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
Nov 10, 2015, 7:15 pm
#2131
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Nov 10, 2015, 8:25 pm
#2132
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I know you can't go from a connection to a nonstop - but the reverse, I would think would depend on whether JFK/LAX/PHX is a valid routing for the fare (basis) that you purchased.
So, IF it is indeed a valid routing, certainly your companions can do it, but, if they're not Gold or higher, they'll each be charged the SDC fee of $50.
Here are all the rules:
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...l-changes.html
So, IF it is indeed a valid routing, certainly your companions can do it, but, if they're not Gold or higher, they'll each be charged the SDC fee of $50.
Here are all the rules:
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...l-changes.html
Only if it's a valid connection for the fare. While I've not had problems with changing connecting itineraries to non fare valid routings, in my experience they do look at it being a valid routing when changing nonstop to connection. Some will says it's not possible Ala no connections to nonstops. It is but only if the fare routing is valid. HUACA may have to be done to get it processed.
That's fantastic to hear, kjnangre. Gives me a ray of hope. If I may, could you share with us, the route that you take, and how you go about doing the SDC from G A P fares to D1?! Thanks much!
Nov 10, 2015, 8:31 pm
#2133
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It might be necessary to SDC to a connection, then SDC to the desired connection if it isn't allowed by the fare rules; however, that would cost two SDC changes for the non-elites.
Nov 10, 2015, 8:32 pm
#2134
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Phone and ask politely. Be prepared to point out exactly where on Delta's web site it says you can so long as the seats are available.
Nov 10, 2015, 8:34 pm
#2135
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
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I book SFO-DTW-YUL and SDC to SFO-JFK-YUL. Same thing on the return. I book the earliest flight in the morning and then call in (exactly) 24 hrs before my booked flight
Nov 10, 2015, 8:56 pm
#2136
Join Date: Jun 2013
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No, it's specifically allowed by the rules, which intentionally refer to "premium cabin" rather than "F".
It might be necessary to SDC to a connection, then SDC to the desired connection if it isn't allowed by the fare rules; however, that would cost two SDC changes for the non-elites.
It might be necessary to SDC to a connection, then SDC to the desired connection if it isn't allowed by the fare rules; however, that would cost two SDC changes for the non-elites.
Thanks for the info, kjnangre. Much appreciated!
Nov 10, 2015, 9:11 pm
#2137
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That said, your other hurdle, of course, will be finding flights at the last minute with 3 J seats open. F & J seats are selling like HOTCAKES!!!
I just did a SDC on LAX/JFK onto a B763, at about the 23 hour mark, and the J seat availability was teeter tottering back and forth for a coupl'a days between 0 and 1 seat! I did snag it - - - therefore my post in the celeb thread about sitting opposite Leo DiCaprio - and talked very briefly - (but didn't even know it was him!
)
Nov 11, 2015, 9:01 am
#2138
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YTO/DEL/BOM/GAU
Programs: A few airlines, hotel programs and car rentals
Posts: 1,238
That said, your other hurdle, of course, will be finding flights at the last minute with 3 J seats open. F & J seats are selling like HOTCAKES!!!
I just did a SDC on LAX/JFK onto a B763, at about the 23 hour mark, and the J seat availability was teeter tottering back and forth for a coupl'a days between 0 and 1 seat! I did snag it - - - therefore my post in the celeb thread about sitting opposite Leo DiCaprio - and talked very briefly - (but didn't even know it was him!)
I just did a SDC on LAX/JFK onto a B763, at about the 23 hour mark, and the J seat availability was teeter tottering back and forth for a coupl'a days between 0 and 1 seat! I did snag it - - - therefore my post in the celeb thread about sitting opposite Leo DiCaprio - and talked very briefly - (but didn't even know it was him!
)But 5.5 hours on a B738! Ouch!
