Last edit by: audidudi
This wiki covers basic info and common FAQs. For full terms and conditions, see the relevant DL web page: Same Day Travel Changes
Same-Day Confirmed
To request an SDC, you can
Online SDC does not seem to present all the options available to you, especially when you are SDCing a GAP fare and there is no inventory in your fare bucket. Calling in is best. People have had success with Twitter but that may depend on how "involved" the SDC is.
You can SDC starting 24 hours before your initial departure. You can SDC to any flight leaving the same calendar day. There is a $75 fee for SDC ($50 for tickets issued before March 15th, 2017), waived for GM and higher. This fee, and the waiver, applies for each person, although for GM+ traveling with companion the companion fee is sometimes waived.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (main cabin)?
A. Yes (whether revenue or award ticket). Note there is sometimes inventory in a fare bucket even though it may not be offered for sale on the web site. SDC on V or N (low award) fare is not unheard of.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (Comfort+)?
If booked into W (not WU) there only needs to be an available seat in Comfort+ regardless of fare class.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (First/Business/DeltaOne)?
Q. What about SDC with RUC/GUC/mileage upgrades (that have already cleared)?
As of November 2017:
It is unclear how this affects SDC if you are confirmed in RY/OY.
Q. I have a premium cabin fare, can I SDC to an itinerary with a single-cabin aircraft?
Written reply received from Delta, Dec. 2015:
Q. What about Medallion complimentary upgrades?
A. These do *not* count as premium cabin fares even if you already cleared. The main cabin rules for SDC regarding fare inventory will apply, and if it goes through you will SDC into a main cabin seat (but you are eligible to be upgraded again -- make sure you appear on the upgrade list on your new itinerary)
Q. Can I change the routing/connections?
A. You cannot SDC from a connecting itinerary to a non-stop itinerary. In all other cases the answer is unclear. The SDC rules do not explicitly prohibit routing changes. However ticket fare rules usually contain a clause that additions/changes to connections must be permitted by the fare rules. These are apparently in conflict, and practically speaking it depends on the agent/supervisor you speak with. Some refuse, some allow anything reasonable.
Q. Can I change the origin/destination?
A. Technically no, but there is an unwritten rule that DMs can make co-terminal changes. (There are some unintuitive gaps in what DL considers co-terminal, e.g. DAL and DFW do not count.)
Q. How are SDC flights credited?
A. You will earn MQMs for the route you actually fly.
Q. Can I SDC onto a red-eye later the same day, that connects to a flight the following morning?
A. Yes (though the agent may need to process it manually)
Q. I have a red-eye flight or a flight leaving shortly after midnight; can I SDC to a flight the next day/day before?
A. Officially, no. In practice, some people have reported success (with no real pattern to status). Can't hurt to ask.
Q. Can I SDC on an international itinerary?
A. Officially, no. In practice, you can SDC remaining domestic flights after all international flights have been flown; if you have onward checked bags it is best to do this before you re-check them. There are non-zero reports of SDC of domestic flights before connecting to an international flight but this should not be counted on.
Q. Can I SDC an Alaska Airlines codeshare?
Same-Day Standby
"Same-day standby is only offered if same-day confirmed is not available."
"You can use the same-day standby option for travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and Delta Connection flights."
SDS can be requested 24 hours before your initial departure. GM+ can SDS to any flight departing the same calendar day; others can only SDS for an earlier flight. No routing changes are permitted.
SDS costs$75 ($50 for tickets issued before 15 MAR 2017) but only if you clear the standby list (waived for GM+) SDS is now free for all passengers as of August 4th, 2021
Upgrades are not preserved -- if you already cleared the upgrade on your original flight you must still standby for the main cabin.
Q. Is it possible to get upgraded after a standby?
A. Almost always no, whether because it is explicitly forbidden or because the standby list is processed after the UG list and it is rare for any F seats to be leftover after that happens. So, maybe sometimes?
Same-Day Standby Upgrades
"The same-day standby upgrade option allows you to upgrade your flight for a small fee, provided space is available and your ticket is eligible. This option applies to specific flights and routings [...]"
