Jun 12, 2015, 7:09 pm
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
Aug 13, 2014, 12:03 am
#1621
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
It is used when it shows online as used/closed. That happens when the ticket is reissued. If you ask for ticket to be reissued (reticketed) at time of applying the upgrade, that is when it's used. But if it's not reticketed then and is left to reticket for later, it'll be used when it's reticketed. Super easy to see: just look at your ticket and into what fare class you are ticketed, and/or see the status of the upgrade cert online and see is it OPEN and available for used or closed/used.
Aug 13, 2014, 12:12 am
#1622
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
It is used when it shows online as used/closed. That happens when the ticket is reissued. If you ask for ticket to be reissued (reticketed) at time of applying the upgrade, that is when it's used. But if it's not reticketed then and is left to reticket for later, it'll be used when it's reticketed. Super easy to see: just look at your ticket and into what fare class you are ticketed, and/or see the status of the upgrade cert online and see is it OPEN and available for used or closed/used.
Aug 13, 2014, 5:43 am
#1623
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,187
I agree with "SWU is not a complimentary UG," but rules usually follow paid class, not booked/traveled class. The SDC FC rule "change" is nice for those who are in an FC seat from time of booking because these fares can be totally misleading--ie. you only see "A" at checkout and are totally led to believe you purchased a FC ticket, but you actually bought a "Q-up" fare that could be subject to Q class restrictions with respect to SDC rules (this has happened to me!!). In general, if you paid for a B/M fare, used a PU503 to UG to R/O, and then tried to change it, you would have to play by the B/M fare rules, not the FC--F/A/J/C etc. rules. PU503 is booked into R/O fare buckets, so you don't get to play by F/J rules... Again, reports of changes are common, but don't bet the farm.
Its only with a medallion upgrade that you go back to Y if you SDC. With an SWU, its actually more important that the ticket be reissued so the confirmed first/business seat is reflected in the receipt, otherwise the original standard coach basis is there and they can't SDC you up front.
There are still a lot of misinformed agents out there... I recently had to explain the 'new' rules that changed several months ago when I called to SDC from a P fare and one of the segments was showing F4P0. They said I needed the P inventory which was not true... they looked it up, apologized and did the SDC for me.
Aug 13, 2014, 6:37 am
#1624
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,788
If you are confirmed up front on via paid, award, or upgrade instrument then you can SDC to another flight (with allowed routing) as long as there is a seat available. If you are told otherwise, then hang up and call back. Horrible info from an agent if they tried pulling the 'up' fare bs that you didn't purchase a first class ticket. If you paid for an A ticket, then you get up front when you SDC unless the cabin is sold out. Doesn't matter if you have an UP or /WNUP fare basis. What matters is that you're in first/biz.
Its only with a medallion upgrade that you go back to Y if you SDC. With an SWU, its actually more important that the ticket be reissued so the confirmed first/business seat is reflected in the receipt, otherwise the original standard coach basis is there and they can't SDC you up front.
There are still a lot of misinformed agents out there... I recently had to explain the 'new' rules that changed several months ago when I called to SDC from a P fare and one of the segments was showing F4P0. They said I needed the P inventory which was not true... they looked it up, apologized and did the SDC for me.
Its only with a medallion upgrade that you go back to Y if you SDC. With an SWU, its actually more important that the ticket be reissued so the confirmed first/business seat is reflected in the receipt, otherwise the original standard coach basis is there and they can't SDC you up front.
There are still a lot of misinformed agents out there... I recently had to explain the 'new' rules that changed several months ago when I called to SDC from a P fare and one of the segments was showing F4P0. They said I needed the P inventory which was not true... they looked it up, apologized and did the SDC for me.
Aug 28, 2014, 5:04 pm
#1625
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,788
Does anyone have any better options than FlightStats for checking fare class availability? Is this worth the ExpertFlyer subscription fee? I'm flying DAY-DTW-BWI tomorrow on a L/K split fare with L on the first leg and K on the second leg and trying to SDC to an earlier flight, Aug 29.
FlightStats shows Y/9 B/5 M/5 S/5 H/5 Q/5 K/5 L/1 U/1 T/1 X/0 V/0 E/0 for both flights when searching DAY-BWI.
