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
#1651
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
A significant amount of F fares these days are XWNUP / QWNUP / VWNUP etc.
Or are these treated as true F tickets for purposes of SDC?
EDIT - I think Rylan already answered this a few pages back on further skimming. Seems like YMMV with the agents but the general consensus is that these are to be treated as F fares for purpose of SCd.
Or are these treated as true F tickets for purposes of SDC?
EDIT - I think Rylan already answered this a few pages back on further skimming. Seems like YMMV with the agents but the general consensus is that these are to be treated as F fares for purpose of SCd.
#1652
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,166
Correct... if you have a confirmed FPAG ticket or one that is reissued/ticketed in RP/OP from using miles or an upgrade instrument, you can SDC as long as there is an available seat in the cabin... same inventory or fare basis is not required.
Note depending on the agent, it may take additional calls or live 'retraining' especially, for example, if they insist you need A inventory to SDC from your A ticket and all that is left is F or P.
Note depending on the agent, it may take additional calls or live 'retraining' especially, for example, if they insist you need A inventory to SDC from your A ticket and all that is left is F or P.
#1653
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 1,815
I apologize if I missed this, but I couldn't seem to find the latest rules on red-eyes (I swear the Delta website used to specifically mention it, but I can't find it now).
Do the same day rules mean 12 to 12, or are there exceptions for red-eyes? Specifically, if I am on the first flight out in the morning, can I change to a red-eye the night before at 11:30 pm? I'm guessing not...
Do the same day rules mean 12 to 12, or are there exceptions for red-eyes? Specifically, if I am on the first flight out in the morning, can I change to a red-eye the night before at 11:30 pm? I'm guessing not...
#1654
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Orlando
Programs: DL DM 2MM (NW+DL) FI Gold
Posts: 787
I booked a coach fare a few weeks ago, SEA-MCI, and opted to buy the upgrade offered on dl.com yesterday. So now I'm upfront on a G fare.
I have not SDC in years, and I know rules have changed, but in reading this thread, it seems like I can change flights as long as F>0 on what I want to SDC to, and it is bookable routing.
I'm looking at changing my outbound trip, which is booked SEA-SLC-DTW-MCI, to SEA-ATL-MCI or SEA-DTW-MCI, for the bonus miles out of SEA, so from what I have read, should be ok as long as F is available. Yes?
Would they accept something like SEA-DTW-ATL-MCI?
I was looking at the fare rules on a dummy booking for this, and I don't see any specific city pairings listed, so I don't know if they will buy a creative routing, even if F>0 on the flights I want.
To SDC, is this a callll the DM desk, or can I do this on dl.com, and see available options that come up, as I have seen in an IRROPS situation?
As a DM I should know this, but I just don't SDC, so I'll say thanks for your patience with a very basic question upfront.
Thanks.
I have not SDC in years, and I know rules have changed, but in reading this thread, it seems like I can change flights as long as F>0 on what I want to SDC to, and it is bookable routing.
I'm looking at changing my outbound trip, which is booked SEA-SLC-DTW-MCI, to SEA-ATL-MCI or SEA-DTW-MCI, for the bonus miles out of SEA, so from what I have read, should be ok as long as F is available. Yes?
Would they accept something like SEA-DTW-ATL-MCI?
I was looking at the fare rules on a dummy booking for this, and I don't see any specific city pairings listed, so I don't know if they will buy a creative routing, even if F>0 on the flights I want.
To SDC, is this a callll the DM desk, or can I do this on dl.com, and see available options that come up, as I have seen in an IRROPS situation?
As a DM I should know this, but I just don't SDC, so I'll say thanks for your patience with a very basic question upfront.
Thanks.
#1655
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHI
Posts: 501
I booked a coach fare a few weeks ago, SEA-MCI, and opted to buy the upgrade offered on dl.com yesterday. So now I'm upfront on a G fare.
I have not SDC in years, and I know rules have changed, but in reading this thread, it seems like I can change flights as long as F>0 on what I want to SDC to, and it is bookable routing.
I'm looking at changing my outbound trip, which is booked SEA-SLC-DTW-MCI, to SEA-ATL-MCI or SEA-DTW-MCI, for the bonus miles out of SEA, so from what I have read, should be ok as long as F is available. Yes?
Would they accept something like SEA-DTW-ATL-MCI?
I was looking at the fare rules on a dummy booking for this, and I don't see any specific city pairings listed, so I don't know if they will buy a creative routing, even if F>0 on the flights I want.
To SDC, is this a callll the DM desk, or can I do this on dl.com, and see available options that come up, as I have seen in an IRROPS situation?
As a DM I should know this, but I just don't SDC, so I'll say thanks for your patience with a very basic question upfront.
Thanks.