Nov 11, 2015, 12:19 pm
#2139
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some of us -- davetravels probably included -- might well opt for a 738 over a 739
I was up front on the oldest of DL's original 757 fleet that's still in the active inventory (ship 612, delivered Sep 1985) the other night SEA-JFK, and found it orders of magnitude more comfortable than the "enhanced" F seat in the 739
I was up front on the oldest of DL's original 757 fleet that's still in the active inventory (ship 612, delivered Sep 1985) the other night SEA-JFK, and found it orders of magnitude more comfortable than the "enhanced" F seat in the 739
Nov 11, 2015, 12:26 pm
#2140
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 320
some of us -- davetravels probably included -- might well opt for a 738 over a 739
I was up front on the oldest of DL's original 757 fleet that's still in the active inventory (ship 612, delivered Sep 1985) the other night SEA-JFK, and found it orders of magnitude more comfortable than the "enhanced" F seat in the 739
I was up front on the oldest of DL's original 757 fleet that's still in the active inventory (ship 612, delivered Sep 1985) the other night SEA-JFK, and found it orders of magnitude more comfortable than the "enhanced" F seat in the 739
Nov 11, 2015, 1:38 pm
#2141
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some of us -- davetravels probably included -- might well opt for a 738 over a 739
I was up front on the oldest of DL's original 757 fleet that's still in the active inventory (ship 612, delivered Sep 1985) the other night SEA-JFK, and found it orders of magnitude more comfortable than the "enhanced" F seat in the 739
I was up front on the oldest of DL's original 757 fleet that's still in the active inventory (ship 612, delivered Sep 1985) the other night SEA-JFK, and found it orders of magnitude more comfortable than the "enhanced" F seat in the 739
(Ok, maybe going upstairs beats it, but that doesn't happen on domestic birds)
Nov 11, 2015, 1:46 pm
#2142
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Minneapolis
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New same-day confirmed and same-day standby options
So....today I tried to SDC online for a earlier non stop as I booked a nonstop. No options expect connections. Called Plat line and was able to get on the earlier one. Did I get a override( didn't seem like it as she said there is space) or is Delta IT being dumb again. I was on T fare.
Nov 11, 2015, 1:53 pm
#2143
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No way to really know after the fact, but, I think it's safe to say that, most of us here, simply don't trust DL.com to SDC. Also, whenever I have tried it, there are almost always options available that don't show up online. I always verify fare class availability first via KVS. Better off just calling.
Nov 11, 2015, 1:59 pm
#2144
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How can I find out what a valid SDC routing is???
I am doing a DTW/BOS/ATL/LIM/ATL/BOS/DTW mileage run in a few weeks (I was able to grab one of the cheap fares in confirmed F/J) and it's my understanding that I can SDC on the return domestic flights. I tried doing a dummy booking on delta.dumb for a one way that day ATL/DTW and ATL/BOS/DTW isn't even coming up as an option. I'm trying to max. my rollover miles since I'm getting the 50% bonus MQMs being on a first class ticket and am landing around 8:30 a.m. in ATL and would love to do something like ATL to LAX, SFO or LAS to DTW for the max miles.
I am doing a DTW/BOS/ATL/LIM/ATL/BOS/DTW mileage run in a few weeks (I was able to grab one of the cheap fares in confirmed F/J) and it's my understanding that I can SDC on the return domestic flights. I tried doing a dummy booking on delta.dumb for a one way that day ATL/DTW and ATL/BOS/DTW isn't even coming up as an option. I'm trying to max. my rollover miles since I'm getting the 50% bonus MQMs being on a first class ticket and am landing around 8:30 a.m. in ATL and would love to do something like ATL to LAX, SFO or LAS to DTW for the max miles.
Nov 11, 2015, 2:07 pm
#2145
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You almost have to succeed in finding and printing the fare rules as you purchase the ticket. However, if you can inspect the fare calculation on your receipt, it should show where the fare was broken and thus what airports you must go through.