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
#2821
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Big Muddy Mile Marker 332
Programs: Delta-PM, HHonors-Diamond, Hyatt-Explorist, Hertz - Presidents
Posts: 335
There'za SkyClub in ANC?
If you're leaving tonight, there's no married segment V class availability from ANC/MSP/STL using the 9:25 AM MSP to STL flight.
But, there IS 1 seat left in V from MSP/STL, so, if it's still available when you get to MSP, they might let you do it if you don't have checked luggage.
If you're leaving tonight, there's no married segment V class availability from ANC/MSP/STL using the 9:25 AM MSP to STL flight.
But, there IS 1 seat left in V from MSP/STL, so, if it's still available when you get to MSP, they might let you do it if you don't have checked luggage.
#2822
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Even though you're already on the ANC/MSP flight, there would have to be V class availability all the way through from ANC/MSP/STL - and there simply ISN'T!
Now, when you get to MSP, you might get that same line that you can't change to a nonstop.
#2823
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,047
There'za SkyClub in ANC?
If you're leaving tonight, there's no married segment V class availability from ANC/MSP/STL using the 9:25 AM MSP to STL flight.
But, there IS 1 seat left in V from MSP/STL, so, if it's still available when you get to MSP, they might let you do it if you don't have checked luggage.
If you're leaving tonight, there's no married segment V class availability from ANC/MSP/STL using the 9:25 AM MSP to STL flight.
But, there IS 1 seat left in V from MSP/STL, so, if it's still available when you get to MSP, they might let you do it if you don't have checked luggage.
#2824
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Big Muddy Mile Marker 332
Programs: Delta-PM, HHonors-Diamond, Hyatt-Explorist, Hertz - Presidents
Posts: 335
That is exactly the line. Gal @ SC says this is a recent change that you can't do what I am asking. Then again she's the same one that told me I couldn't use a RU MSP>DTW when I asked that she check that it was applied correctly (I scored the UG ANC>MSP even tho none were avail when I had them apply) she was not helpful at all, so I called the plat line to make sure the RU was applied on the next flights as well, not I'm #1 on both lists. Still sucks I can't just change to the MSP>STL.
#2825
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
#2826
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
#2827
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,047
However your post wasn't about going back to the airport to pickup. It was about the agents being willing to rebook you. The agents are supposed to warn you, and in fact the kiosk/online will about this fact. Something along the lines of while DL will get your luggage to the airport, that since you're making a voluntary change we won't pay to deliver it. (although they will forward onto another airport that DL serves if you ask since there's no cost to them)
#2828
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
#2829
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,988
For SDS is it possible to fly a different route but end up at the same final destination? Any recent experiences? Agent would not add me to standby since my connecting city is different.
#2830
#2831
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,868
So I've tried with both google and FT search, and not had any luck...
I know the wiki says that MQMs are earned based on the route flown, but I can't tell how booked fare class plays into that. If FC is unavailable (sold out) on one or more legs of my 'new' flight, and I decide to take the downgrade to coach, how are MQMs earned? Are they based on the fare class I booked, or what I end up flying? If it's the latter, do I at least earn based on Y, or am I stuck with the lowest coach class available on the flight?
Many thanks...
I know the wiki says that MQMs are earned based on the route flown, but I can't tell how booked fare class plays into that. If FC is unavailable (sold out) on one or more legs of my 'new' flight, and I decide to take the downgrade to coach, how are MQMs earned? Are they based on the fare class I booked, or what I end up flying? If it's the latter, do I at least earn based on Y, or am I stuck with the lowest coach class available on the flight?
Many thanks...
#2832
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,047
So I've tried with both google and FT search, and not had any luck...
I know the wiki says that MQMs are earned based on the route flown, but I can't tell how booked fare class plays into that. If FC is unavailable (sold out) on one or more legs of my 'new' flight, and I decide to take the downgrade to coach, how are MQMs earned? Are they based on the fare class I booked, or what I end up flying? If it's the latter, do I at least earn based on Y, or am I stuck with the lowest coach class available on the flight?
Many thanks...
I know the wiki says that MQMs are earned based on the route flown, but I can't tell how booked fare class plays into that. If FC is unavailable (sold out) on one or more legs of my 'new' flight, and I decide to take the downgrade to coach, how are MQMs earned? Are they based on the fare class I booked, or what I end up flying? If it's the latter, do I at least earn based on Y, or am I stuck with the lowest coach class available on the flight?
Many thanks...
#2833
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Delta Diamond 1MM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 503
So I've tried with both google and FT search, and not had any luck...
I know the wiki says that MQMs are earned based on the route flown, but I can't tell how booked fare class plays into that. If FC is unavailable (sold out) on one or more legs of my 'new' flight, and I decide to take the downgrade to coach, how are MQMs earned? Are they based on the fare class I booked, or what I end up flying? If it's the latter, do I at least earn based on Y, or am I stuck with the lowest coach class available on the flight?
Many thanks...
I know the wiki says that MQMs are earned based on the route flown, but I can't tell how booked fare class plays into that. If FC is unavailable (sold out) on one or more legs of my 'new' flight, and I decide to take the downgrade to coach, how are MQMs earned? Are they based on the fare class I booked, or what I end up flying? If it's the latter, do I at least earn based on Y, or am I stuck with the lowest coach class available on the flight?
Many thanks...
So you get the MQM rate (100%, 150%, 200%, etc) for an "F" or any other fare paid, no matter where you sit. Although...if you change connections - the base number of MQMs you earn will rely on the actual segment(s) flown and not the originally ticketed segment(s).
#2835
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: 21,375
MQMs are based on originally paid class of service regardless of free upgrades, SDC changes or IRROPS changes.
So you get the MQM rate (100%, 150%, 200%, etc) for an "F" or any other fare paid, no matter where you sit. Although...if you change connections - the base number of MQMs you earn will rely on the actual segment(s) flown and not the originally ticketed segment(s).
So you get the MQM rate (100%, 150%, 200%, etc) for an "F" or any other fare paid, no matter where you sit. Although...if you change connections - the base number of MQMs you earn will rely on the actual segment(s) flown and not the originally ticketed segment(s).