I have not SDC in years, and I know rules have changed, but in reading this thread, it seems like I can change flights as long as F>0 on what I want to SDC to, and it is bookable routing.
I'm looking at changing my outbound trip, which is booked SEA-SLC-DTW-MCI, to SEA-ATL-MCI or SEA-DTW-MCI, for the bonus miles out of SEA, so from what I have read, should be ok as long as F is available. Yes?
Would they accept something like SEA-DTW-ATL-MCI?
I was looking at the fare rules on a dummy booking for this, and I don't see any specific city pairings listed, so I don't know if they will buy a creative routing, even if F>0 on the flights I want.
To SDC, is this a callll the DM desk, or can I do this on dl.com, and see available options that come up, as I have seen in an IRROPS situation?
As a DM I should know this, but I just don't SDC, so I'll say thanks for your patience with a very basic question upfront.
Thanks.
#1657
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHI
Posts: 501
Although beware that when you go to change there is no confirmation screen -- it changes the flight pretty abruptly (which, unlike most DL IT actually works).
#1658
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,023
That is no longer true. It now requests confirmation before actually changing your flight. However, it still uses a SDC window that extends 24 hours from the current time rather than the published same day window. This can potentially allow one to SDC to a day before or a day after your existing flight.
#1659
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHI
Posts: 501
That is no longer true. It now requests confirmation before actually changing your flight. However, it still uses a SDC window that extends 24 hours from the current time rather than the published same day window. This can potentially allow one to SDC to a day before or a day after your existing flight.
If I'm flying tomorrow at 8 am, I could depart tonight at 8 pm with this 'flaw'?
#1660
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: IPT
Programs: DL Diamond, Hilton Life Diamond, Hertz Presidents, former US former Charimans
Posts: 131
Welcome to FlyerTalk Delta forum!
You're absolutely right, and very weird, that the rules are missing from here :
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-changes.html#
I believe the rules are/were:
The new flight has to be anytime the same calendar day as your original flight, and/or up til 2AM departure the next morning.
You're absolutely right, and very weird, that the rules are missing from here :
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-changes.html#
I believe the rules are/were:
The new flight has to be anytime the same calendar day as your original flight, and/or up til 2AM departure the next morning.
I would think a better "break point" would be for example 3AM-2:59AM, since there's almost always a dead time with no departures say 2a-5a.
Perhaps it was just too complicated to implement in software, whereas actually being the same calendar day is easy?
#1661
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,493
More SDC questions
I have an award booking in F ending with LAX-DTW-JFK. The LAX-DTW sement is a redeye, leaving at 11pm on day 1 and the DTW-JFK segment is an early morning flight on day 2 after a 2 hour layover. I understand that I can request a SDC as early as 24 hours before LAX-DTW, but is that just for the first segment or can I SDC both segments to day 1? Technically I would be moving the second segment from day 2 to day 1 if I could SDC the entire trip to day 1. If this is allowed, can I change routing to LAX-MSP-JFK or LAX-ATL-JFK, for example, or is original routing required? I realize I can no longer SDC to a non-stop with the new rules.
#1662
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: AA EXP, United PS, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Amtrak
Posts: 1,254
I have an award booking in F ending with LAX-DTW-JFK. The LAX-DTW sement is a redeye, leaving at 11pm on day 1 and the DTW-JFK segment is an early morning flight on day 2 after a 2 hour layover. I understand that I can request a SDC as early as 24 hours before LAX-DTW, but is that just for the first segment or can I SDC both segments to day 1? Technically I would be moving the second segment from day 2 to day 1 if I could SDC the entire trip to day 1. If this is allowed, can I change routing to LAX-MSP-JFK or LAX-ATL-JFK, for example, or is original routing required? I realize I can no longer SDC to a non-stop with the new rules.
No issue with SDCing a redeye to an earlier flight.
You can change the routing/connecting city to whatever works best for you.
#1663
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: 21,358
day of departure governs the entire itinerary ... you should be able to change to any LAX-XXX-JFK on day 1, as long as there are available F seats on both segments (if you have the time, you might see if they will let you go LAX-SFO-JFK to keep a connecting itinerary and snag a TCON BE flight)
#1664
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,493
day of departure governs the entire itinerary ... you should be able to change to any LAX-XXX-JFK on day 1, as long as there are available F seats on both segments (if you have the time, you might see if they will let you go LAX-SFO-JFK to keep a connecting itinerary and snag a TCON BE flight)
#1665
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,072
Poked around in this thread but couldn't find the answer: If I'm currently booked on a domestic red-eye to ATL connecting to the first flight to my destination might I be able to SDC after arriving in ATL to an evening flight?
It's not a broken fare, so I'd be breaking the 4hr layover rule.
It's not a broken fare, so I'd be breaking the 4hr layover rule.