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
#1636
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: ATL/PDK
Programs: DL, SPG
Posts: 202
We booked ATL-SEA-HNL and used my wife's RUC at time of booking to confirm in first for both legs. We'd obviously prefer to be in Biz on the ATLHNL non-stop, but figured this would be a good opportunity to use her RUCs.
Two Questions:
1. Are we eligible to SDC to the front cabin on another flight, given we purchased U, but are flying RP?
2. While it is highly unlikely that there will be any biz seats left 24 hours from the flight, has anyone had success using SDC to go from a connection to HNL, to the nonstop? Would this work for business class?
Wife is PM and we are on the same PNR.
Two Questions:
1. Are we eligible to SDC to the front cabin on another flight, given we purchased U, but are flying RP?
2. While it is highly unlikely that there will be any biz seats left 24 hours from the flight, has anyone had success using SDC to go from a connection to HNL, to the nonstop? Would this work for business class?
Wife is PM and we are on the same PNR.
#1637
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,396
We booked ATL-SEA-HNL and used my wife's RUC at time of booking to confirm in first for both legs. We'd obviously prefer to be in Biz on the ATLHNL non-stop, but figured this would be a good opportunity to use her RUCs.
Two Questions:
1. Are we eligible to SDC to the front cabin on another flight, given we purchased U, but are flying RP?
2. While it is highly unlikely that there will be any biz seats left 24 hours from the flight, has anyone had success using SDC to go from a connection to HNL, to the nonstop? Would this work for business class?
Wife is PM and we are on the same PNR.
Two Questions:
1. Are we eligible to SDC to the front cabin on another flight, given we purchased U, but are flying RP?
2. While it is highly unlikely that there will be any biz seats left 24 hours from the flight, has anyone had success using SDC to go from a connection to HNL, to the nonstop? Would this work for business class?
Wife is PM and we are on the same PNR.
#1638
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
I will not be so easily dismissed again.
#1639
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Platinum 100, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,687
Just keep in mind, the computer should let the agent do a SDC from a RUC route to another RUC route, but does throw issues when trying to go from RUC to a GUC route. Usually it needs to be reissued by a supervisor, so YMMV if they break the rules for you. Makes sense, otherwise it would devalue GUC on the transcons and ATL-HNL.
#1640
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: ATL/PDK
Programs: DL, SPG
Posts: 202
Thanks! And going from connecting to non-stop is allowed? Or will this be hit or miss with each agent?
#1641
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,396
Good point. I had forgotten that for some city pairs, the required upgrade instruments can depend on the routing. The same issue could arise if changing the routing changes the number of miles that are required for the upgrade. (AFAIK there isn't a case where the required fare class also depends on the specific routing, but I haven't looked at those rules recently. maybe the JFK transcons versus connections to/from NYC and the ATL-HNL route also raise these potential problems for SDC directly into FC.)
#1643
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 45
I apologize if I missed this, but I couldn't seem to find the latest rules on red-eyes (I swear the Delta website used to specifically mention it, but I can't find it now).
Do the same day rules mean 12 to 12, or are there exceptions for red-eyes? Specifically, if I am on the first flight out in the morning, can I change to a red-eye the night before at 11:30 pm? I'm guessing not...
Do the same day rules mean 12 to 12, or are there exceptions for red-eyes? Specifically, if I am on the first flight out in the morning, can I change to a red-eye the night before at 11:30 pm? I'm guessing not...
#1644
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
I apologize if I missed this, but I couldn't seem to find the latest rules on red-eyes (I swear the Delta website used to specifically mention it, but I can't find it now).
Do the same day rules mean 12 to 12, or are there exceptions for red-eyes? Specifically, if I am on the first flight out in the morning, can I change to a red-eye the night before at 11:30 pm? I'm guessing not...
Do the same day rules mean 12 to 12, or are there exceptions for red-eyes? Specifically, if I am on the first flight out in the morning, can I change to a red-eye the night before at 11:30 pm? I'm guessing not...
You're absolutely right, and very weird, that the rules are missing from here :
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-changes.html#
That said, it kinda makes ya' wonder what "enhancement" might be brewing up their sleeve (or many sleeves!).
I believe the rules are/were:
The new flight has to be anytime the same calendar day as your original flight, and/or up til 2AM departure the next morning.
So, in theory, if you're on an 11:30 PM redeye, you really can only do a SDC to something from midnight the night before up til your original flight, or til 2AM after your flight.
I believe MSP has some west coast redeyes that leave just after midnight - like 12:50 AM, so, if you're on the first flight on the morning, you could SDC to that, but not 11:30 PM, and hour or so earlier.
#1645
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHI
Posts: 501
I apologize if I missed this, but I couldn't seem to find the latest rules on red-eyes (I swear the Delta website used to specifically mention it, but I can't find it now).
Do the same day rules mean 12 to 12, or are there exceptions for red-eyes? Specifically, if I am on the first flight out in the morning, can I change to a red-eye the night before at 11:30 pm? I'm guessing not...
Do the same day rules mean 12 to 12, or are there exceptions for red-eyes? Specifically, if I am on the first flight out in the morning, can I change to a red-eye the night before at 11:30 pm? I'm guessing not...
According to the currently published rules, it's same day to same day. Therefore 12:01 am departures are valid for departures anytime that day, up to 11:59 pm. Doesn't help if you want to go to the previous day (2 minutes earlier). A rep might book you otherwise, but don't expect it. Good luck.
#1647
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Platinum 100, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,687
#1649
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Canada
Programs: AS, DL, UA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 2,574
The fare rules in the "detailed fare rules" buried in the mass of text note that these are Economy Fares with instant upgrade to F. The pricing is of course significantly higher than the Economy fares for these fare buckets so you are in effect paying for the upgrade.
For purposes of SDC, any issues with this with DL requiring the "original" (buried in the fare basis code) fare buckets.
Or are these treated as true F tickets for purposes of SDC?
EDIT - I think Rylan already answered this a few pages back on further skimming. Seems like YMMV with the agents but the general consensus is that these are to be treated as F fares for purpose of SCd.
#1650
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
A significant amount of F fares these days are XWNUP / QWNUP / VWNUP etc.
The fare rules in the "detailed fare rules" buried in the mass of text note that these are Economy Fares with instant upgrade to F. The pricing is of course significantly higher than the Economy fares for these fare buckets so you are in effect paying for the upgrade.
For purposes of SDC, any issues with this with DL requiring the "original" (buried in the fare basis code) fare buckets.
Or are these treated as true F tickets for purposes of SDC?
EDIT - I think Rylan already answered this a few pages back on further skimming. Seems like YMMV with the agents but the general consensus is that these are to be treated as F fares for purpose of SCd.
The fare rules in the "detailed fare rules" buried in the mass of text note that these are Economy Fares with instant upgrade to F. The pricing is of course significantly higher than the Economy fares for these fare buckets so you are in effect paying for the upgrade.
For purposes of SDC, any issues with this with DL requiring the "original" (buried in the fare basis code) fare buckets.
Or are these treated as true F tickets for purposes of SDC?
EDIT - I think Rylan already answered this a few pages back on further skimming. Seems like YMMV with the agents but the general consensus is that these are to be treated as F fares for purpose of SCd.
I have SDCd from the likes of QUP fares many times and consider it a perk that is so important to my business travel that it adds enormous value. So I am almost always looking for a GAP fare and usually can find one that works for me.