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
#4246
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: 27,042
I'm confused about my upgrade/standby status for a flight I've checked in for.
Flying AF marketed LAX-ATL-CDG-FCO on a AF Premium Economy ticket. The itinerary is coded at "A." LAX-ATL is on DL metal and I've reserved a C+ seat which is the highest class of service I could reserve for that flight (unfortunately it's not a 777 so no PS seats).
But after checking in I've noticed the DL LAX-ATL segment is now coded as "First Class (OU)." I still have my confirmed C+ seat. When I view the Upgrade/Sandby list I don't see my name but it reads on the page in red letters: "Your name will not appear on the Standby list until you are activated by the gate agent."
So many questions. Was my ticket in fact an "Op-Up" ticket? Do medallions, of which I am one (Gold), have upgrade priority over me? About how long before the flight does the GA activated me? Do I have to indicate to the GA I am present? I see on the seat map there are currently 2 seats open in FC. Do I even have a chance for an upgrade?
Flying AF marketed LAX-ATL-CDG-FCO on a AF Premium Economy ticket. The itinerary is coded at "A." LAX-ATL is on DL metal and I've reserved a C+ seat which is the highest class of service I could reserve for that flight (unfortunately it's not a 777 so no PS seats).
But after checking in I've noticed the DL LAX-ATL segment is now coded as "First Class (OU)." I still have my confirmed C+ seat. When I view the Upgrade/Sandby list I don't see my name but it reads on the page in red letters: "Your name will not appear on the Standby list until you are activated by the gate agent."
So many questions. Was my ticket in fact an "Op-Up" ticket? Do medallions, of which I am one (Gold), have upgrade priority over me? About how long before the flight does the GA activated me? Do I have to indicate to the GA I am present? I see on the seat map there are currently 2 seats open in FC. Do I even have a chance for an upgrade?
#4247
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: JFK/EWR/SFO/LAX/YYZ <-> HKG, PEK, CKG
Programs: CX, Hyatt
Posts: 155
Question
OW flyer here. Read through wiki and search results but wanted to clarify. Rule says "If you have a premium cabin fare like Delta One®, Delta Premium Select or First Class you may make a Same-Day Confirmed change as long as a seat is available in the cabin purchased or a lower cabin". Does that mean if I purchase a Delta One from LAX to JFK, I can SDC to earlier flight into same Delta One cabin as long as there's any revenue seat ie "J" fare code?
Also, the fee is $75 without fare difference? Not sure what "Applicable Change Fee — These fees vary based on your ticket and applicable fare rules." means and how it applies. Thanks.
Also, the fee is $75 without fare difference? Not sure what "Applicable Change Fee — These fees vary based on your ticket and applicable fare rules." means and how it applies. Thanks.
#4248
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
OW flyer here. Read through wiki and search results but wanted to clarify. Rule says "If you have a premium cabin fare like Delta One®, Delta Premium Select or First Class you may make a Same-Day Confirmed change as long as a seat is available in the cabin purchased or a lower cabin". Does that mean if I purchase a Delta One from LAX to JFK, I can SDC to earlier flight into same Delta One cabin as long as there's any revenue seat ie "J" fare code?
Also, the fee is $75 without fare difference? Not sure what "Applicable Change Fee — These fees vary based on your ticket and applicable fare rules." means and how it applies. Thanks.
Also, the fee is $75 without fare difference? Not sure what "Applicable Change Fee — These fees vary based on your ticket and applicable fare rules." means and how it applies. Thanks.
#4249
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,308
As a Medallion, I get free changes from any flight to any other if I'm in F or J. (I can't switch from connections to nonstop, but I can go from nonstop to connection.) So yes, your fee would be $75. (That includes when you've bought an upgrade, for cash or using miles or a certificate.)
#4250
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
OW flyer here. Read through wiki and search results but wanted to clarify. Rule says "If you have a premium cabin fare like Delta One®, Delta Premium Select or First Class you may make a Same-Day Confirmed change as long as a seat is available in the cabin purchased or a lower cabin". Does that mean if I purchase a Delta One from LAX to JFK, I can SDC to earlier flight into same Delta One cabin as long as there's any revenue seat ie "J" fare code?
If your flight is SDC eligible, then there is no fare difference or another change fee that applies - only the SDC fee. If your flight is not SDC-eligible, then fare rules apply.
#4253
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: 21,368
there’s no need to do SDS on a paid F ticket if you’re willing to confirm in C+ or Y; I’m not an authority on the process, but at that point you should be at the top of the UG list
#4254
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
If you want to clear only into F, you should still be ahead of medallion and other gate upgrades, but again, I'd ensure the GA knew about you.
#4255
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3,097
#4256
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3,097
If you SDS you will NOT get an F seat. You won't clear until after upgrades process. I've done this before, I SDS'd onto the first flight on my ticket because it was completely full, a seat opened up, I was cleared into Y. For the 2nd flight, they would NOT confirm me even though there were open F seats (they said they couldn't confirm me since I was SDS on the first segment).
#4257
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: 18,916
*There are two lists on the DL SDC page, one of which includes Canada and the other doesn't
#4258
#4259
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,342
Wow, took me some time to find this thread.
Just wanted to confirm what I already think to be true ...
If i want to SDC a medallion upgraded to F flight I will not automatically be put in F (assuming space is available), but would SDC to coach and be put on upgrade list. Correct?
Just wanted to confirm what I already think to be true ...
If i want to SDC a medallion upgraded to F flight I will not automatically be put in F (assuming space is available), but would SDC to coach and be put on upgrade list. Correct?
#4260
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL
Posts: 466
Wow, took me some time to find this thread.
Just wanted to confirm what I already think to be true ...
If i want to SDC a medallion upgraded to F flight I will not automatically be put in F (assuming space is available), but would SDC to coach and be put on upgrade list. Correct?
Just wanted to confirm what I already think to be true ...
If i want to SDC a medallion upgraded to F flight I will not automatically be put in F (assuming space is available), but would SDC to coach and be put on upgrade list. Correct?