SDC rules change April 16; Increased restrictions incl same fare bucket availability
#1
Original Poster
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:
Some additional comments:
There is a new option of "paid standby" being rolled out at the same time:
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.
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.
#2
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Programs: DL DM, Bonvoy LTT, HH Diam, UA Silver, USAF million miler ;)
Posts: 1,596
Thanks for the info. I'm past denial and into depression stage, but moving toward anger.
[added] The first bullet is the killer of SDC. otherwise not horrible (for me)
[added] Especially with the addition of 69 new fare buckets...F0 Y2 B0 M0 A0 G1 Q3 X0 D0 S0 T0 L1 R1 E0 (Alpha)3 (Beta)7...
[added] The first bullet is the killer of SDC. otherwise not horrible (for me)
[added] Especially with the addition of 69 new fare buckets...F0 Y2 B0 M0 A0 G1 Q3 X0 D0 S0 T0 L1 R1 E0 (Alpha)3 (Beta)7...
#3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wherever I happen to be....
Programs: DL EOS...
Posts: 1,111
Thanks Andy, no complaints if not exactly as conveyed.
Some things, if true, could be useful. The fare bucket thing will likely make my eyes glaze over.
Thanks again.....
Some things, if true, could be useful. The fare bucket thing will likely make my eyes glaze over.
Thanks again.....
#4
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: VPS
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Posts: 2,352
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,158
RIP SDC
Same required fare bucket officially kills it. Thanks again DL
Same required fare bucket officially kills it. Thanks again DL
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL FO/KM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,594
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:
Some additional comments:
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.
I wonder if the $50 fee will apply to 3 hours from your ORIGINAL flight or if anyone will be able to do as you point out and SDC throughout the flights during the day to get to the one they want (which may prove difficult with the fare class requirement).
#7
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Actually, I can probably live with this. As long as I can SB for free with cabin space available, it should probably be okay. Getting rid of the change having to be done within three hours might actually be a positive, and I usually SDC to the next earlier flight, which is usually within 3 hours. If there isn't a flight within 3 hours, I'll weigh my SB options.
For those of you upset about people who change flights getting UGs, this may alleviate part of the problem. SB does not get on the UG list until after clearing the SB list, and the UG list is often cleared before the SB list.
I'm not happy about the required same-route restriction, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that this can be waived from time-to-time, much like they allow me to fly into GSO instead of RDU or PBI instead of MIA already.
For those of you upset about people who change flights getting UGs, this may alleviate part of the problem. SB does not get on the UG list until after clearing the SB list, and the UG list is often cleared before the SB list.
I'm not happy about the required same-route restriction, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that this can be waived from time-to-time, much like they allow me to fly into GSO instead of RDU or PBI instead of MIA already.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere above the Mason-Dixon
Programs: DL Ham Samich
Posts: 1,659
Being a sLUT flyer, this practically removes SDC as an option
#9
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: DL PM, Hertz Gold Plus, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,049
I would assume this part means that you can no longer use SDC to save yourself if you miss your ticketed flight (I don't personally have any experience with that, but I have heard it tossed around here as an option), that is, unless you manage to do it before your ticketed flight departs.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
Actually, I can probably live with this. As long as I can SB for free with cabin space available, it should probably be okay. Getting rid of the change having to be done within three hours might actually be a positive, and I usually SDC to the next earlier flight, which is usually within 3 hours. If there isn't a flight within 3 hours, I'll weigh my SB options.
For those of you upset about people who change flights getting UGs, this may alleviate part of the problem. SB does not get on the UG list until after clearing the SB list, and the UG list is often cleared before the SB list.
I'm not happy about the required same-route restriction, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that this can be waived from time-to-time, much like they allow me to fly into GSO instead of RDU or PBI instead of MIA already.
For those of you upset about people who change flights getting UGs, this may alleviate part of the problem. SB does not get on the UG list until after clearing the SB list, and the UG list is often cleared before the SB list.
I'm not happy about the required same-route restriction, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that this can be waived from time-to-time, much like they allow me to fly into GSO instead of RDU or PBI instead of MIA already.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
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Posts: 10,745
As an FO, this kills my usual UG luck on the last flight of the night, when all the GM+ folks get to the airport early and SDC to the earlier flights home...
Are there ever actually any non-YBM fares left available on the day of travel?
Are there ever actually any non-YBM fares left available on the day of travel?
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
Now my two cents...
This stinks. Same fare bucket is going to be very rare for much of my travel. Much of my SDC desires come when buying cheapies. It is rare to see T fares on day of departure.
>3 hours = $50. Bah humbug. I rarely SDC for something within 3 hours.
What is "same fare bucket" implication for award tickets? If enforced, it would pretty much mean there is no such thing as SDC for awards.
This is huge gutting of a major Medallion benefit.
This stinks. Same fare bucket is going to be very rare for much of my travel. Much of my SDC desires come when buying cheapies. It is rare to see T fares on day of departure.
>3 hours = $50. Bah humbug. I rarely SDC for something within 3 hours.
What is "same fare bucket" implication for award tickets? If enforced, it would pretty much mean there is no such thing as SDC for awards.
This is huge gutting of a major Medallion benefit.
#13
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: DL GM, Marriot Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 102
Paid standby
Is that fee still payable if you end up on original flight?
The 'same fare bucket' does kill the SDC - but then I have never really had much success with SDC (guess is the routes I travel), as any availability seemed to close out right on the 3 hour window.
I can see the BFU being now complemented by BFS (battle field standby)
Is that fee still payable if you end up on original flight?
The 'same fare bucket' does kill the SDC - but then I have never really had much success with SDC (guess is the routes I travel), as any availability seemed to close out right on the 3 hour window.
I can see the BFU being now complemented by BFS (battle field standby)
#14
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Programs: DL DM, Bonvoy LTT, HH Diam, UA Silver, USAF million miler ;)
Posts: 1,596
Betcha the headline will read (DL reps feel free to cut and paste)
Enhancement! Now MORE flexibility for same day changes! We have removed the 3 hours requirement!!! Fee waivers for elite members further improve Delta's best in class FF program!! Of course, in order to bring you this newest awesomest enhancement, we will require same fare bucket available.
Enhancement! Now MORE flexibility for same day changes! We have removed the 3 hours requirement!!! Fee waivers for elite members further improve Delta's best in class FF program!! Of course, in order to bring you this newest awesomest enhancement, we will require same fare bucket available.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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iirc CO's SDC policy used to have the fare bucket restriction, which pretty well offset the 24-hr window; I'm not sure whether that has carried over to UA
I ** really ** hope "only-as-ticketed routing" won't be part of SDC (I believe both UA and AS are currently that way, and that is also a killer)
I ** really ** hope "only-as-ticketed routing" won't be part of SDC (I believe both UA and AS are currently that way, and that is also a killer)