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
Dec 20, 2016, 8:50 pm
#2836
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: DL GM through 1/2018, Hyatt Platinum through 1/2018
Posts: 19
This might be a dumb question, but if you do a Same Day confirmed or Same Day standby to an earlier flight, do you earn the same MQDs as you would have if you flew the original flight? I'm trying to re-earn Gold this year and want to make sure i'm earning the MQDs I need.
Dec 20, 2016, 9:08 pm
#2837
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: 27,046
This might be a dumb question, but if you do a Same Day confirmed or Same Day standby to an earlier flight, do you earn the same MQDs as you would have if you flew the original flight? I'm trying to re-earn Gold this year and want to make sure i'm earning the MQDs I need.
Dec 26, 2016, 3:21 pm
#2839
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.4MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold,
Posts: 5,225
Dec 26, 2016, 11:28 pm
#2840
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM. 1MM
Posts: 2,045
Standby for earlier flight with checked bags
I'm flying tomorrow on a late flight ATL NYC if it matters.
Would like to SDC to earlier flight but no far class availability.
I am now on standby for the earlier flight currently sitting at #3 for 15+ seats. Looks like I will clear.
I will need to check 2 bags for my trip. IF I make the earlier standby flight will my bags be transferred over to the earlier flight?
I'd gladly take the earlier flight even with a middle seat in the back but if the bags don't make it with me it doesn't help me.
Also if I do make the earlier flight and my bags do not would delta deliver them to me at home later this week?
PM if that matters for willingness of agents to grab bags from later flight.
Thanks.
Would like to SDC to earlier flight but no far class availability.
I am now on standby for the earlier flight currently sitting at #3 for 15+ seats. Looks like I will clear.
I will need to check 2 bags for my trip. IF I make the earlier standby flight will my bags be transferred over to the earlier flight?
I'd gladly take the earlier flight even with a middle seat in the back but if the bags don't make it with me it doesn't help me.
Also if I do make the earlier flight and my bags do not would delta deliver them to me at home later this week?
PM if that matters for willingness of agents to grab bags from later flight.
Thanks.
Dec 26, 2016, 11:36 pm
#2841
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I'm flying tomorrow on a late flight ATL NYC if it matters.
Would like to SDC to earlier flight but no far class availability.
I am now on standby for the earlier flight currently sitting at #3 for 15+ seats. Looks like I will clear.
I will need to check 2 bags for my trip. IF I make the earlier standby flight will my bags be transferred over to the earlier flight?
I'd gladly take the earlier flight even with a middle seat in the back but if the bags don't make it with me it doesn't help me.
Also if I do make the earlier flight and my bags do not would delta deliver them to me at home later this week?
PM if that matters for willingness of agents to grab bags from later flight.
Thanks.
Would like to SDC to earlier flight but no far class availability.
I am now on standby for the earlier flight currently sitting at #3 for 15+ seats. Looks like I will clear.
I will need to check 2 bags for my trip. IF I make the earlier standby flight will my bags be transferred over to the earlier flight?
I'd gladly take the earlier flight even with a middle seat in the back but if the bags don't make it with me it doesn't help me.
Also if I do make the earlier flight and my bags do not would delta deliver them to me at home later this week?
PM if that matters for willingness of agents to grab bags from later flight.
Thanks.
What you may have luck with is just getting your bags checked on the earlier flight to begin with. Let the check in agent know you are on standby for the earlier flight and would like your bags sent with it, knowing that they may arrive at your destination before you. If your SB doesn't clear, your bags will still go on and will be pulled from the carousel when you don't show to collect them. When you arrive on the later flight, you can go get them from the baggage service office.
Dec 27, 2016, 11:35 am
#2842
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM. 1MM
Posts: 2,045
DL will certainly NOT deliver them to your home, as they only do that if they mishandled them.
What you may have luck with is just getting your bags checked on the earlier flight to begin with. Let the check in agent know you are on standby for the earlier flight and would like your bags sent with it....
What you may have luck with is just getting your bags checked on the earlier flight to begin with. Let the check in agent know you are on standby for the earlier flight and would like your bags sent with it....
I will ask the check in agent to put my bags on the earlier flight. That was my first thought I'm just not sure how they treat those things with the security rule of bags must fly with the passenger. Or maybe that is no longer a hard and fast rule.
Heading to the airport shortly.. fingers crossed.
Thanks gooselee =)
Dec 27, 2016, 11:50 am
#2843
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I meant to say that if Delta said they would re-route them to the earlier flight but they did not make it would they then send to my home? I will not board the earlier flight without my bags. period. ATL sky Club is much better than that hospitality BS at EWR. Ugh. no.
I will ask the check in agent to put my bags on the earlier flight. That was my first thought I'm just not sure how they treat those things with the security rule of bags must fly with the passenger. Or maybe that is no longer a hard and fast rule.
Heading to the airport shortly.. fingers crossed.
Thanks gooselee =)
I will ask the check in agent to put my bags on the earlier flight. That was my first thought I'm just not sure how they treat those things with the security rule of bags must fly with the passenger. Or maybe that is no longer a hard and fast rule.
Heading to the airport shortly.. fingers crossed.
Thanks gooselee =)
If your bags do not make the flight they are *tagged* for, then it's considered a mishandling and DL needs to recover. Whether that means they'll deliver them to your home I do not know - others can chime in on the specific policies related to that. I live close enough to my home airport that the couple times my bags didn't make it with me, I found it faster to just have DL hold them at the baggage claim office and then go pick it up myself.