This is not the same as upgrading after successfully standing by for a main cabin seat (see above).
SDSU fee chart (may be out of date):
All flights within and between the Domestic 48 States and Alaska
All flights to and from Hawaii
All eligible other flights
Same-Day Confirmed
To request an SDC, you can
- Use the Same Day Change function on the Today screen in the Delta app (recommended, but with some peculiarities -- may not show all routings, and if changing to an earlier or later flight will only show the option within 24 hours of the target flight)
- Click the "Change" button during OLCI (after you click "Check in" on the first screen)
- Call a phone agent (recommended if app does not work)
- Use Delta's chat functions via the app (hit or miss)
Online SDC does not seem to present all the options available to you, especially when you are SDCing a GAP fare and there is no inventory in your fare bucket. Calling in is best. People have had success with Twitter but that may depend on how "involved" the SDC is.
You can SDC starting 24 hours before your initial departure. You can SDC to any flight leaving the same calendar day. There is a $75 fee for SDC ($50 for tickets issued before March 15th, 2017), waived for GM and higher. This fee, and the waiver, applies for each person, although for GM+ traveling with companion the companion fee is sometimes waived.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (main cabin)?
A. Yes (whether revenue or award ticket). Note there is sometimes inventory in a fare bucket even though it may not be offered for sale on the web site. SDC on V or N (low award) fare is not unheard of.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (Comfort+)?
If booked into W (not WU) there only needs to be an available seat in Comfort+ regardless of fare class.
Q. Does the same fare class need to be available (First/Business/DeltaOne)?
Q. What about SDC with RUC/GUC/mileage upgrades (that have already cleared)?
As of November 2017:
* If your original ticket is a Delta OneTM ticket, you may move to any other flight with a premium cabin seat available
* If your original ticket is a First Class ticket, you may move only to other flights with a First Class seat available; you may not move to a flight with a Delta One experience, even if seats are available.
* If your original ticket is a First Class ticket, you may move only to other flights with a First Class seat available; you may not move to a flight with a Delta One experience, even if seats are available.
Q. I have a premium cabin fare, can I SDC to an itinerary with a single-cabin aircraft?
Written reply received from Delta, Dec. 2015:
f the aircraft does not support a First/Business/Delta One cabin you are still eligible to change to the flight as long we are still selling seats on the flight.
Q. What about Medallion complimentary upgrades?
A. These do *not* count as premium cabin fares even if you already cleared. The main cabin rules for SDC regarding fare inventory will apply, and if it goes through you will SDC into a main cabin seat (but you are eligible to be upgraded again -- make sure you appear on the upgrade list on your new itinerary)
Q. Can I change the routing/connections?
A. You cannot SDC from a connecting itinerary to a non-stop itinerary. In all other cases the answer is unclear. The SDC rules do not explicitly prohibit routing changes. However ticket fare rules usually contain a clause that additions/changes to connections must be permitted by the fare rules. These are apparently in conflict, and practically speaking it depends on the agent/supervisor you speak with. Some refuse, some allow anything reasonable.
Q. Can I change the origin/destination?
A. Technically no, but there is an unwritten rule that DMs can make co-terminal changes. (There are some unintuitive gaps in what DL considers co-terminal, e.g. DAL and DFW do not count.)
Q. How are SDC flights credited?
A. You will earn MQMs for the route you actually fly.
Q. Can I SDC onto a red-eye later the same day, that connects to a flight the following morning?
A. Yes (though the agent may need to process it manually)
Q. I have a red-eye flight or a flight leaving shortly after midnight; can I SDC to a flight the next day/day before?
A. Officially, no. In practice, some people have reported success (with no real pattern to status). Can't hurt to ask.
Q. Can I SDC on an international itinerary?
A. Officially, no. In practice, you can SDC remaining domestic flights after all international flights have been flown; if you have onward checked bags it is best to do this before you re-check them. There are non-zero reports of SDC of domestic flights before connecting to an international flight but this should not be counted on.
Q. Can I SDC an Alaska Airlines codeshare?
"Same-day standby is only offered if same-day confirmed is not available."
