Originally Posted by
SFO_Runner
Once you're inside your 24 hour window, go to the website and try to change the ticket to something with a wild connection as opposed to checking-in and then changing.
It just may work ...

I
know how SDC works. I asked - how many flights from PDX are there flying in the middle of night?
OK, seems I need to provide additional information.
I and my wife are arriving at LAX, my wife flies from LAX on Asiana on next day. Flight departs on 12:30AM. As I said, my flight is several hours later at 6AM from LAX to SFO. So after dropping off my wife, I have choice either stay at LAX till the flight to SFO or do SDC and fly to SFO with the last flight departing around 11PM. Considering that I will have two suitcases each 30kg, I really want to avoid the option dragging them around.
I really do not want to book hotel either at SFO or LAX, so was looking for alternatives.
Changing NH flight to something else is not an option - first, change fees, secondly I selected LAX-SFO-NRT route because it was $300 cheaper than LAX-NRT. If I change, it is change fees, plus fare difference. Makes no sense.
But based what was said above, seems spending night at SFO or LAX are only options.