first IAD-SHD flight the following morning. I realize this would likely create an illegal layover, but I understand this is not a problem once the journey is in process. Could I, at the same time, SDC the LAX-IAD segment to include an additional connection or connections, or would that need to be done separately? Either way, can I add only one stop at a time or could I add more than one?
I'm sure I've seen discussion of checked bags before but I don't remember what the consensus was. I brought three bags here, so there's no way to avoid checking them back in. If having them will prevent me from making changes en route, I'll be sure to do what I can (pending fare class availability) before my first leg takes off.
I am booked for WLG-SYD-LAX-IAD-SHD, but my ride is no longer available for my late arrival into SHD and I would prefer to SDC to the first IAD-SHD flight the following morning. I realize this would likely create an illegal layover, but I understand this is not a problem once the journey is in process. Could I, at the same time, SDC the LAX-IAD segment to include an additional connection or connections, or would that need to be done separately? Either way, can I add only one stop at a time or could I add more than one?
I'm sure I've seen discussion of checked bags before but I don't remember what the consensus was. I brought three bags here, so there's no way to avoid checking them back in. If having them will prevent me from making changes en route, I'll be sure to do what I can (pending fare class availability) before my first leg takes off.
Aug 31, 2014, 10:52 am
#3887
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,661
Hey all,
Need some quick advice, and I'd trust what I get on this board whereas I would not trust the Premier Access line. :-)
Tomorrow I'm flying IAH-ORD-HKG. I have a GPU wait listed from Y-C on the ORD-HKG flight and it is not cleared yet but looks good . . . 18 open business class seats (according to mobile.united.com) and 5 open first. I'm W class so I'll be last on the list of 1Ks, but I am hopeful.
Anyway, it's the IAH-ORD I'm worried about. Right now I'm on the 9:40am flight, which, if running on time will get me in with a 68 minute connection. There is supposed to weather both here and in ORD tomorrow. If I SDC to the earlier flight, at 8:12, will that mess up my GPU somehow? I'm afraid that it will somehow get removed, and then I won't be able to request it again because I'll be within the 24 hour cutoff.
I could standby but I'll have a decent sized roller bag and want to make sure that there is a spot on the plane for it.
Thanks!
Need some quick advice, and I'd trust what I get on this board whereas I would not trust the Premier Access line. :-)
Tomorrow I'm flying IAH-ORD-HKG. I have a GPU wait listed from Y-C on the ORD-HKG flight and it is not cleared yet but looks good . . . 18 open business class seats (according to mobile.united.com) and 5 open first. I'm W class so I'll be last on the list of 1Ks, but I am hopeful.
Anyway, it's the IAH-ORD I'm worried about. Right now I'm on the 9:40am flight, which, if running on time will get me in with a 68 minute connection. There is supposed to weather both here and in ORD tomorrow. If I SDC to the earlier flight, at 8:12, will that mess up my GPU somehow? I'm afraid that it will somehow get removed, and then I won't be able to request it again because I'll be within the 24 hour cutoff.
I could standby but I'll have a decent sized roller bag and want to make sure that there is a spot on the plane for it.
Thanks!
Sep 1, 2014, 5:36 am
#3888
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Wesseling, NRW, Germany
Programs: UA *S , MR LT Titanium, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,940
Just to reconfirm: When my Trip is underway I will be able to create otherwise not permissible stopovers, right? My change would be simple, just take the same Route as Booked just four hours earlier...increasing my layover from 22 to 26 hours.
Thanks for any insight!
Greetings - Dirk
Thanks for any insight!
Greetings - Dirk
Sep 1, 2014, 7:33 am
#3889
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Interesting feature of SDC...
I have a ticket BOS-EWR-IAD. I fly the BOS-EWR segment, then SDC the EWR -IAD. But I get the option to SDC that segment to fly : EWR-BOS-IAD.
So I can now fly EWR-BOS, and SDC the BOS-IAD portion.
Seems I can do this indefinitely.
Ethical!? Not really. It's a loophole UA needs to close.
I have a ticket BOS-EWR-IAD. I fly the BOS-EWR segment, then SDC the EWR -IAD. But I get the option to SDC that segment to fly : EWR-BOS-IAD.
So I can now fly EWR-BOS, and SDC the BOS-IAD portion.
Seems I can do this indefinitely.
Ethical!? Not really. It's a loophole UA needs to close.
