Jan 4, 2015, 2:01 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This wiki was created to distill SDC (and related 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, 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 currently 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: 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):
Please note that the United.com “change flight” link before checking in within T-24, is broken. The website may not show all available options and will often attempt to collect the change fee rather than the SDC fee (if any).
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 = officially permitted and possible using any method
A = not permitted but perhaps 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.
Note -- as of 11/27/2017: A datapoint indicates that UA may have updated its GG rule regarding leveling out to state the following:
Standby
You may stand by if seats are not available in the purchased fare class. In these cases, the same-day change fee will apply, but will not be charged unless you are assigned a seat on your alternate flight. Changes in routing are not allowed when standing by. Standby may be requested on the day of departure at an airport kiosk or with a United representative at the airport. Once you are added to the flight standby list, you can check your real-time standby status at united.com/flightstatus or on your mobile device at mobile.united.com/info.
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I stand by for my desired flight for free?
No. The only time you may standby for free is when the fare does not have any penalties for making changes, or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity.
Can I pay the same-day change discount fee with cash?
Cash will only be accepted by a United airport representative when the change is available to be confirmed, not for standby travel.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
Previous threads:
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply, 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 currently 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: 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.
- Only applies to UA/UX operated flights, domestic or international. Changing from a non-UA operated to UA operated may be possible.
- 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 Members and Silvers - the fee 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. Once in-route, fees for an earlier connecting flight may be waived per GG SDC Line 118.
- 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.
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 mobile app
- Kiosk
- Phone
- On united.com, right now only the "Search Other Flight Options" button during On-Line Check-In (OLCI) works. This has spotty availability, particularly if the change would involve paying an additional fare due to fare bucket non-availability.
- 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 = officially permitted and possible using any method
A = not permitted but perhaps 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 (see the old S*FAR/STANDBY): A
- Change destination to a co-terminal: 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: Y
- Change from a GPU-upgraded flight into J/F 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
- Change at origin airport after tendering a checked bag: N
- Change at layover airport when a bag has been checked: N
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.
Note -- as of 11/27/2017: A datapoint indicates that UA may have updated its GG rule regarding leveling out to state the following:
Code:
EVERYDAY AWARD AND REVENUE BUCKETS ARE TO LEVEL OUT WITHIN 2H OF DEPARTURE
You may stand by if seats are not available in the purchased fare class. In these cases, the same-day change fee will apply, but will not be charged unless you are assigned a seat on your alternate flight. Changes in routing are not allowed when standing by. Standby may be requested on the day of departure at an airport kiosk or with a United representative at the airport. Once you are added to the flight standby list, you can check your real-time standby status at united.com/flightstatus or on your mobile device at mobile.united.com/info.
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I stand by for my desired flight for free?
No. The only time you may standby for free is when the fare does not have any penalties for making changes, or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity.
Can I pay the same-day change discount fee with cash?
Cash will only be accepted by a United airport representative when the change is available to be confirmed, not for standby travel.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
Previous threads:
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions (with Wiki) {Archive}
Jan 16, 2013, 8:04 am
#31
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 334
Correct.
Nope.
The official rules are quite clear:
Like many others I have had success over the past year changing airports as part of the process, both with and without IRROPs circumstances. But I know every time that it is more than the rules entitle me to.
Nope.
The official rules are quite clear:
Like many others I have had success over the past year changing airports as part of the process, both with and without IRROPs circumstances. But I know every time that it is more than the rules entitle me to.
I attempted to SDC a CLE-EWR to and earlier CLE-LGA, when there was no weather exception or delay on my original routing. Was told no dice, despite being GS.
Jan 16, 2013, 9:11 am
#32
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Posts: 9,582
Would/ why wouldn't SAN/CLD qualify? If I was flying XXX-LAX-CLD, could I change it to LAX-SAN or vv?
