SDC Question
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
SDC Question
I forgot how same-day confirm works for 75K? It’s been years since I got into this situation. What I always do is book the cheapest flight for the day I’m traveling, and there’s always standby for the flight that I want, and I change it for a SDC. But I have a flight from Seattle to Palm Springs with a stop in SFO. Does this disqualify me from getting a SDC on a non-stop straight SEA-PSP?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,057
Not a regular AS customer, but this is what I got from Googling. As with other airlines, agents will have more flexibility under certain conditions (notably IRROPs).
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...flight-changes
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...flight-changes
#3
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
I forgot how same-day confirm works for 75K? It’s been years since I got into this situation. What I always do is book the cheapest flight for the day I’m traveling, and there’s always standby for the flight that I want, and I change it for a SDC. But I have a flight from Seattle to Palm Springs with a stop in SFO. Does this disqualify me from getting a SDC on a non-stop straight SEA-PSP?
#4
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 11
I forgot how same-day confirm works for 75K? It’s been years since I got into this situation. What I always do is book the cheapest flight for the day I’m traveling, and there’s always standby for the flight that I want, and I change it for a SDC. But I have a flight from Seattle to Palm Springs with a stop in SFO. Does this disqualify me from getting a SDC on a non-stop straight SEA-PSP?
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
I've typically had very good luck with AS in terms of SDC flexibility ... added/deleted a PDX connection on SEA-LA/SD/SF/DC trips in one direction or the other more than a few times, incl several as MVPG
#6
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Official policy is same origin, same distination on the same date (unless the flight departs between midnight & 4 am which allows a change to the prior day), co-terminals are not included. It is written into fare rules.
Outside the policy/fare rules, AS is generally very accommodating for Elites.
James
Outside the policy/fare rules, AS is generally very accommodating for Elites.
James
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,057
As with website link above, fare rules say SDC must have same connection/thru-city, but I guess this isn't enforced very much. Fare rules mention a few exceptions where co-terminal changes are allowed.
D. SAME DAY CONFIRMED FLIGHT CHANGE AVAILABLE ONLY
FOR IDENTICAL ROUTINGS -SAME ORIGIN / DESTINATION/
CONNECTION / THRU CITY IF APPLICABLE . CHANGES
BETWEEN CO-TERMINALS ARE ALLOWED FOR SFO/OAK/SJC
AND LAX/SNA/BUR/ONT AND PAE/SEA.
D. SAME DAY CONFIRMED FLIGHT CHANGE AVAILABLE ONLY
FOR IDENTICAL ROUTINGS -SAME ORIGIN / DESTINATION/
CONNECTION / THRU CITY IF APPLICABLE . CHANGES
BETWEEN CO-TERMINALS ARE ALLOWED FOR SFO/OAK/SJC
AND LAX/SNA/BUR/ONT AND PAE/SEA.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 540
Another SDC question for those with more expertise in this area:
Award travel (mixed itinerary) booked in "Partner Business" with short segment in AS economy and long segment in AA business. Would a SDC (75K) to a direct flight (if the agent can or is willing to do it) be in economy or first (if space is available of course)? Thanks.
Award travel (mixed itinerary) booked in "Partner Business" with short segment in AS economy and long segment in AA business. Would a SDC (75K) to a direct flight (if the agent can or is willing to do it) be in economy or first (if space is available of course)? Thanks.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
Another SDC question for those with more expertise in this area:
Award travel (mixed itinerary) booked in "Partner Business" with short segment in AS economy and long segment in AA business. Would a SDC (75K) to a direct flight (if the agent can or is willing to do it) be in economy or first (if space is available of course)? Thanks.
Award travel (mixed itinerary) booked in "Partner Business" with short segment in AS economy and long segment in AA business. Would a SDC (75K) to a direct flight (if the agent can or is willing to do it) be in economy or first (if space is available of course)? Thanks.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Another SDC question for those with more expertise in this area:
Award travel (mixed itinerary) booked in "Partner Business" with short segment in AS economy and long segment in AA business. Would a SDC (75K) to a direct flight (if the agent can or is willing to do it) be in economy or first (if space is available of course)? Thanks.
Award travel (mixed itinerary) booked in "Partner Business" with short segment in AS economy and long segment in AA business. Would a SDC (75K) to a direct flight (if the agent can or is willing to do it) be in economy or first (if space is available of course)? Thanks.
If, on the day, AS allows an Elite courtesy SDC to a non-stop from a connection, you would be added to the upgrade waitlist of the new flight.
If you are asking if you can SDC to another flight and be confirmed into F on the strength of the Buiness/First award redemption. The answer is no.
Since there are no change fees on awards for a Gold Level Elite (or for that matter anyone, with current waivers) you could simply change your ticket now to the non-stop option if it is valid on the routing, and Saver W is available. You can even do that online. Of course, if Saver W is not available (AS uses fare class N for dynamic award pricing between Saver W & Refundable Z) your only option would be to request a SDC, or more accurately, a change on the same day, as the request doesn't fit the SDC requirements.
To be eligible for a SDC, you must be holding confirmed reservations and tickets for flights operated by Alaska Airlines. Award & Revenue tickets are not differntially treated. Additionally, there need only be available space on the new flight, the fare class originally purchased and fare bucket availability on the new flight is irrelavent.
James
Last edited by Flying for Fun; Sep 12, 2020 at 9:41 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 540
If, on the day, AS allows an Elite courtesy SDC to a non-stop from a connection, you would be added to the upgrade waitlist of the new flight.
If you are asking if you can SDC to another flight and be confirmed into F on the strength of the Buiness/First award redemption. The answer is no.
James
#13
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
Similar SDC question.. if there is a connecting itinerary for less miles in F (40k) than a nonstop (70k), could I theoretically book the connection and SDC to the nonstop if there is still space in F? The routing with the connection forces an overnight in SFO so the arrival date would change, but the origin and destination would stay the same. Anyone know if this would work, theoretically?
#14
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SFO/SEA
Programs: Gold 75K
Posts: 218
I've done it a few times--booked a cheaper itinerary with a stop using a super cheap F fare and then called in to do a SDC for the nonstop. In fact, I have one on the books now, which I'll be trying in November. Of course, the probability of success may be lower if the F cabin can only be filled to 50% capacity.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
I've done it a few times--booked a cheaper itinerary with a stop using a super cheap F fare and then called in to do a SDC for the nonstop. In fact, I have one on the books now, which I'll be trying in November. Of course, the probability of success may be lower if the F cabin can only be filled to 50% capacity.