Sep 1, 2014, 11:26 am
#3890
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Interesting feature of SDC...
I have a ticket BOS-EWR-IAD. I fly the BOS-EWR segment, then SDC the EWR -IAD. But I get the option to SDC that segment to fly : EWR-BOS-IAD.
So I can now fly EWR-BOS, and SDC the BOS-IAD portion.
Seems I can do this indefinitely.
Ethical!? Not really. It's a loophole UA needs to close.
I have a ticket BOS-EWR-IAD. I fly the BOS-EWR segment, then SDC the EWR -IAD. But I get the option to SDC that segment to fly : EWR-BOS-IAD.
So I can now fly EWR-BOS, and SDC the BOS-IAD portion.
Seems I can do this indefinitely.
Ethical!? Not really. It's a loophole UA needs to close.
Sep 2, 2014, 4:25 am
#3891
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1
I am traveling home from work in Fort McMurray to Washington DC this Thursday or Friday and I would likely route through Calgary then Denver. I have a friend in Denver and I would like to stay the weekend to visit but booking as a stopover would add about $400 to the fair that I couldn't get work to cover. We usually book fully refundable tickets. What would my options be to make this happen? Could I travel from Fort McMurray to Calgary and then request a SDC for just the Denver leg of the flight? Would I then have to go in and do this again Saturday to stay to Sunday (from Denver) or would this be considered too long of a layover? Since I get my bags for customs in Denver could I just recheck them through to IAD when I take the return flight or would I have to let them go through without me (this is not a deal breaker). Since it is fully refundable could I change just one leg of the flight and pay the fare difference myself? Could I do this before the flight or is it best to do during my route to avoid the increased stopover fee and $200 change fee?
I have Gold on United so no checked bag fees or SDC fees so this helps.
Thanks!
I have Gold on United so no checked bag fees or SDC fees so this helps.
Thanks!
Sep 2, 2014, 5:31 am
#3892
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: ROA/SHD/LWB/CHO
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold, AA, DL
Posts: 234
If I'm wrong, I hope somebody will correct me, but I know these things can sometimes be time-sensitive, so I wanted to give you an answer ASAP.
Sep 2, 2014, 7:41 am
#3893
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost*
Baggage will be a problem if you are planning to check. You'll pre-clear US Customs in Calgary, and bags will be checked through to your final destination.
Sep 2, 2014, 8:18 am
#3894
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
If you pay a SDC fee with a MileagePlus explorer card, but paid the original fare with a different card, think UA systems would know enough to give you the free checked bag?
Sep 3, 2014, 7:51 am
#3896
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
If you are receiving your miles for purchases then it is safe to assume your Explorer card is properly linked to your account and you will be able to check a bag for free. As long as the cardholder is the traveler. You can't buy a ticket for someone else and transfer the free bag benefit to them.
Sep 3, 2014, 9:05 am
#3897
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
If you are receiving your miles for purchases then it is safe to assume your Explorer card is properly linked to your account and you will be able to check a bag for free. As long as the cardholder is the traveler. You can't buy a ticket for someone else and transfer the free bag benefit to them.
Sep 3, 2014, 10:04 am
#3898
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SDF
Programs: UA, HH
Posts: 692
Since we are talking about baggage... How does SDC works when baggage is checked? Not allowed at all? OK, since destination is the same?
Sep 3, 2014, 1:14 pm
#3899
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
Later Flight - Original Booking Cancelled?
This question is relevant to both SDC and standby. What if you want to travel on a flight within 24 hours (or same day for standby) that is LATER than your booked flight, and you can't (or don't) make the change until AFTER your booked flight departs - perhaps because space wasn't available?
Isn't your entire booking cancelled, and if so, can you get it back so you can SDC or standby for a later flight?
Isn't your entire booking cancelled, and if so, can you get it back so you can SDC or standby for a later flight?
Sep 3, 2014, 2:10 pm
#3900
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
This question is relevant to both SDC and standby. What if you want to travel on a flight within 24 hours (or same day for standby) that is LATER than your booked flight, and you can't (or don't) make the change until AFTER your booked flight departs - perhaps because space wasn't available?
Isn't your entire booking cancelled, and if so, can you get it back so you can SDC or standby for a later flight?
Isn't your entire booking cancelled, and if so, can you get it back so you can SDC or standby for a later flight?