Jan 16, 2013, 11:21 am
#33
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
The old (PMUA) definition of multi-citi airports (from http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...AR/COTERMINALS ) is :
------------------- MULTI AIRPORT CITIES --------
MULTI AIRPORT CITIES ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
- WAS: IAD/DCA
- NYC: JFK/LGA
- CHI: ORD/MDW
WHEN A FARE RULE STATES THAT FLIGHT/DATE CHANGES MAY BE MADE WITHOUT CHANGE IN ORIGIN/DESTINATION/STOPOVER POINTS - THE MULTI AIRPORT CITIES (I.E. IAD/DCA OR JFK/ LGA OR ORD/MDW) ARE ALLOWABLE FOR CHANGES.
HOWEVER IF THE FARE IS DIFFERENT DUE TO AIRPORT-SPECIFIC FARES: THE FARE MUST BE RECALCULATED. ANY OTHER CHANGE TO ORIGIN/DESTINATION/STOPOVER WILL BE CONSIDERED A RE-ROUTE.
MULTI AIRPORT CITIES ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
- WAS: IAD/DCA
- NYC: JFK/LGA
- CHI: ORD/MDW
WHEN A FARE RULE STATES THAT FLIGHT/DATE CHANGES MAY BE MADE WITHOUT CHANGE IN ORIGIN/DESTINATION/STOPOVER POINTS - THE MULTI AIRPORT CITIES (I.E. IAD/DCA OR JFK/ LGA OR ORD/MDW) ARE ALLOWABLE FOR CHANGES.
HOWEVER IF THE FARE IS DIFFERENT DUE TO AIRPORT-SPECIFIC FARES: THE FARE MUST BE RECALCULATED. ANY OTHER CHANGE TO ORIGIN/DESTINATION/STOPOVER WILL BE CONSIDERED A RE-ROUTE.
Which means that, under this definition at least, changing between LGA and JFK doesn't change the "exact origin and destination airport".
I have no idea if the above definition is still current, but I did have zero problems changing from LAX-JFK to LAX-IAH-LGA just over a week ago in order to get on the 787 lAX-IAH. No idea if this was just someone bending the rules or not, but based on the above definitions it seems like a valid change.
Jan 21, 2013, 12:04 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Oxfordshire
Programs: UA 1K MM, BA Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 149
Well just to close the loop, loosely speaking, on this:
I did attempt to do the EWR->JFK swap yesterday in person at the SFO GS desk. After some very limited discussion between the 2 agents at the desk, they stated that because it was a p.s. flight I wanted to change to, they could not do the change as SDC and would need to re-ticket (>$450).
I wish I had had the time to "agent shop" on the GS phone-line ahead of time as I got the sense that they were not entirely clear on the regs and that more cooperative agents may have allowed the change to happen.
Thanks to all for all your input on this.
I did attempt to do the EWR->JFK swap yesterday in person at the SFO GS desk. After some very limited discussion between the 2 agents at the desk, they stated that because it was a p.s. flight I wanted to change to, they could not do the change as SDC and would need to re-ticket (>$450).
I wish I had had the time to "agent shop" on the GS phone-line ahead of time as I got the sense that they were not entirely clear on the regs and that more cooperative agents may have allowed the change to happen.
Thanks to all for all your input on this.
Jan 21, 2013, 9:03 pm
#35
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: 1P, AA EXP, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,491
Well just to close the loop, loosely speaking, on this:
I did attempt to do the EWR->JFK swap yesterday in person at the SFO GS desk. After some very limited discussion between the 2 agents at the desk, they stated that because it was a p.s. flight I wanted to change to, they could not do the change as SDC and would need to re-ticket (>$450).
I wish I had had the time to "agent shop" on the GS phone-line ahead of time as I got the sense that they were not entirely clear on the regs and that more cooperative agents may have allowed the change to happen.
Thanks to all for all your input on this.
I did attempt to do the EWR->JFK swap yesterday in person at the SFO GS desk. After some very limited discussion between the 2 agents at the desk, they stated that because it was a p.s. flight I wanted to change to, they could not do the change as SDC and would need to re-ticket (>$450).
I wish I had had the time to "agent shop" on the GS phone-line ahead of time as I got the sense that they were not entirely clear on the regs and that more cooperative agents may have allowed the change to happen.
