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 2, 2020, 9:12 am
#4276
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4. When did this become unofficial? It was a published benefit (at least for DM) that you could SDC an international ticket/PNR after all international segments have been flown, although IME some agents insisted that this must be done at the airport (and obviously after clearing customs).
Some other comments:
You can buy up to a higher coach fare class (pay the fare difference) to SDC.
Instrument supported upgrades (GUCs/RUCs and miles) are treated like FC or C+ if the ticket has been reissued. Obviously this requires upgrade inventory sufficiently far in advance of the SDC window or an agent who's willing to process the upgrade, reissue the ticket, and then process a SDC.
IME some agents will try to convince you to do SDS instead of SDC, especially if you're entitled to SDC a discounted FC ticket into any available FC seat. It is NOT NOT NOT true that you will be at the top of the gate upgrade list. Most GAs process upgrades before clearing standbys, so if you SDS, there is virtually NO CHANCE of any upgrade. Even ATL SC agents have insisted that I would end up in FC even after I told them why this is false.
If you SDC after an international arrival and have checked bags, be sure to go the the service desk right after clearing customs to do the SDC and get the bag retagged for the new flights. The airport arrival screamers will try to insist that you just drop any tagged bags and exit to the terminal, but once your bag is gone, it can be very difficult to SDC even if you're willing to return to the airport to pick up the (voluntarily separated, just like if you had checked it after the deadline) bag.
Some other comments:
You can buy up to a higher coach fare class (pay the fare difference) to SDC.
Instrument supported upgrades (GUCs/RUCs and miles) are treated like FC or C+ if the ticket has been reissued. Obviously this requires upgrade inventory sufficiently far in advance of the SDC window or an agent who's willing to process the upgrade, reissue the ticket, and then process a SDC.
IME some agents will try to convince you to do SDS instead of SDC, especially if you're entitled to SDC a discounted FC ticket into any available FC seat. It is NOT NOT NOT true that you will be at the top of the gate upgrade list. Most GAs process upgrades before clearing standbys, so if you SDS, there is virtually NO CHANCE of any upgrade. Even ATL SC agents have insisted that I would end up in FC even after I told them why this is false.
If you SDC after an international arrival and have checked bags, be sure to go the the service desk right after clearing customs to do the SDC and get the bag retagged for the new flights. The airport arrival screamers will try to insist that you just drop any tagged bags and exit to the terminal, but once your bag is gone, it can be very difficult to SDC even if you're willing to return to the airport to pick up the (voluntarily separated, just like if you had checked it after the deadline) bag.
It should be noted you can SDC on a wholly domestic ticket without needing to retag bags. Passenger bag matching is not required for domestic flights. DL won't pay to deliver them to your house, but will get them to the airport so you can pickup at.
Dec 30, 2020, 1:20 pm
#4277
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This is a really long thread. I know SDC is free for Gold and above and not eligible on international flights, but what about the connecting flights that are part of the ticket?
Can I do a SDC on HND-SEA-YVR? If so and assuming the fare class is available, can I do HND-SEA-ATL-YVR? I know I'm adding a segment, but I'm not going from a flight with connections to one that is direct.
Can I do a SDC on HND-SEA-YVR? If so and assuming the fare class is available, can I do HND-SEA-ATL-YVR? I know I'm adding a segment, but I'm not going from a flight with connections to one that is direct.
Dec 30, 2020, 1:33 pm
#4278
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The rule has been that you can SDC/PNR an international ticket after all international segments have been flown. I've had phone agents tell me that this must be done in the international (arrival) gateway airport after going through customs, which means talking to the service desk there (unfortunately not the SC as they seem to know more about SDC) before re-depositing any checked bags.
However, your bigger problem is that the ATL connection is unlikely to be a legal routing, even if Canada counts as domestic for DL for this purpose----and I don't know the current rule on this.
However, your bigger problem is that the ATL connection is unlikely to be a legal routing, even if Canada counts as domestic for DL for this purpose----and I don't know the current rule on this.