When searching individually, it shows Y/9 B/9 M/9 S/7 H/7 Q/7 K/7 L/7 U/7 T/6 X/3 V/2 E/1 for flight 6391 DAY-DTW and Y/9 B/9 M/9 S/9 H/8 Q/7 K/5 L/0 U/5 T/5 X/5 V/5 E/5 for flight 1637 DTW-BWI.
Can anyone check what I'm seeing or offer any suggestions? I've tried changing online as well as calling twice. Additionally, the L/0 U/5 ... E/5 seems strange, but the first agent told me that it was the DAY-DTW flight that didn't have L availability.
Edit: OK, maybe FlightStats is just delayed. It's now showing Y/9 B/5 M/5 S/5 H/5 Q/5 K/5 L/0 U/0 T/0 X/0 V/0 E/0 for both segments. I guess I'll keep monitoring in the hopes that something opens up.
FlightStats shows Y/9 B/5 M/5 S/5 H/5 Q/5 K/5 L/1 U/1 T/1 X/0 V/0 E/0 for both flights when searching DAY-BWI.
When searching individually, it shows Y/9 B/9 M/9 S/7 H/7 Q/7 K/7 L/7 U/7 T/6 X/3 V/2 E/1 for flight 6391 DAY-DTW and Y/9 B/9 M/9 S/9 H/8 Q/7 K/5 L/0 U/5 T/5 X/5 V/5 E/5 for flight 1637 DTW-BWI.
Can anyone check what I'm seeing or offer any suggestions? I've tried changing online as well as calling twice. Additionally, the L/0 U/5 ... E/5 seems strange, but the first agent told me that it was the DAY-DTW flight that didn't have L availability.
Edit: OK, maybe FlightStats is just delayed. It's now showing Y/9 B/5 M/5 S/5 H/5 Q/5 K/5 L/0 U/0 T/0 X/0 V/0 E/0 for both segments. I guess I'll keep monitoring in the hopes that something opens up.
Last edited by mattp1987; Aug 28, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Aug 28, 2014, 5:14 pm
#1626
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
I don't see the problem. If you have a broken fare, you must connect in the same place and availability should be based on the fare class you purchased for each segment. Your L is L7 followed by the K segment at K5. Or do I misunderstand something?
Aug 28, 2014, 5:51 pm
#1627
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,788
That would make sense but wasn't the impression I received from either agent. The ticket was purchased through Expedia but is clearly a broken fare at DTW based on the two different fare classes. Should married segment logic, which is causing the lower availability for the connecting itinerary relative to either individual leg, not come into play for broken fares? The second agent offered a flight through MSP as an alternative which would imply DL is treating this as a "normal" ticket. I didn't take that option because it leaves earlier and arrives later than my current flights.
Oct 17, 2014, 8:34 am
#1628
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Phila Delta ex-PM, ex-UA-PE
Posts: 2,659
Just wanted to confirm, since I'm new to SDC.
Booked on coach award flight PHL-ATL-LAX-LIH. PHL departure 10:19am. I'm looking at some flights that get me in earlier, all are PHL-ATL-HNL-LIH. THe HNL-LIH flight is a codeshare on Hawaiian.
From how I read it, I should be able to:
- call up Delta starting 10:19am the day before my flight to check for availability
- if they have it on all the segments, I pay $50, and they'll change my flights
Is this basically correct?
There are a couple different PHL-ATL and ATL-HNL flights to choose from. Will have me leaving earlier, arriving later than my ideal flight, but at least there are options.
Any potential issues with the last flight being a codeshare? I guess I'd need to check Hawaiian's site to get an idea of availability for it.
All my current flights I got an aisle seat for, including paying for EconCmft on the LAX-LIH flight. While I'd like getting in earlier, not not sure I'd want to risk being in middle seats for the PHL-ATL-HNL segments.
I guess if the plane is open enough, they could assign seats. I'm more expecting it'll be gate assigned seats at that point. That's a big roll of the dice.
Thanks for any info or comments.
Jeff
Booked on coach award flight PHL-ATL-LAX-LIH. PHL departure 10:19am. I'm looking at some flights that get me in earlier, all are PHL-ATL-HNL-LIH. THe HNL-LIH flight is a codeshare on Hawaiian.