Thanks to all for all your input on this.
Sep 8, 2014, 10:21 am
#36
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
Standby on Award Tickets?
With saver award tickets, primarily on domestic itineraries, is there any problem standing by for flights where there is no saver award space, and being accommodated on those flights? If added to the standby list, do you clear by status level?
I assume this doesn't work for SDC unless saver award space opens up, right?
I assume this doesn't work for SDC unless saver award space opens up, right?
Sep 8, 2014, 11:28 am
#37
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Nexus, GE
Posts: 2,123
With saver award tickets, primarily on domestic itineraries, is there any problem standing by for flights where there is no saver award space, and being accommodated on those flights? If added to the standby list, do you clear by status level?
I assume this doesn't work for SDC unless saver award space opens up, right?
I assume this doesn't work for SDC unless saver award space opens up, right?
Sep 8, 2014, 11:30 am
#38
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Sep 8, 2014, 7:47 pm
#39
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Posts: 56,453
SDC is technically an irrelevant concept for a 1K on an award reservation, as there is no change fee. You can change for free at any time if there is fare bucket availability, not just within 24 hours.
Jan 3, 2015, 4:34 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA S, Marriott Gold (UA), Hertz PC (UA), HH Gold (cc), Avis PP, National EC Executive
Posts: 280
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions (with Wiki) {Archive}
Had a return flight booked IAH-SFO this week (part of a round trip), but got invited to a ski trip last minute and award tickets that will take me to Colorado and onto SFO.
After a $200 change fee, I won't get anything back from the original ticket.
So I'm thinking about continuously pushing back my IAH-SFO leg for as long as possible and hoping for an IRROP at some point.
Has anyone done this? How long does it take on average before you hit an IRROP? Any suggestions for the best flight to pick to get an IRROP? The return leg of the ticket was only $250, so the stress of constantly checking the UA app to look for later flights on a really popular route might not be worth it. (It's also a cheap fare class, so I might not be able to push back at all anyway).
After a $200 change fee, I won't get anything back from the original ticket.
So I'm thinking about continuously pushing back my IAH-SFO leg for as long as possible and hoping for an IRROP at some point.
Has anyone done this? How long does it take on average before you hit an IRROP? Any suggestions for the best flight to pick to get an IRROP? The return leg of the ticket was only $250, so the stress of constantly checking the UA app to look for later flights on a really popular route might not be worth it. (It's also a cheap fare class, so I might not be able to push back at all anyway).
Jan 3, 2015, 5:50 pm
#41
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,850
beleive one person pushed a flight 10-15 days, others may have done longer. you can only push something under 24 hours each time and probably less -- so it becomes a daily activity for some amount time. And at some point there is a chance the needed fare class does not show up and it has been all for not.
impossible questions -- any previous experience has no relevance for the future. The seasonal weather patterns is probably a better indicator. Rare for IAH to have waivers in the winter. SFO might be a better chance but last year there was no rain to speak of and winter is not the foggy time.
Personally would only consider this if the weather forecast had an indication of IRROPs in the next few days, my time is worth more than doing this daily exercise.
Personally would only consider this if the weather forecast had an indication of IRROPs in the next few days, my time is worth more than doing this daily exercise.
Jan 3, 2015, 7:25 pm
#42
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 285
I saw that UA SDC or SDS is for free Gold Primier member.
I have a question. Is it same policy with Delta for SDS(Same Day Standby)? That meaning is SDS is original routing only eligiable. For example, my N class(very lower class) ticket from Boston to Dallas, TX(DFW) via EWR original routing, is it possible to get on stand by different routing from Boston to Dallas(DFW) via ORD, IAD, IAH etc? I am sure there is not available for same fare class within 24 hours.
I have a question. Is it same policy with Delta for SDS(Same Day Standby)? That meaning is SDS is original routing only eligiable. For example, my N class(very lower class) ticket from Boston to Dallas, TX(DFW) via EWR original routing, is it possible to get on stand by different routing from Boston to Dallas(DFW) via ORD, IAD, IAH etc? I am sure there is not available for same fare class within 24 hours.
