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
Feb 8, 2021, 10:14 am
#4291
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Posts: 21,376
as long as it's a thru fare priced as XXX-ATL-YYY rather than a broken fare (XXX-ATL and ATL-YYY priced separately), this *should* be possible
an analogy is redeye departures from the west coast, where the leg to the final destination departs the next day; granted that's slightly different from this overnight layover scenario ... which, since it exceeds 4 (6?) hours, is technically **NOT** a "connection" ... but from a fair amount of experience 2009-2019 it is indeed possible to SDC to an earlier departure and complete the trip on the same day (full disclosure: all said experience was in F, hence I didn't have to contend with the "original fare class must be available" limitation)
one other nit to pick: 2/18 is Thursday
an analogy is redeye departures from the west coast, where the leg to the final destination departs the next day; granted that's slightly different from this overnight layover scenario ... which, since it exceeds 4 (6?) hours, is technically **NOT** a "connection" ... but from a fair amount of experience 2009-2019 it is indeed possible to SDC to an earlier departure and complete the trip on the same day (full disclosure: all said experience was in F, hence I didn't have to contend with the "original fare class must be available" limitation)
one other nit to pick: 2/18 is Thursday
Feb 8, 2021, 10:41 am
#4292
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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The long connection at ATL being allowed (even with an earlier flight that seems to be a legal connection if I understand correctly that the OP isn't trying to change the first segment) makes me suspect that this is an international itinerary. If so, you can only SDC after all international segments have been flown, not 24 hours in advance of departure of the first flight.
Feb 8, 2021, 3:02 pm
#4294
Join Date: May 1999
Location: CVG
Programs: DL DM 4MM, Lifetime Marriott Plat Elite, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,429
The long connection was offered by Delta - and yes, international - but Caribbean (PUJ), and flying in paid FC - making "seat in that cabin" good as long as FC has seats.
Feb 8, 2021, 3:28 pm
#4295
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,072
The 6 hour layover rule applies to US domestic and Canada fares. Since PUJ is international, fares allow for connections up to 24 hours. Only US domestic and Canada flights qualify for SDC (with exceptions often being given for last domestic segment on return as noted above). I wouldn't count on them making an exception for outbound international.
- You can use the Same-Day Confirmed option for travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and Delta Connection® flights. It is not available for international flights.
Feb 8, 2021, 6:02 pm
#4296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
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Posts: 21,376
outbound - nope, as stated, because it's an international itinerary
return - you're at the mercy of the agent (or supervisor) after you land at ATL ... there are stories of people calling in before clearing customs and immigration, mainly because waiting to go directly to the gate of the earlier departing flight after re-clearing security ran the risk of a limited number of open seats disappearing
return - you're at the mercy of the agent (or supervisor) after you land at ATL ... there are stories of people calling in before clearing customs and immigration, mainly because waiting to go directly to the gate of the earlier departing flight after re-clearing security ran the risk of a limited number of open seats disappearing
Feb 9, 2021, 9:13 am
#4297
Join Date: May 1999
Location: CVG
Programs: DL DM 4MM, Lifetime Marriott Plat Elite, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,429
This is the return flight, PUJ - ATL - CVG. Given that the Dominican Republic is not included in the list of Caribbean countries eligible for SDC, I have to agree that it will be a stretch and most likely not be an option. We are not changing the PUJ - ATL leg, only wanting to change the ATL - CVG leg.
Feb 9, 2021, 11:44 am
#4298
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,417
This is the return flight, PUJ - ATL - CVG. Given that the Dominican Republic is not included in the list of Caribbean countries eligible for SDC, I have to agree that it will be a stretch and most likely not be an option. We are not changing the PUJ - ATL leg, only wanting to change the ATL - CVG leg.
Feb 9, 2021, 11:50 am
#4299
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Posts: 21,376
You should be eligible to SDC or SDS the last segment, but this must be done at the airport *after* you arrive at ATL. If you have checked bags, be sure to head for the service counter after exiting customs (assuming no preclearance at PUJ) before giving up your checked bags. IME the F lounge is more likely to be willing to process a SDC. I tend to get pushback even from supervisors at the post-customs service counter, even from DL redcoats who don't know the rules. Calling the DM line at that point might help.
Mar 1, 2021, 4:59 pm
#4300
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,342
trying to remember, since it has been awhile since I have wanted to do this ....
Can I SDC after a confirmed medallion upgrade (OU) if there is availability in FC?
Can I SDC after a confirmed medallion upgrade (OU) if there is availability in FC?
Mar 1, 2021, 5:28 pm
#4301
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: 18,947
For comp Medallion upgrades you SDC based on your original coach fare class. You'll be confirmed in coach on the new flight and must then clear upgrades again via the usual rules.
Mar 5, 2021, 6:14 am
#4302
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,610
Can a redeye connecting itinerary be same-day-changed to overnight layover?
If I'm currently booked SEA-ATL-XXX, with the first leg a 10:30pm redeye, at the 24 hour mark is it possible for me (a gold member) or my companion spouse (no status) do a free/$$ same day change of just the first leg such that the ticket becomes SEA-ATL day flight, overnight in Atlanta airport hotel, keep original ATL-XXX flight next morning?
The redeye pricing is very attractive, vs cobbling the multicity option with forced overnight, so wondering if same-day change is possible. Main cabin or first class fare.
The redeye pricing is very attractive, vs cobbling the multicity option with forced overnight, so wondering if same-day change is possible. Main cabin or first class fare.
Mar 5, 2021, 8:55 am
#4303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,376
haven't contemplated anything like this in quite a while (was doing SEA-WAS 1-2x/month from mid 2014 to Dec 2019), but I think they would probably let you change to the latest non-redeye departure without issue (esp lacking an onward connection from ATL arrival ~11pm)
Mar 5, 2021, 9:00 am
#4304
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Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
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Posts: 10,361
If I'm currently booked SEA-ATL-XXX, with the first leg a 10:30pm redeye, at the 24 hour mark is it possible for me (a gold member) or my companion spouse (no status) do a free/$$ same day change of just the first leg such that the ticket becomes SEA-ATL day flight, overnight in Atlanta airport hotel, keep original ATL-XXX flight next morning?
The redeye pricing is very attractive, vs cobbling the multicity option with forced overnight, so wondering if same-day change is possible. Main cabin or first class fare.
The redeye pricing is very attractive, vs cobbling the multicity option with forced overnight, so wondering if same-day change is possible. Main cabin or first class fare.
Mar 5, 2021, 9:52 am
#4305
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,885
A few years ago, I don't exactly remember what my situation was, but I distinctly remember being told by an agent that the situation OP desires is the only way that you can SDC a redeye that connects to another flight in the morning. I would not get my hopes up for this scenario working out. Agents make up the rules as they go along for SDC and use of common sense tends to go out the window.