Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > United Airlines | MileagePlus
Reload this Page >

UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}

Old Feb 27, 2013, 5:45 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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:
  • 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)
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.
  • 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
Print Wikipost

UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}

Old Oct 30, 2014, 1:05 pm
  #4201  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Originally Posted by blueman2
Doing SFO-FLL search. I am looking SFO-EWR at 11:11am, then EWR-FLL at 9:10pm departure. Later shows G2, they say G0.
Tomorrow, I assume? EF says G0 on both:

UA 994 0 SFO
10/31/14 11:11 AM EWR
10/31/14 7:45 PM 320
F1 C0 A0 D0 Z0 P0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W8 S7 T6 L2 K2 G0 N0


UA 1682 0 EWR
10/31/14 9:10 PM FLL
11/01/14 12:17 AM 738
F1 C0 A0 D0 Z0 P0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W8 S7 T6 L2 K2 G0 N0

It should level out closer to departure, at the latest T-3.
qasr is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2014, 1:05 pm
  #4202  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Originally Posted by blueman2
Doing SFO-FLL search. I am looking SFO-EWR at 11:11am, then EWR-FLL at 9:10pm departure. Later shows G2, they say G0.
Tomorrow, I assume? EF says G0 on both:

UA 994 0 SFO
10/31/14 11:11 AM EWR
10/31/14 7:45 PM 320
F1 C0 A0 D0 Z0 P0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W8 S7 T6 L2 K2 G0 N0


UA 1682 0 EWR
10/31/14 9:10 PM FLL
11/01/14 12:17 AM 738
F1 C0 A0 D0 Z0 P0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W8 S7 T6 L2 K2 G0 N0

It should level out closer to departure, at the latest T-3.
qasr is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2014, 1:06 pm
  #4203  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Originally Posted by qasr
Tomorrow, I assume? EF says G0 on both:

UA 994 0 SFO
10/31/14 11:11 AM EWR
10/31/14 7:45 PM 320
F1 C0 A0 D0 Z0 P0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W8 S7 T6 L2 K2 G0 N0


UA 1682 0 EWR
10/31/14 9:10 PM FLL
11/01/14 12:17 AM 738
F1 C0 A0 D0 Z0 P0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W8 S7 T6 L2 K2 G0 N0

It should level out closer to departure, at the latest T-3.
You could also just upfare to K. You'll need to call, but the difference is as little as $7 according to EF.
qasr is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2014, 1:12 pm
  #4204  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
Well this is odd. united.com shows this:

Oct 31 UA944: Available Cabins: F1 A1 JN1 C1 D1 Z0 ZN0 P0 PN0 R0 RN0 IN0 I0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9 G9 N9 XN9 X9
Oct 31 UA1682: Available Cabins: F5 A5 JN5 C5 D5 Z5 ZN5 P5 PN4 R0 RN0 IN0 I0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T7 L7 K6 G2 N0 XN1 X0

Where are you finding this? Odd is that they say plenty of G on UA944, whereas yours shows no G. So all 3 of our answers are different.

Originally Posted by qasr
Tomorrow, I assume? EF says G0 on both:

UA 994 0 SFO
10/31/14 11:11 AM EWR
10/31/14 7:45 PM 320
F1 C0 A0 D0 Z0 P0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W8 S7 T6 L2 K2 G0 N0


UA 1682 0 EWR
10/31/14 9:10 PM FLL
11/01/14 12:17 AM 738
F1 C0 A0 D0 Z0 P0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W8 S7 T6 L2 K2 G0 N0

It should level out closer to departure, at the latest T-3.
blueman2 is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2014, 1:18 pm
  #4205  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Originally Posted by blueman2
Well this is odd. united.com shows this:

Oct 31 UA944: Available Cabins: F1 A1 JN1 C1 D1 Z0 ZN0 P0 PN0 R0 RN0 IN0 I0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9 G9 N9 XN9 X9
Oct 31 UA1682: Available Cabins: F5 A5 JN5 C5 D5 Z5 ZN5 P5 PN4 R0 RN0 IN0 I0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T7 L7 K6 G2 N0 XN1 X0

Where are you finding this? Odd is that they say plenty of G on UA944, whereas yours shows no G. So all 3 of our answers are different.
Well, here it is from EF, by segment:

UA 994 0 SFO
10/31/14 11:11 AM EWR
10/31/14 7:45 PM 320
F1 C1 A1 D1 Z0 P0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V8 W8 S8 T8 L5 K5 G5 N4

UA 1682 0 EWR
10/31/14 9:10 PM FLL
11/01/14 12:17 AM 738
F4 C4 A4 D4 Z4 P4 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T6 L6 K5 G1 N0

so... that is closer. seems united.com isn't showing married segments properly.
qasr is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2014, 1:36 pm
  #4206  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
Originally Posted by qasr
Well, here it is from EF, by segment:

UA 994 0 SFO
10/31/14 11:11 AM EWR
10/31/14 7:45 PM 320
F1 C1 A1 D1 Z0 P0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V8 W8 S8 T8 L5 K5 G5 N4