"You can use the same-day standby option for travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and Delta Connection flights."
SDS can be requested 24 hours before your initial departure. GM+ can SDS to any flight departing the same calendar day; others can only SDS for an earlier flight. No routing changes are permitted.
SDS costs
Upgrades are not preserved -- if you already cleared the upgrade on your original flight you must still standby for the main cabin.
Q. Is it possible to get upgraded after a standby?
A. Almost always no, whether because it is explicitly forbidden or because the standby list is processed after the UG list and it is rare for any F seats to be leftover after that happens. So, maybe sometimes?
Same-Day Standby Upgrades
"The same-day standby upgrade option allows you to upgrade your flight for a small fee, provided space is available and your ticket is eligible. This option applies to specific flights and routings [...]"
This is not the same as upgrading after successfully standing by for a main cabin seat (see above).
SDSU fee chart (may be out of date):
All flights within and between the Domestic 48 States and Alaska
Code:
Traveling Y/B/M Fares S/H/Q/K/L Fares U/T/X/V Fares 0 to 500 miles $49 $119 $169 501 to 1,000 miles $79 $149 $199 1,001 to 1,500 miles $99 $209 $259 1,501 to 2,000 miles $149 $249 $319 2,001 to 3,000 miles $239 $269 $359 3,001 miles and up $329 $369 $399
Code:
Traveling Y/B/M Fares S/H/Q/K/L Fares U/T/X/V Fares 2,001 to 3,000 miles $239 $269 $359 3,001 miles and up $329 $369 $399
Code:
Traveling Y / B / M / H / Q / K Fares 0 to 500 miles $50 501 to 1,000 miles $75 1,001 to 1,500 miles $100 1,501 to 2,000 miles $150 2,001 to 3,000 miles $225 3,001 miles and up $350
Same-day confirmed and same-day standby options
#1546
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,264
#1547
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,021
+1
Whenever I do an SDS, I'm doing so with the assumption that I'll clear into a middle seat behind the wing. If I'm lucky I'll get an aisle or exit row.
So then I weigh the schedule difference against the either confirmed or likely upgrade on my booked flight, and make a decision. Most of my flights are 2 hours or less, so usually the schedule wins.
Whenever I do an SDS, I'm doing so with the assumption that I'll clear into a middle seat behind the wing. If I'm lucky I'll get an aisle or exit row.
So then I weigh the schedule difference against the either confirmed or likely upgrade on my booked flight, and make a decision. Most of my flights are 2 hours or less, so usually the schedule wins.
I did this exact thing last night, in fact, gave up confirmed upgrade to standby on an earlier, < 1 hour flight. As #6 for 4 seats, I was lucky to get on the aircraft at all (must have been no-shows?), but I did get an exit row aisle, and even more rare/lucky, there was actually overhead space left for my bag even as the 2nd to last to board the plane.
#1548
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA Gold/1MM, AS MVP 100K, AA Gold
Posts: 1,424
I have a SDC question
I'm going ANC-SEA-MSP-JFK, leaving ANC 330pm, long layover in SEA and departs for MSP at 1245am.
Could I do a SDC to take the 7am JFK nonstop flight (assuming fare class available) or would that brake the fare and be ineligible?
I'm going ANC-SEA-MSP-JFK, leaving ANC 330pm, long layover in SEA and departs for MSP at 1245am.
Could I do a SDC to take the 7am JFK nonstop flight (assuming fare class available) or would that brake the fare and be ineligible?
#1549
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
You want to SDC SEA-MSP-JFK to SEA-JFK? If the fare class is available, that ought to be allowed.
#1550
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,106
You want to leave 7am the next day? Wouldn't that be greater than the maximum allowable stop over of 4 hours for a domestic connection?
#1551
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA Gold/1MM, AS MVP 100K, AA Gold
Posts: 1,424
And I'd like to SDC to the 7am SEA-JFK flight so I can actually get some sleep in SEA. I know typically over 4 hours breaks the route, but my current connection time in SEA is almost 5 hours.
