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
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
#198
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 142
read this change a thousand times over and guess what? The changes are pretty good. I really don't understand all the moaning and belly aching. You can simply fly SDS with more flexibility then the old (actually current) program. I mean, these changes will affect most of us, with the few that are purchasing YBM, so the flight you want to get on to get home, will still probably get on with no charge. You might wind up in a middle seat but at least you got home when you wanted to. Most of us are smart enough to figure out what flights will have the best chances of SDSing to. I for one love it.
2. Some people travel with luggage and can't fly standby.
3. Even if you think you are"smart enough to figure out what flights will have the best chances of SDSing to", you can still be bumped for other travelers due to IROPS etc.
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
1. As was stated above, if you happen to miss your flight, you are screwed.
2. Some people travel with luggage and can't fly standby.
3. Even if you think you are"smart enough to figure out what flights will have the best chances of SDSing to", you can still be bumped for other travelers due to IROPS etc.
2. Some people travel with luggage and can't fly standby.
3. Even if you think you are"smart enough to figure out what flights will have the best chances of SDSing to", you can still be bumped for other travelers due to IROPS etc.
If you request standby before checking in you can check luggage. It will be tagged with a standby luggage tag and most likely will arrive on the flight on which you are requesting standby.
One catch with the SDS is that it states that you can only SDS if SDC is not available. What if SDC is available but you don't want to pay the fee will you still be able to use SDS (as a GM+)? My guess is no...
#200
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: KATL
Programs: DL DM/2MM
Posts: 2,034
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Maybe its just my travel patterns, but I don't understand why somebody would want to go on standby. Do you want to go to the airport and sit around for hours not knowing if you'll get on an earlier flight in row 44 middle seat and pay $50 for the privilege, or be stuck wasting all of that time just to be on your original flight? Maybe some pax have all day to blow sitting around a lovely terminal, but most people don't.
The whole deal about the WNUP fares is bull also. So forked over money, WFBF, am supposedly a 'premium' customer now that DL is making lots of money off, but that flexibility of SDC is now gone. Enjoy holding a P or A ticket and being told nope, you can't SDC because the other flight only has F. Oh and you also can't even get confirmed into coach because there is no H available either from your H-UP basis. But sure you can standby for another 50 bucks and trade in your first class seat for a middle in the back if you happen to get on the flight.
The whole deal about the WNUP fares is bull also. So forked over money, WFBF, am supposedly a 'premium' customer now that DL is making lots of money off, but that flexibility of SDC is now gone. Enjoy holding a P or A ticket and being told nope, you can't SDC because the other flight only has F. Oh and you also can't even get confirmed into coach because there is no H available either from your H-UP basis. But sure you can standby for another 50 bucks and trade in your first class seat for a middle in the back if you happen to get on the flight.
#203
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Posts: 762
The whole deal about the WNUP fares is bull also. So forked over money, WFBF, am supposedly a 'premium' customer now that DL is making lots of money off, but that flexibility of SDC is now gone. Enjoy holding a P or A ticket and being told nope, you can't SDC because the other flight only has F. Oh and you also can't even get confirmed into coach because there is no H available either from your H-UP basis. But sure you can standby for another 50 bucks and trade in your first class seat for a middle in the back if you happen to get on the flight.
Happydad
#204
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
read this change a thousand times over and guess what? The changes are pretty good. I really don't understand all the moaning and belly aching. You can simply fly SDS with more flexibility then the old (actually current) program. I mean, these changes will affect most of us, with the few that are purchasing YBM, so the flight you want to get on to get home, will still probably get on with no charge. You might wind up in a middle seat but at least you got home when you wanted to. Most of us are smart enough to figure out what flights will have the best chances of SDSing to. I for one love it.
Yeah, sounds the same as now, get confirmed on your flight, sit in the club having a glass of wine, go to the gate to board Sky Priority, guaranteed overhead space.
Last edited by MR_MAMA; Apr 11, 2013 at 8:50 pm
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,206
The new thing will be shena on the standby list instead of the upgrade list.
#206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
...
The whole deal about the WNUP fares is bull also. So forked over money, WFBF, am supposedly a 'premium' customer now that DL is making lots of money off, but that flexibility of SDC is now gone. Enjoy holding a P or A ticket and being told nope, you can't SDC because the other flight only has F. Oh and you also can't even get confirmed into coach because there is no H available either from your H-UP basis. But sure you can standby for another 50 bucks and trade in your first class seat for a middle in the back if you happen to get on the flight.
The whole deal about the WNUP fares is bull also. So forked over money, WFBF, am supposedly a 'premium' customer now that DL is making lots of money off, but that flexibility of SDC is now gone. Enjoy holding a P or A ticket and being told nope, you can't SDC because the other flight only has F. Oh and you also can't even get confirmed into coach because there is no H available either from your H-UP basis. But sure you can standby for another 50 bucks and trade in your first class seat for a middle in the back if you happen to get on the flight.
#207
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / JFK
Programs: Variety of rectangular cards with my name on it
Posts: 665
read this change a thousand times over and guess what? The changes are pretty good. I really don't understand all the moaning and belly aching. You can simply fly SDS with more flexibility then the old (actually current) program. I mean, these changes will affect most of us, with the few that are purchasing YBM, so the flight you want to get on to get home, will still probably get on with no charge. You might wind up in a middle seat but at least you got home when you wanted to. Most of us are smart enough to figure out what flights will have the best chances of SDSing to. I for one love it.
#208
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / JFK
Programs: Variety of rectangular cards with my name on it
Posts: 665
SDS though is not available for Canadian flights. Does not make any sense at all.
#209
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: KATL
Programs: DL DM/2MM
Posts: 2,034
But I have no idea why SDS isn't allowed for Canadian flights, like it is today.
#210
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Mesilla, NM
Programs: DL DM 4.7 MM MQM Marriott Ambassador Lifetime Titanium AA CK
Posts: 2,714