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}
Apr 20, 2017, 4:56 pm
#2266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,395
I was schedule to fly out of PHX thru DEN to MSP tomorrow morning leaving PHX at 6AM. I am in first on a "P" fare. At 6:05AM I called and tried to switch my flight to route me through IAH as I was going to meet my fiance there and catch the same flight. That flight left at 5:30AM so both were in the 24 hour period for SDC. There was "P" fares on both segments but when I called they said that it was against the routing rules of my fare to fly through IAH. Is this correct, I tried twice to make the change.
Apr 20, 2017, 5:02 pm
#2267
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Houston TX
Programs: United Premier 1k, Hertz Presidents Circle, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 408
Apr 20, 2017, 5:34 pm
#2268
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,395
Ok, where do I find the routing rules? The app gave me one chance to route through IAH and i accidentally hit back and it was gone. Later it let me route through SFO which I ended up taking for the PQM, being out of IAH traveling domestically its hard to get PQM without taking obscure routes places
Apr 23, 2017, 7:12 am
#2269
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ORD
Posts: 435
same day change P fare code (paid)
on a flight later tonight 8pm. according to united website, 6pm flight is:
United First®: 20 | Booked: 19 | Checked In: 14
if i use switch flights for $75, will i be able to snag the last "unbooked" FC seat? Or will it boot me to coach?
thanks.
United First®: 20 | Booked: 19 | Checked In: 14
if i use switch flights for $75, will i be able to snag the last "unbooked" FC seat? Or will it boot me to coach?
thanks.
Apr 23, 2017, 7:17 am
#2270
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,034
it will show you what it rebooks you into. If this is a true P fare then it will not offer SDC unless there is 'P' available. This can be tricky with UP fares ... call in for that SDC to be sure. Is there 'P' available on this flight?
Apr 23, 2017, 7:23 am
#2271
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I would call and ask the non-jargon question. "If I pay for one of those $75 changes, will I be in a First Class seat?"
That is the only thing you care about and if it's gummed up, it's the basis for a supervisor to force the seat (presuming that the answer is "yes".)
That is the only thing you care about and if it's gummed up, it's the basis for a supervisor to force the seat (presuming that the answer is "yes".)
Apr 23, 2017, 10:50 am
#2273
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
On the return, when I wanted to SDC, I did it through the app, and it correctly recognized my P fare, although if it was an -UP fare, the underlying fare class might have been available too.
I wish UA would stop this -UP fare that books into P nonsense, and only sells true P fares when booking (like DL)
Last edited by diburning; Apr 23, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Apr 23, 2017, 2:08 pm
#2274
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
Every carrier in the US with an F cabin sells differential premium fares except B6 (Mint), and VX (will probably change with AS consolidation).
Apr 23, 2017, 6:07 pm
#2275
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
I understand that there are differential premium fare classes for premium cabin, but when I book on United, it tells me that I'm booking a P fare, and then when something happens such as IRROPS, I'm suddenly told that I don't have an actual P fare, but an underlying economy fare basis that allowed me to be seated in the premium cabin. Delta does not do this. Once booked into a premium cabin, it is a premium cabin ticket and is treated as such from that point onward regardless of fare basis or construction.
Apr 23, 2017, 7:38 pm
#2276
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
I understand that there are differential premium fare classes for premium cabin, but when I book on United, it tells me that I'm booking a P fare, and then when something happens such as IRROPS, I'm suddenly told that I don't have an actual P fare, but an underlying economy fare basis that allowed me to be seated in the premium cabin. Delta does not do this. Once booked into a premium cabin, it is a premium cabin ticket and is treated as such from that point onward regardless of fare basis or construction.
I think the origin of the misunderstanding was when the fares took the form TAA21ARN/UPDI. The contents following the slash are frequently a discount or account designator, and some systems don't even display it. This could lead to understandable confusion.
Apr 26, 2017, 2:45 pm
#2277
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: N/A
Programs: UA AA and more
Posts: 353
Buying cheaper connections with hopes of changes later
Has anyone tried booking a flight with connection(s) and then try get a nonstop same day change for free (Gold status)?
If I read the fine print of same day changes correctly, what matters is only the origin and destination and having the desired route allowed. So this means, for example that I can book the 6:04am LAS-DEN-EWR which is cheaper than the 6:01 LAS-EWR and then try and get the NS when I get to the airport, or even during OLCI at T-24, right?
If I read the fine print of same day changes correctly, what matters is only the origin and destination and having the desired route allowed. So this means, for example that I can book the 6:04am LAS-DEN-EWR which is cheaper than the 6:01 LAS-EWR and then try and get the NS when I get to the airport, or even during OLCI at T-24, right?
Apr 26, 2017, 2:49 pm
#2278
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,893
Yes, this is permitted on United (unlike some other carriers). That's assuming you didn't buy a "basic economy" fare. (edit: and assuming the fare allows nonstop routing per IAH-OIL-TRASH's great point in the reply below).
SDC is probably one of the last bastions of true customer-friendly value in the United frequent-flyer program. Perhaps we should start a betting pool for when it gets right-sized.
SDC is probably one of the last bastions of true customer-friendly value in the United frequent-flyer program. Perhaps we should start a betting pool for when it gets right-sized.
Apr 26, 2017, 2:50 pm
#2279
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,018
Has anyone tried booking a flight with connection(s) and then try get a nonstop same day change for free (Gold status)?
If I read the fine print of same day changes correctly, what matters is only the origin and destination and having the desired route allowed. So this means, for example that I can book the 6:04am LAS-DEN-EWR which is cheaper than the 6:01 LAS-EWR and then try and get the NS when I get to the airport, or even during OLCI at T-24, right?
If I read the fine print of same day changes correctly, what matters is only the origin and destination and having the desired route allowed. So this means, for example that I can book the 6:04am LAS-DEN-EWR which is cheaper than the 6:01 LAS-EWR and then try and get the NS when I get to the airport, or even during OLCI at T-24, right?
Apr 26, 2017, 2:53 pm
#2280
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: N/A
Programs: UA AA and more
Posts: 353
That's awesome.
(WOW the possibilities)
:-)
(WOW the possibilities)
:-)