Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Missing the plane is more flat tire rule than necessarily SDC, so at DL's discretion they could let your non status (?) wife fly standby. Even for MX, they will try to rebook on DL or SkyTeam rather than other carriers, which they are likely to avoid unless pushed, except maybe for a HVC or expensive ticket (which the passenger really could change on their own as they wish).
True. But, if the same fare class (T, U, etc) is available on all segments you can be confirmed under the flat tire rule. If not you can choose to pay the SDC fee as long as they is availability in the cabin you purchased. Looking at the OP..she would have two reroutes after the 5:20 to CVG. The 6:40 to ATL (the advantage here is that both flights are mainline acft and, at this time, showing abt 90 seats each avail) or the 7:20 via DTW. Actually, the DTW conx has the shortest total flt time but the latest arrival time in RDU. Don't think there would be enough time to process the SDC for the LGA flight unless she just decided to have it rebooked at the ticket counter when she arrives. Hopefully...all she has is carry-on(s).