Jan 3, 2015, 9:55 pm
#43
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: 66,850
I saw that UA SDC or SDS is for free Gold Primier member.
I have a question. Is it same policy with Delta for SDS(Same Day Standby)? That meaning is SDS is original routing only eligiable. For example, my N class(very lower class) ticket from Boston to Dallas, TX(DFW) via EWR original routing, is it possible to get on stand by different routing from Boston to Dallas(DFW) via ORD, IAD, IAH etc? I am sure there is not available for same fare class within 24 hours.
I have a question. Is it same policy with Delta for SDS(Same Day Standby)? That meaning is SDS is original routing only eligiable. For example, my N class(very lower class) ticket from Boston to Dallas, TX(DFW) via EWR original routing, is it possible to get on stand by different routing from Boston to Dallas(DFW) via ORD, IAD, IAH etc? I am sure there is not available for same fare class within 24 hours.
Jan 3, 2015, 10:14 pm
#44
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Posts: 14,884
I saw that UA SDC or SDS is for free Gold Primier member.
I have a question. Is it same policy with Delta for SDS(Same Day Standby)? That meaning is SDS is original routing only eligiable. For example, my N class(very lower class) ticket from Boston to Dallas, TX(DFW) via EWR original routing, is it possible to get on stand by different routing from Boston to Dallas(DFW) via ORD, IAD, IAH etc? I am sure there is not available for same fare class within 24 hours.
I have a question. Is it same policy with Delta for SDS(Same Day Standby)? That meaning is SDS is original routing only eligiable. For example, my N class(very lower class) ticket from Boston to Dallas, TX(DFW) via EWR original routing, is it possible to get on stand by different routing from Boston to Dallas(DFW) via ORD, IAD, IAH etc? I am sure there is not available for same fare class within 24 hours.
You also reference standby, so not sure if you mean a confirmed change, or going for standby. If doing same day change, yes, you can change routing, as in your example of routing through ORD or IAD instead or EWR. Standby you can not change routing. Since there is no fee for either (as a gold+), its always better to do the confirmed same day change, assuming your same fare class is available.
If your same fare class is not available, none of the electronic options (kiosk, app, website) will allow you to make the SDC, but you can call an agent, who can make the SDC and still waive the SDC fee, but will charge an upfare from, in your case, the N fare to the lowest available fare.
Another option is to standby, however, that does not allow you to change route, which is pretty logical because there is always the chance you make it to your connection point but there is no space on onwards flights.
Jan 4, 2015, 12:29 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 285
"You may not, however, change routing when standing by." - That meaning is SDS(Same Day Standby) must be same routing required.
Don't know the details of DLs policy, but believe their same day change policy changed within the last year or two to be closer to UAs.
You also reference standby, so not sure if you mean a confirmed change, or going for standby. If doing same day change, yes, you can change routing, as in your example of routing through ORD or IAD instead or EWR. Standby you can not change routing. Since there is no fee for either (as a gold+), its always better to do the confirmed same day change, assuming your same fare class is available.
If your same fare class is not available, none of the electronic options (kiosk, app, website) will allow you to make the SDC, but you can call an agent, who can make the SDC and still waive the SDC fee, but will charge an upfare from, in your case, the N fare to the lowest available fare.
Another option is to standby, however, that does not allow you to change route, which is pretty logical because there is always the chance you make it to your connection point but there is no space on onwards flights.
You also reference standby, so not sure if you mean a confirmed change, or going for standby. If doing same day change, yes, you can change routing, as in your example of routing through ORD or IAD instead or EWR. Standby you can not change routing. Since there is no fee for either (as a gold+), its always better to do the confirmed same day change, assuming your same fare class is available.
If your same fare class is not available, none of the electronic options (kiosk, app, website) will allow you to make the SDC, but you can call an agent, who can make the SDC and still waive the SDC fee, but will charge an upfare from, in your case, the N fare to the lowest available fare.
Another option is to standby, however, that does not allow you to change route, which is pretty logical because there is always the chance you make it to your connection point but there is no space on onwards flights.
Thank you for your reply.