FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - SDC rules change April 16; Increased restrictions incl same fare bucket availability
Old Mar 28, 2013, 11:45 am
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andymo99
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
SDC rules change April 16; Increased restrictions incl same fare bucket availability

As leaked in another thread, changes are coming to SDC.

I have some details shared with me by DL insiders.

Here are the notable planned* changes:
  • The desired flight must have availability in the originally ticketed fare bucket, not just the same cabin of service.
  • Fee waiver for GM/PM/DM only applies if the desired new flight is within 3 hours (before/after) the ticketed flight. Otherwise, $50 fee applies.
  • The SDC request must be made before the departure time and on the same day as the ticketed flight. (You don't have to wait until 3 hours before the desired flight.) With redeye flights, it can be on the same day or the prior day.

Some additional comments:
  • If on a redeye (say a 1am departure), you can move to any time the prior day.
  • You can SDC a single ticket multiple times. I can foresee GM/PM/DM doing this repeatedly to change a 5pm departure to 6am withouth paying the $50 fee for >3 hours.
  • Still not allowed on int'l itins.

There is a new option of "paid standby" being rolled out at the same time:
  • $50 fee, waived for GM/PM/DM.
  • The standby request must be made before the departure time and on the same day as the ticketed flight. With redeye flights, it can be on the same day or the prior day.
  • No change to routing allowed (eg connecting to nonstop)
  • Only allowed for earlier flights than ticketed, with exception for GM/PM/DM.
  • If you don't clear the standby, you roll to the next flight.
  • There has to be availability in the same CABIN as ticketed, not just the same fare bucket.


That's about all I have for now. This just comes from some chatty DL frontline employees at a couple of stations. Maybe some of it is wrong. Maybe I jotted down a few facts hastily and messed something up. Just sharing what I was told.


*I am just sharing what I have been told. If it doesn't come to fruition, please take it easy on me.
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