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
#4366
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Your ticket isn't reissued if you do a single segment upgrade. The fee doesn't technically transfer to new flight either, by rules you lose it.
You have to upgrade the whole direction of travel (the price that shows for "all segments ") to get SDC benefits.
Agents can of course offer things not by the book.
You have to upgrade the whole direction of travel (the price that shows for "all segments ") to get SDC benefits.
Agents can of course offer things not by the book.
#4367
Join Date: Dec 2010
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Your ticket isn't reissued if you do a single segment upgrade. The fee doesn't technically transfer to new flight either, by rules you lose it.
You have to upgrade the whole direction of travel (the price that shows for "all segments ") to get SDC benefits.
Agents can of course offer things not by the book.
You have to upgrade the whole direction of travel (the price that shows for "all segments ") to get SDC benefits.
Agents can of course offer things not by the book.
#4368
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,774
Delta same day change confirmed.
I believe you can call delta to check same-day change. But can i call 24 hr before new changed flight instead of 24 hr before original flight?
I believe AA rule is 24 hr before new changed flight.
Wouldn't it unfair if u book a 8pm flight, but want to change to 6pm flight? First class seat in that 6pm flight could be gone within that golden 2 hour.
I believe AA rule is 24 hr before new changed flight.
Wouldn't it unfair if u book a 8pm flight, but want to change to 6pm flight? First class seat in that 6pm flight could be gone within that golden 2 hour.
#4369
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I believe you can call delta to check same-day change. But can i call 24 hr before new changed flight instead of 24 hr before original flight?
I believe AA rule is 24 hr before new changed flight.
Wouldn't it unfair if u book a 8pm flight, but want to change to 6pm flight? First class seat in that 6pm flight could be gone within that golden 2 hour.
I believe AA rule is 24 hr before new changed flight.
Wouldn't it unfair if u book a 8pm flight, but want to change to 6pm flight? First class seat in that 6pm flight could be gone within that golden 2 hour.
Some people here have reported flexibility for flights that are scheduled to leave shortly before or shortly after midnight, but I don't know what the rules on this are supposed to be.
#4370
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
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Posts: 5,050
I have had agents waive the rule for me before and do the change within 24 hours of the flight I was changing to, but they did note it was a special favor so I wouldn't count on it.
And as for it being unfair, I mean, in the example given, someone could also book the last first class seat at 5pm. Delta gets to set the rules of the game so what's fair is what they say is fair.
And as for it being unfair, I mean, in the example given, someone could also book the last first class seat at 5pm. Delta gets to set the rules of the game so what's fair is what they say is fair.
#4371
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
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Posts: 6,447
Change can't be made until 24 hour from your original flight. It's very clearly stated on the web site https://www.delta.com/us/en/change-c...-flight-change
Why would it be unfair? If you booked the original flight at a cheaper fare intending to change to an earlier flight, you rolled the dice. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. It's like an FO booking coach and hoping for an upgrade - WFBF
If you really want or need the earlier flight you can downgrade to Y and hope for C+ if F isn't available.
Why would it be unfair? If you booked the original flight at a cheaper fare intending to change to an earlier flight, you rolled the dice. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. It's like an FO booking coach and hoping for an upgrade - WFBF
If you really want or need the earlier flight you can downgrade to Y and hope for C+ if F isn't available.
#4372
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,050
You can also attempt to SDC online by first starting online check-in, and then selecting the "Change Flight" option. If you have already checked-in, you can repeat the process to get to the Change Flight option (don't use the Modify Flight option under your My Trips listing as that won't work and will try to charge the fare difference). Given the DL call wait times, this will likely be the quickest option.
#4373
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#4374
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One rule to be aware of that is not explicitly listed on the website: the new routing has to be legal for the city pair. E.g you can't SDC from ATL-JFK to ATL-LAX-JFK because LAX isn't a valid connection point for ATL-NYC. There are some agents who will overlook this rule if you specifically ask them to, though.
#4375
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Posts: 23,050
It's not altogether clear whether this is an official benefit of SDC (ignoring fare routing rules), or agents simply overriding the rules. Clearly they have a fair amount of flexibility. The rules only explicitly say you cannot SDC from a connection to a non-stop. I've been denied SDC by an agent before because routing was not allowed by the fare I purchased (on a DTW-LAX fare which required non-stop routing -- the agent would not re-route through SLC). Online SDC appears to enforce fare routing rules whenever I've used it in the past.
Last edited by xliioper; May 29, 2021 at 4:13 am
#4376
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It's not altogether clear whether this is an official benefit of SDC (ignoring fare routing rules), or agents simply overriding the rules. Clearly they have a fair amount of flexibility. The rules only explicitly say you cannot SDC from a connection to a non-stop. I've been denied SDC by an agent before because routing was not allowed by the fare I purchased (on a DTW-LAX fare which required non-stop routing -- the agent would not re-route through SLC). Online SDC appears to enforce fare routing rules whenever I've used it in the past.
#4377
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Posts: 23,050
Well, there is something called "Circuitous Route Check" for displaying/booking end-on-end fare combinations (in addition to itins involving single fare components). Perhaps they have something similar for SDC routing options behind the scenes. It'd be nice to have some input from an actual agent. It's hard to imagine someone getting away with illogical/absurd SDC routings routinely. A classic example (which is has been discussed here before) is booking a $144 LAX-SFO FC fare (current cheapest) and then using SDC to bounce to the east coast and back to goose your MQM earn.
https://pro.delta.com/content/agency...tructions.html
https://pro.delta.com/content/agency...tructions.html
Last edited by xliioper; May 29, 2021 at 7:55 am
#4378
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IME DM phone agents will allow SDCs to any route that looks like it should be legal without checking the actual fare rules. Routing through any hub that's vaguely along the way seems to be OK, but going outrageously far out of the way shouldn't and usually isn't permitted.
BTW, if you have a connection and want to SDC just the second flight, T-24 seems to count from the scheduled departure time of the second flight.
BTW, if you have a connection and want to SDC just the second flight, T-24 seems to count from the scheduled departure time of the second flight.
#4379
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
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IME DM phone agents will allow SDCs to any route that looks like it should be legal without checking the actual fare rules. Routing through any hub that's vaguely along the way seems to be OK, but going outrageously far out of the way shouldn't and usually isn't permitted.
BTW, if you have a connection and want to SDC just the second flight, T-24 seems to count from the scheduled departure time of the second flight.
BTW, if you have a connection and want to SDC just the second flight, T-24 seems to count from the scheduled departure time of the second flight.
#4380
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That's not what I was told earlier this week. The agent refused to make the change for me at T-24 (plus a small epsilon) before the first flight and made me wait to call back. Fortunately space was still available when I tried again at T-24 (plus a big epsilon) before the second flight.