Dec 30, 2020, 8:42 pm
#4279
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The rule has been that you can SDC/PNR an international ticket after all international segments have been flown. I've had phone agents tell me that this must be done in the international (arrival) gateway airport after going through customs, which means talking to the service desk there (unfortunately not the SC as they seem to know more about SDC) before re-depositing any checked bags.
However, your bigger problem is that the ATL connection is unlikely to be a legal routing, even if Canada counts as domestic for DL for this purpose----and I don't know the current rule on this.
However, your bigger problem is that the ATL connection is unlikely to be a legal routing, even if Canada counts as domestic for DL for this purpose----and I don't know the current rule on this.
So given what you said, when and which airport should I be making a call about a SDC?
Dec 30, 2020, 9:46 pm
#4280
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You need to check your ticket receipt (is it a single fare component or a broken fare?) and then look at the routings allowed in your fare rules. However, flying from SEA to YVR with a connection in ATL is highly unlikely to be allowed under any fare rules; a DL agent will probably notice this immediately.
Dec 30, 2020, 11:20 pm
#4282
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You need to check your ticket receipt (is it a single fare component or a broken fare?) and then look at the routings allowed in your fare rules. However, flying from SEA to YVR with a connection in ATL is highly unlikely to be allowed under any fare rules; a DL agent will probably notice this immediately.
Dec 30, 2020, 11:21 pm
#4283
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Dec 30, 2020, 11:21 pm
#4284
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Then the GA would put a little sticky strip on the ticket with new flight details and lift your paper ticket as you boarded. You could also go to the gate of a different carrier and if they interlined, get on if there was an empty seat. PMNW even had a program to encourage this, called something like "bring us more passengers" and government agencies encouraged it, so you could use any airline that would accept the government fare.
Dec 31, 2020, 7:43 am
#4286
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Dec 31, 2020, 10:22 am
#4287
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The thing is, it's not a matter of opinion. It's about the fare rules and how much a desk agent is willing to bend/break the rules. Just understand that you're not asking for an agent to just push a button and waive a fee for a checked bag that's 2 lbs overweight. You're asking them to do quite a bit of legwork in rebooking your existing ticket in a way that will almost certainly violate a number of fare validity rules for your ticket. Doesn't hurt to ask, I guess. Just don't be surprised if you're told "no".
Dec 31, 2020, 3:05 pm
#4289
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Feb 8, 2021, 9:20 am
#4290
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Same day confirmed question
I've successfully used SDC quite a bit, but haven't hit this scenario (yet): Wife and I are flying this month and have a question regarding same day confirmed. As of now, we depart on Monday 2/18 and connect in Atlanta overnighting locally. Our next leg is Tuesday 2/19. There is a flight on 2/18 that we could easily connect to. The flights were booked as a legal option on Delta (didn't select multi leg). My question is that the "terms" (Below) seem to infer that the same day change is driven by the initial departure date. So, can we change the second leg to return on 2/18? We need to understand the definition of "originally scheduled departure", does it relate to the first leg departure, or is the second leg departure considered?
"(8) Same-Day Confirmed: As a Diamond, Platinum or Gold Medallion Member, you may request a same-day change to your itinerary and be confirmed at no extra charge, except when flying on a Basic Economy (E) fare. To make a same-day confirmed change when booked in Main Cabin your original fare class must be available. To make a same-day confirmed change when booked in our premium cabins -- including Delta One®, First and Business Class -- you may make a same-day confirmed change as long as a seat is available in the premium cabin. Your request can be made within 24 hours prior to your original departure time. Your new departure time must still be on the same day as your originally scheduled departure."
"(8) Same-Day Confirmed: As a Diamond, Platinum or Gold Medallion Member, you may request a same-day change to your itinerary and be confirmed at no extra charge, except when flying on a Basic Economy (E) fare. To make a same-day confirmed change when booked in Main Cabin your original fare class must be available. To make a same-day confirmed change when booked in our premium cabins -- including Delta One®, First and Business Class -- you may make a same-day confirmed change as long as a seat is available in the premium cabin. Your request can be made within 24 hours prior to your original departure time. Your new departure time must still be on the same day as your originally scheduled departure."