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 25, 2013, 11:36 am
#1381
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: ATL/PDK
Programs: DL, SPG
Posts: 202
F/J
P/D (sometimes C)
A/I
G/Z
All of the UP fares have coded in the coach class of service, Domestic First, and International BE. For example a S Up Fare would typically have S,D,P coded with the fare, which acknowledges the eligible classes of service.
P/D (sometimes C)
A/I
G/Z
All of the UP fares have coded in the coach class of service, Domestic First, and International BE. For example a S Up Fare would typically have S,D,P coded with the fare, which acknowledges the eligible classes of service.
Nov 25, 2013, 11:40 am
#1382
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: ATL/PDK
Programs: DL, SPG
Posts: 202
All but P -->C/D are fixed. P will point to C for YUP fares but D for everything else.
Nov 25, 2013, 1:02 pm
#1383
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
It's done per fare. Example:
[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.2 - Routing Rules: CHI-PHL/DL/YUP/1967 USD]
You'll see some consistency - the higher First Class codes are likely to map to the higher Business Class codes - but I don't believe it's universally fixed that P --> C, A --> D, etc.
[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.2 - Routing Rules: CHI-PHL/DL/YUP/1967 USD]
Code:
CHIPHL-DL 25NOV13 *RULE DISPLAY* TARIFF 0011 RULE 9000 -FARE BASIS USD TAX TOTAL PTC FT YUP 980.46 73.54 1054.00 ADT NL YUP/IN00 0.00 0.00 0.00 INF NL YUP 980.46 73.54 1054.00 INS NL BOOKING CODES Y, P, C
I'll be better prepared next time.
Thanks again,
David
Nov 27, 2013, 10:48 am
#1384
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Platinum 100, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,687
New same-day confirmed and same-day standby options
I'm on an M fare in a few days on the last flight out to RDU from LGA. any chance I can SDC to the flight out to ATL instead and spend the night there and then take the first flight out to RDU the next morning?
Nov 27, 2013, 11:30 am
#1385
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,206
Nov 27, 2013, 12:38 pm
#1386
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Platinum 100, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,687
Nov 27, 2013, 12:46 pm
#1387
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wherever I happen to be....
Programs: DL EOS...
Posts: 1,111
Nov 27, 2013, 3:48 pm
#1388
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL FO, KM, & 1.7MM; UA nothing; HH♦; National EE
Posts: 6,344
On Monday I managed to get an SDC for my Tuesday flight. I found out I could leave a lot earlier than I had originally planned, and I didn't want to wait in an airport with no Sky Club.
I could see on FlightStats that there was a flight that had availability in my fare class going to ATL earlier for the first leg, but there was no availability for an earlier flight for my second leg. I called within 24 hours of the flight, and asked if I could change just the first leg of my trip, which had availability in the fare class I was booked in. I was told no, that they had to reticket the whole trip and my second flight didn't have availability (even though I was already on it
). About 10 minutes later I decided to try again (phone roulette), and the agent said sure! He had to split the trip into two segments and changed the first flight for me.
When I boarded my flight to ATL, we were slightly delayed leaving, so IROPs kicked in on the DL website. I looked at the flight options, and there was a direct flight that would get me home almost three hours early. I had already been upgraded on the later flight, so I didn't change then. When I got to ATL I asked an agent in the Sky Club where I would be on the upgrade list if I switched, and she said #1, so I had her change it.
It all worked out for me in the end, but it was so much easier in the past to change to any flight regardless of fare class. My SDCs since the change have been almost zero.
I could see on FlightStats that there was a flight that had availability in my fare class going to ATL earlier for the first leg, but there was no availability for an earlier flight for my second leg. I called within 24 hours of the flight, and asked if I could change just the first leg of my trip, which had availability in the fare class I was booked in. I was told no, that they had to reticket the whole trip and my second flight didn't have availability (even though I was already on it
). About 10 minutes later I decided to try again (phone roulette), and the agent said sure! He had to split the trip into two segments and changed the first flight for me.When I boarded my flight to ATL, we were slightly delayed leaving, so IROPs kicked in on the DL website. I looked at the flight options, and there was a direct flight that would get me home almost three hours early. I had already been upgraded on the later flight, so I didn't change then. When I got to ATL I asked an agent in the Sky Club where I would be on the upgrade list if I switched, and she said #1, so I had her change it.
It all worked out for me in the end, but it was so much easier in the past to change to any flight regardless of fare class. My SDCs since the change have been almost zero.
Dec 2, 2013, 10:24 am
#1389
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,513
Does same-day-confirmed require an available seat on a later flight?
I need to take a later flight this week. The one remaining outbound has 8 seats left and I'm trying to save the $1150 fare differential showing up as standby un-confirmed.
I understand I need to request "same-day confirmed" T-24 to avoid the PNR being canceled.
But is this possible if the only remaining flight sells out completely?
I need to take a later flight this week. The one remaining outbound has 8 seats left and I'm trying to save the $1150 fare differential showing up as standby un-confirmed.
I understand I need to request "same-day confirmed" T-24 to avoid the PNR being canceled.
But is this possible if the only remaining flight sells out completely?
Dec 2, 2013, 10:36 am
#1390
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Not really. You can request SDC as early as 24 hours before your currently booked flight, but not earlier, and I believe you can request it all the way up til you arrive at the airport, but in theory, the longer you wait, the less chance that a seat will be available in your fare class/bucket, as seats are continuously selling. I'm not really sure what you mean by - the PNR being canceled - as it will only cancel if you don't show up for the flight you're booked on.
Dec 2, 2013, 10:47 am
#1391
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,070
Does same-day-confirmed require an available seat on a later flight?
I need to take a later flight this week. The one remaining outbound has 8 seats left and I'm trying to save the $1150 fare differential showing up as standby un-confirmed.
I understand I need to request "same-day confirmed" T-24 to avoid the PNR being canceled.
But is this possible if the only remaining flight sells out completely?
I need to take a later flight this week. The one remaining outbound has 8 seats left and I'm trying to save the $1150 fare differential showing up as standby un-confirmed.
I understand I need to request "same-day confirmed" T-24 to avoid the PNR being canceled.
But is this possible if the only remaining flight sells out completely?
Dec 2, 2013, 11:05 am
#1392
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,513
Two questions:
Dec 2, 2013, 11:09 am
#1393
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,070
same-day confirm and same-day standby are two different things. As mentioned above, if same-day confirmed is not available, you may still same-day standby for the later flight if you are a Gold or higher. You may request same-day standby up to 24 hours before your original flight. If you are a Silver or General Member, same-day standby for a later flight is not available and they will likely cancel your ticket if you no-show for the earlier flight.
Dec 2, 2013, 11:16 am
#1394
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,513
same-day confirm and same-day standby are two different things. As mentioned above, if same-day confirmed is not available, you may still same-day standby for the later flight if you are a Gold or higher. You may request same-day standby up to 24 hours before your original flight. If you are a Silver or General Member, same-day standby for a later flight is not available and they will likely cancel your ticket if you no-show for the earlier flight.
Cheers.
Dec 2, 2013, 11:36 am
#1395
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: UA Gold | Former: DL Diamond, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 380
What happens if you same-day-standby for a later flight and don't make it on, because it's oversold, or because other standby passengers are ahead of you?
What's the actual policy on this situation? And how does it actually work in practice?
What's the actual policy on this situation? And how does it actually work in practice?