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
#3166
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,151
Certainly inventory will have changed by then, so your options may be more limited, but that way you can (hopefully) catch an earlier flight from the gateway.
#3167
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: JFK
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond
Posts: 34
I just had a GA at LAX tell me that I cannot fly standby on an earlier flight without paying a fee. I told the GA I'm Platinum Medallion and she sent me to the Service Desk. I asked to fly standby for an earlier flight and they asked me if I was a Medallion member. As soon as I said yes and they confirmed it they issued the standby ticket.
Last edited by McMichaelNY; Jun 7, 2017 at 6:15 pm Reason: Forgot airport
#3168
#3169
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 179
I have a HND trip in business class coming up with the return itinerary being HND-LAX-SLC-RDU, all on a single ticket. HND-SLC is technically a "direct flight", with a stop in LAX. I will land at LAX at 9:09am. Can I standby or confirm on the 10:35am nonstop LAX-RDU instead of having to go through LAX-SLC-RDU?
Called DM line to inquire and was told that it would not be possible, as the HND-SLC "direct flight" cannot be broken. But I want to hear from the experts on this forum.
Will another DM line agent or the LAX-RDU flight gate agent be able to do it for me? I can give up my first class seat for an economy class seat in order to get on the LAX-RDU nonstop.
I have global entry and no check in luggage, so the layover in LAX should be enough time for me to make the LAX-RDU nonstop.
Called DM line to inquire and was told that it would not be possible, as the HND-SLC "direct flight" cannot be broken. But I want to hear from the experts on this forum.
Will another DM line agent or the LAX-RDU flight gate agent be able to do it for me? I can give up my first class seat for an economy class seat in order to get on the LAX-RDU nonstop.
I have global entry and no check in luggage, so the layover in LAX should be enough time for me to make the LAX-RDU nonstop.
#3170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
This. Fare rules are supposed to apply, but many agents simply ignore them if your ask makes sense and there's space available.
#3171
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
Just got back from the trip. Within 24 hrs of the HND-LAX flight, I called DM line. The agent said it was against the rule, which I disputed (double connection to single connection, so no rule violation), but then he said he would see what he could do. A few minutes later, I was confirmed on the LAX-RDU nonstop, albeit in Comfort+. So it all worked out nicely for me.
I just had a GA at LAX tell me that I cannot fly standby on an earlier flight without paying a fee. I told the GA I'm Platinum Medallion and she sent me to the Service Desk. I asked to fly standby for an earlier flight and they asked me if I was a Medallion member. As soon as I said yes and they confirmed it they issued the standby ticket.
Then I would have gone back to the exact same GA to activate me. I assume this is the gate that you wanted to take the earlier flight from. The GA should have handled your request originally, and if they know that little about their job, I would have asked for a Red Coat.
#3172
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 179
#3173
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and CLD or SAN, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT, DL PM, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,510
Was able to confirm from FLL-CVG-LAX to FLL-JFK-LAX today. First call, easy peasy.
The odd thing was that there were F/J seats on FLL-JFK (x1) and JFK-LAX (x3) flights, but for whatever reason when booked together the FLL-JFK availability vanished when married with my JFK flight. A manual intervention fixed it quickly. Making it more odd, I COULD confirm in the same FLL-JFK when matched with a later JFK-LAX flight. Oh, well... oddity but ultimately worked out.
The odd thing was that there were F/J seats on FLL-JFK (x1) and JFK-LAX (x3) flights, but for whatever reason when booked together the FLL-JFK availability vanished when married with my JFK flight. A manual intervention fixed it quickly. Making it more odd, I COULD confirm in the same FLL-JFK when matched with a later JFK-LAX flight. Oh, well... oddity but ultimately worked out.
#3174
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: 21,368
Was able to confirm from FLL-CVG-LAX to FLL-JFK-LAX today. First call, easy peasy.
The odd thing was that there were F/J seats on FLL-JFK (x1) and JFK-LAX (x3) flights, but for whatever reason when booked together the FLL-JFK availability vanished when married with my JFK flight. A manual intervention fixed it quickly. Making it more odd, I COULD confirm in the same FLL-JFK when matched with a later JFK-LAX flight. Oh, well... oddity but ultimately worked out.
The odd thing was that there were F/J seats on FLL-JFK (x1) and JFK-LAX (x3) flights, but for whatever reason when booked together the FLL-JFK availability vanished when married with my JFK flight. A manual intervention fixed it quickly. Making it more odd, I COULD confirm in the same FLL-JFK when matched with a later JFK-LAX flight. Oh, well... oddity but ultimately worked out.
#3175
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 61
I would like to change a nonstop 9am flight to a nonstop 1pm flight, booked in A (discounted first).
Would I be able to call in at 9am the day prior to the flight and switch to the 1pm flight (assuming there are still seats in first class)? Or do I have to wait until it is 24 hrs before the flight I'd like to switch to (eg 1pm)?
Also, I have a special meal requested for the flight. If I'm only able to switch to the later flight 24 hrs in advance, would I still be able to request a special meal for that flight? If I can change to the later flight >24 hrs in advance, it sounds as though the special meal request will go through okay.
Thanks!
Would I be able to call in at 9am the day prior to the flight and switch to the 1pm flight (assuming there are still seats in first class)? Or do I have to wait until it is 24 hrs before the flight I'd like to switch to (eg 1pm)?
Also, I have a special meal requested for the flight. If I'm only able to switch to the later flight 24 hrs in advance, would I still be able to request a special meal for that flight? If I can change to the later flight >24 hrs in advance, it sounds as though the special meal request will go through okay.
Thanks!
#3176
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BNA/SAN
Programs: DL PM 1.5 MM , Hilton Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 754
It is 24 hours prior to your ticketed flight, not the one you want to switch to. You can do the SDCs via twitter to @Delta or call in, whichever is easier for you. I normally send a twitter to Delta.
Don't know about the special meals, sorry.
Don't know about the special meals, sorry.
#3178
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and CLD or SAN, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT, DL PM, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,510
Whatever they did, it wound up resulting in 100% MQM bonus vs. 50%. That'll put me over DM a good bit before I'd planned so can't complain.
#3179
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 599
I haven't done same-day changes before so asking:
I am Delta Gold, my SO is Delta no-status.
We are both on the same reservation 5pm Seattle-SFO direct on delta metal delta award ticket (bought using my miles).
Is it possible to same-day-change to the immediately earlier Seattle-SFO 3pm delta metal flight for free? Would the fee be waived for both of us since I am gold and I made the reservation under same record locator?
I think officially it might not be allowed to get my partner for free change also, but given a short Seattle to SFO flight with a very simple change to immidiately preceding flight, using the gold delta line would I have success in practice?
I am Delta Gold, my SO is Delta no-status.
We are both on the same reservation 5pm Seattle-SFO direct on delta metal delta award ticket (bought using my miles).
Is it possible to same-day-change to the immediately earlier Seattle-SFO 3pm delta metal flight for free? Would the fee be waived for both of us since I am gold and I made the reservation under same record locator?
I think officially it might not be allowed to get my partner for free change also, but given a short Seattle to SFO flight with a very simple change to immidiately preceding flight, using the gold delta line would I have success in practice?
#3180
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: 18,916
I don't have direct experience with companion SDCs myself, but IIRC there have been a number of reports of waivers and maybe "sometimes" should be upgraded to "frequently".