If your bags are tagged for the earlier flight, expect them to travel on that flight, even if you do not. If your bags are tagged for the later flight, expect them to travel on that flight, even if you do not.
Good luck!
Jan 10, 2017, 9:22 pm
#2844
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
I want to make sure I understand the policy correctly. I am currently PM.
I am looking at flying to Canada on the cheapest Y outbound and W on the return.
I can SDC the return to any pair of flights with W available, correct?
If I have a companion on the same record can they SDC to the same flight as me with no fee?
Looking at fare classes opening up (V in particular), it seems that Delta is rather stringent. Does anyone else have more experience regarding this?
I am looking at flying to Canada on the cheapest Y outbound and W on the return.
I can SDC the return to any pair of flights with W available, correct?
If I have a companion on the same record can they SDC to the same flight as me with no fee?
Looking at fare classes opening up (V in particular), it seems that Delta is rather stringent. Does anyone else have more experience regarding this?
Jan 10, 2017, 11:58 pm
#2845
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,946
I want to make sure I understand the policy correctly. I am currently PM.
I am looking at flying to Canada on the cheapest Y outbound and W on the return.
I can SDC the return to any pair of flights with W available, correct?
If I have a companion on the same record can they SDC to the same flight as me with no fee?
Looking at fare classes opening up (V in particular), it seems that Delta is rather stringent. Does anyone else have more experience regarding this?
I am looking at flying to Canada on the cheapest Y outbound and W on the return.
I can SDC the return to any pair of flights with W available, correct?
If I have a companion on the same record can they SDC to the same flight as me with no fee?
Looking at fare classes opening up (V in particular), it seems that Delta is rather stringent. Does anyone else have more experience regarding this?
2. Officially no, but in practice sometimes.
3. SDC on a V fare is not impossible.
all 3 questions are in the thread wiki BTW
Jan 11, 2017, 2:47 am
#2846
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 1,089
I want to make sure I understand the policy correctly. I am currently PM.
I am looking at flying to Canada on the cheapest Y outbound and W on the return.
I can SDC the return to any pair of flights with W available, correct?
If I have a companion on the same record can they SDC to the same flight as me with no fee?
Looking at fare classes opening up (V in particular), it seems that Delta is rather stringent. Does anyone else have more experience regarding this?
I am looking at flying to Canada on the cheapest Y outbound and W on the return.
I can SDC the return to any pair of flights with W available, correct?
If I have a companion on the same record can they SDC to the same flight as me with no fee?
Looking at fare classes opening up (V in particular), it seems that Delta is rather stringent. Does anyone else have more experience regarding this?
Jan 11, 2017, 5:51 am
#2847
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: 27,046
Positive bag matching is not required on domestic flights AFAIK. So your bags will just fly on whatever flight they are tagged for, regardless of what flight you as a person do or do not get on.
If your bags do not make the flight they are *tagged* for, then it's considered a mishandling and DL needs to recover. Whether that means they'll deliver them to your home I do not know - others can chime in on the specific policies related to that. I live close enough to my home airport that the couple times my bags didn't make it with me, I found it faster to just have DL hold them at the baggage claim office and then go pick it up myself.
If your bags are tagged for the earlier flight, expect them to travel on that flight, even if you do not. If your bags are tagged for the later flight, expect them to travel on that flight, even if you do not.
Good luck!
If your bags do not make the flight they are *tagged* for, then it's considered a mishandling and DL needs to recover. Whether that means they'll deliver them to your home I do not know - others can chime in on the specific policies related to that. I live close enough to my home airport that the couple times my bags didn't make it with me, I found it faster to just have DL hold them at the baggage claim office and then go pick it up myself.
If your bags are tagged for the earlier flight, expect them to travel on that flight, even if you do not. If your bags are tagged for the later flight, expect them to travel on that flight, even if you do not.
Good luck!
Jan 11, 2017, 8:55 am
#2848
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 1,089
Correct. With that said, personally, I haven't yet had a situation where my bags weren't "expedited" on an earlier flight if I check them in early enough. Have had several instances where my bags made it to my destination before me (despite them being originally tagged on the later flight)
Jan 11, 2017, 8:57 am
#2849
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
I did not know this. I have just been looking at EF rather than calling. Can you speak a little more as to how often they are different?
Jan 11, 2017, 9:05 am
#2850
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: 100,417
I think this means that a fare class might be available as inventory but not for sale due to advanced purchase requirements etc. What you see on EF is fare bucket availability while delta.dumb only shows fare classes that can actually be sold because all fare rules can be satisfied.
However, I've also been told that DL won't allow a SDC if doing so means that the flight will be oversold, so DL could be selling FULL Y, for example, but not willing to allow a SDC on a FULL Y fare. However, in this case, I think you could just rebook the ticket as a free change or even do a refund and new purchase to get onto the flight, so it wouldn't need to be called SDC.
However, I've also been told that DL won't allow a SDC if doing so means that the flight will be oversold, so DL could be selling FULL Y, for example, but not willing to allow a SDC on a FULL Y fare. However, in this case, I think you could just rebook the ticket as a free change or even do a refund and new purchase to get onto the flight, so it wouldn't need to be called SDC.