UA 1682 0 EWR
10/31/14 9:10 PM FLL
11/01/14 12:17 AM 738
F4 C4 A4 D4 Z4 P4 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T6 L6 K5 G1 N0

so... that is closer. seems united.com isn't showing married segments properly.
I have called UA 3 times now, and each time they have very different numbers for available G on these 2 segments. More HUCA.....
blueman2 is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2014, 2:54 pm
  #4207  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Originally Posted by blueman2
I have called UA 3 times now, and each time they have very different numbers for available G on these 2 segments. More HUCA.....
I keep calling up and buying G tickets just to spite you.
qasr is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2014, 4:08 pm
  #4208  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
Originally Posted by qasr
I keep calling up and buying G tickets just to spite you.
Touch!
blueman2 is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2014, 4:16 pm
  #4209  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 4,044
Originally Posted by qasr
This is correct, since it is the "return" of your trip. In that case, you need to finish the outbound.
which was odd to me since i originally booked it as DEN-SFO and then SFO-SEA-DEN. another .bomb error i suppose.

funny thing is. i had an agent on the phone who was almost able to SDC me to SFO-SNA-IAH-DEN. but the IAH-DEN segment did not have N availability.
haddon90 is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2014, 10:29 pm
  #4210  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
I had a very strange conversation with agent tonight on a SFO-EWR-FLL reservation I was changing. She said she is putting a note in my record to not allow any further SDCs going through EWR for this trip. Reason was that she said EWR is not a legal connection from SFO-FLL (even though UA.com shows it as valid). She also said "I can see you have made prior changes, which we will not allow any further of".

Very strange. She was either just in a nasty mood, or there is some new rule for SDC I am not yet aware of.

p.s. I should add, however, that she allowed a 4:20 layover which is not really legal. But she seemed unaware of that issue entirely.

Last edited by blueman2; Oct 30, 2014 at 11:03 pm
blueman2 is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2014, 3:28 am
  #4211  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
Originally Posted by blueman2
I had a very strange conversation with agent tonight on a SFO-EWR-FLL reservation I was changing. She said she is putting a note in my record to not allow any further SDCs going through EWR for this trip. Reason was that she said EWR is not a legal connection from SFO-FLL (even though UA.com shows it as valid). She also said "I can see you have made prior changes, which we will not allow any further of".

Very strange. She was either just in a nasty mood, or there is some new rule for SDC I am not yet aware of.

p.s. I should add, however, that she allowed a 4:20 layover which is not really legal. But she seemed unaware of that issue entirely.
No new rule, just an agent who believes it's their duty to impose their idea of what's right on you.

I've had ones say this to me, and this is why I really always try to use the automated SDC tools whenever possible. Phone agents should be a last resort. Too much danger of them trying to make up false excuses and annotate your record.
jackal is online now  
Old Oct 31, 2014, 8:57 am
  #4212  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Hamburg
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Titanium, Hertz - President's Circle
Posts: 155
Originally Posted by jackal
No new rule, just an agent who believes it's their duty to impose their idea of what's right on you.

I've one say this to me, and this is why I really always try to use the automated SDC tools whenever possible. Phone agents should be a last resort. Too much danger of them trying to make up false excuses and annotate your record.
I've had one agent do this to me last winter when I was stuck in LA because of east coast weather. After I'd made a change due to IRROPS then later decided that I wanted to take a different flight. No biggie...IRROPS situation and my bucket was available. Agent must have been having a bad day, she noted my record that no further changes were to be allowed, after she'd made the change I'd requested.

So, to echo what Jackal said, I always go to the app first, then online and as a last resort, I call.
craigsnyc is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2014, 8:58 am
  #4213  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Hamburg
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Titanium, Hertz - President's Circle
Posts: 155
I'm also surprised...

That an agent did that to a 1K!
craigsnyc is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2014, 9:50 am
  #4214  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
Originally Posted by blueman2
I had a very strange conversation with agent tonight on a SFO-EWR-FLL reservation I was changing. She said she is putting a note in my record to not allow any further SDCs going through EWR for this trip. Reason was that she said EWR is not a legal connection from SFO-FLL (even though UA.com shows it as valid). She also said "I can see you have made prior changes, which we will not allow any further of".

Very strange. She was either just in a nasty mood, or there is some new rule for SDC I am not yet aware of.

p.s. I should add, however, that she allowed a 4:20 layover which is not really legal. But she seemed unaware of that issue entirely.
As if an EWR connection is somehow a special treat

Had you made prior changes to the itinerary?

There are a handful of mean and nasty agents out there. UA really ought to get rid of them, they do incalculable harm to its image.
Kacee is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2014, 10:48 am
  #4215  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
Originally Posted by jackal
Phone agents should be a last resort. Too much danger of them trying to make up false excuses and annotate your record.
Originally Posted by craigsnyc

So, to echo what Jackal said, I always go to the app first, then online and as a last resort, I call.
Originally Posted by Kacee
Had you made prior changes to the itinerary?
Yeah, good points. I was forced to call because online would not give any options using IOS app, Android App, or PC app. This was my second agent change for this record. So they must be able to see that somehow.

Yet today I was able to make one more final tweak using online Android App with no problems. So the advice to always use the online app (when possible) is really important. In the future, I will avoid using agent unless an emergency.
blueman2 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.