From how I read it, I should be able to:
- call up Delta starting 10:19am the day before my flight to check for availability
- if they have it on all the segments, I pay $50, and they'll change my flights
Is this basically correct?
There are a couple different PHL-ATL and ATL-HNL flights to choose from. Will have me leaving earlier, arriving later than my ideal flight, but at least there are options.
Any potential issues with the last flight being a codeshare? I guess I'd need to check Hawaiian's site to get an idea of availability for it.
All my current flights I got an aisle seat for, including paying for EconCmft on the LAX-LIH flight. While I'd like getting in earlier, not not sure I'd want to risk being in middle seats for the PHL-ATL-HNL segments.
I guess if the plane is open enough, they could assign seats. I'm more expecting it'll be gate assigned seats at that point. That's a big roll of the dice.
Thanks for any info or comments.
Jeff
Oct 17, 2014, 8:47 am
#1630
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Just wanted to confirm, since I'm new to SDC.
Booked on coach award flight PHL-ATL-LAX-LIH. PHL departure 10:19am. I'm looking at some flights that get me in earlier, all are PHL-ATL-HNL-LIH. THe HNL-LIH flight is a codeshare on Hawaiian.
From how I read it, I should be able to:
- call up Delta starting 10:19am the day before my flight to check for availability
- if they have it on all the segments, I pay $50, and they'll change my flights
Is this basically correct?
There are a couple different PHL-ATL and ATL-HNL flights to choose from. Will have me leaving earlier, arriving later than my ideal flight, but at least there are options.
Any potential issues with the last flight being a codeshare? I guess I'd need to check Hawaiian's site to get an idea of availability for it.
All my current flights I got an aisle seat for, including paying for EconCmft on the LAX-LIH flight. While I'd like getting in earlier, not not sure I'd want to risk being in middle seats for the PHL-ATL-HNL segments.
I guess if the plane is open enough, they could assign seats. I'm more expecting it'll be gate assigned seats at that point. That's a big roll of the dice.
Thanks for any info or comments.
Jeff
Booked on coach award flight PHL-ATL-LAX-LIH. PHL departure 10:19am. I'm looking at some flights that get me in earlier, all are PHL-ATL-HNL-LIH. THe HNL-LIH flight is a codeshare on Hawaiian.
From how I read it, I should be able to:
- call up Delta starting 10:19am the day before my flight to check for availability
- if they have it on all the segments, I pay $50, and they'll change my flights
Is this basically correct?
There are a couple different PHL-ATL and ATL-HNL flights to choose from. Will have me leaving earlier, arriving later than my ideal flight, but at least there are options.
Any potential issues with the last flight being a codeshare? I guess I'd need to check Hawaiian's site to get an idea of availability for it.
All my current flights I got an aisle seat for, including paying for EconCmft on the LAX-LIH flight. While I'd like getting in earlier, not not sure I'd want to risk being in middle seats for the PHL-ATL-HNL segments.
I guess if the plane is open enough, they could assign seats. I'm more expecting it'll be gate assigned seats at that point. That's a big roll of the dice.
Thanks for any info or comments.
Jeff
But with regard to seat assignment, you can go on DL.com and just look up the flights to see what seats are still available if that's going to influence whether or not you want to SDC. The phone agent will be able to assign you a seat as soon as he/she confirms you on to the new flight, including, I believe, EC seats if you've already paid for one.
The only reason you'd need to wait for the gate is if a) the flight is full and no seats can be assigned (in which case, very unlikely you'd be able to SDC anyway, b) the only seats left are medallion preferred seats and you're not a medallion, or c) you have to SDS instead of SDC, in which case you're playing the lottery with even getting on the flight at all.
Oct 17, 2014, 8:51 am
#1631
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: Delta Platinum/1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 652
This is your biggest issue, I think. If any of your desired new flights are not on a DL metal plane (even if it is a codeshare), then it is not eligible for SDC.
Oct 17, 2014, 3:29 pm
#1633
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,788
Ok, that's all I have for Friday afternoon. Enjoy Hawaii!
Oct 17, 2014, 7:59 pm
#1634
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL FO, KM, & 1.7MM; UA nothing; HH♦; National EE
Posts: 6,344