#1552
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 1
Screwed yet again as a DM
How many high status fliers will it take for Delta to realize that the SDS policy sucks horribly? No upgrades, no hope of a decent seat except by luck...why are they not prioritizing those of use that fly with them non-stop? Is there some sort of a petition or movement to let them know? I'd even pay a small fee, vs. being put in the cattle line and just hoping. Currently sitting in a window, cramped seat, when I saw just over an hour before my flight that they had plenty of seats and some in exit row. MM and about 200k miles a year. NOT pleased.
#1553
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: DL DM; SPG Gold
Posts: 1,733
I tried to SDC online yesterday for a flight today. I had already been upgraded. The website kept giving me an error message and as per EF, I knew there was availability on the flight I wanted to SDC to.
So I called the DM line and it turns out the system was no more able to recognize my fare of origin due to the upgrade. That was the reason why I could not do the change online. She was very efficient though, and did everything manually.
Still, I would think the system should be able to allow you to SDC online even after your upgrade has cleared.
So I called the DM line and it turns out the system was no more able to recognize my fare of origin due to the upgrade. That was the reason why I could not do the change online. She was very efficient though, and did everything manually.
Still, I would think the system should be able to allow you to SDC online even after your upgrade has cleared.
#1554
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
Good luck finding a CSR who understands the new rules.
#1555
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 3
Welcome to the community. Long time lurker and finally decided to partake occasionally
The priority for clearing standbys is
HKI (IROPs and invol dbc confirmed pax)
HKM
HK
HKV
Upgrades
Same day standby (elite then non)
Non elite pax that can't be confirmed affected by irregular ops or flat tire ruled (a2/b1/c)
Non rev standbys
What I have noticed lately is a lot of us elite have been abusing SDSB and sdc by buying cheaper fares on later flights and then showing up saying "my meeting ended early" and wanting to get on. When it truly happens, it's ok. When you see the same elites on the same routes doing it religiously, makes you think why DL's rules are the way they are.
The priority for clearing standbys is
HKI (IROPs and invol dbc confirmed pax)
HKM
HK
HKV
Upgrades
Same day standby (elite then non)
Non elite pax that can't be confirmed affected by irregular ops or flat tire ruled (a2/b1/c)
Non rev standbys
What I have noticed lately is a lot of us elite have been abusing SDSB and sdc by buying cheaper fares on later flights and then showing up saying "my meeting ended early" and wanting to get on. When it truly happens, it's ok. When you see the same elites on the same routes doing it religiously, makes you think why DL's rules are the way they are.
Last edited by Jfern022; Jun 6, 2014 at 5:59 pm Reason: First sentence.
#1556
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
What I have noticed lately is a lot of us elite have been abusing SDSB and sdc by buying cheaper fares on later flights and then showing up saying "my meeting ended early" and wanting to get on. When it truly happens, it's ok. When you see the same elites on the same routes doing it religiously, makes you think why DL's rules are the way they are.
Second of all, how is that abusing the system? There's no rule saying "you can only same-day standby/confirm IF you have a legitimate business interest".
#1557
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 3
The way I see it, when you fly a regular market often, you have an idea of the availability on those flights and when the fares creep up. When people are booking business and at midday, only above M is open, but 5 hours later, U and T are open, why not book the T and still show up for the flight earlier. Never an intention of taking the later flight and I've seen plenty that know it.
#1558
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Again, so? That's the point of same day confirmed and standby, you're allowed to buy a later flight and standby for an earlier one. There's no rule saying you have to purchase only the flights you intend to fly.
#1559
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
But if I wrap everything up on time and get to the airport 4 hours early, of course I'm going to attempt to SDS/SDC to an earlier flight. You could say I never intended to take the later flight, as it was always my backup and my intent was always to take the first flight I could get on to once I get to the airport.
But that's the entire point of SDS/SDC...
#1560
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
What I have noticed lately is a lot of us elite have been abusing SDSB and sdc by buying cheaper fares on later flights and then showing up saying "my meeting ended early" and wanting to get on. When it truly happens, it's ok. When you see the same elites on the same routes doing it religiously, makes you think why DL's rules are the way they are.