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
Mar 18, 2019, 4:26 pm
#3932
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 355
Will try to keep this short
1. Called delta to move to a earlier flight
2. DD said that the second leg was sold out and SDS was only option
3. Went on SDS. Looked at upgrades and saw two open seats.
4. Called DD back and asked if flight was oversold. Answer was no. Asked why I couldn’t be confirmed when there were two seats showing open available for upgrades and flight wasn’t oversold.
5. Answer was that they would confirm me for a $158 charge otherwise SDS was only option
6. B fare
I was surprised at the charge being the only way into a confirmed seat given the availability of seats and the full coach fare and the lack over the flight being oversold. Delta was willing to unblock a seat for a price on a flight that otherwise was sold out. I’ve been doing this a long time and it was the first time I’ve ever come across this.
1. Called delta to move to a earlier flight
2. DD said that the second leg was sold out and SDS was only option
3. Went on SDS. Looked at upgrades and saw two open seats.
4. Called DD back and asked if flight was oversold. Answer was no. Asked why I couldn’t be confirmed when there were two seats showing open available for upgrades and flight wasn’t oversold.
5. Answer was that they would confirm me for a $158 charge otherwise SDS was only option
6. B fare
I was surprised at the charge being the only way into a confirmed seat given the availability of seats and the full coach fare and the lack over the flight being oversold. Delta was willing to unblock a seat for a price on a flight that otherwise was sold out. I’ve been doing this a long time and it was the first time I’ve ever come across this.
Mar 18, 2019, 4:33 pm
#3933
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 222
Original tix was a Y. Neither Y nor B remained on the flight I wanted on. Charged me the $156 and stated I was buying one of the two DC seats available (even
though flight and all fares showed sold out.
To add insult to the experience, the upgrade was suppose to be to row 1 of the CRJ200 and the GA hands me 2D...
though flight and all fares showed sold out.
To add insult to the experience, the upgrade was suppose to be to row 1 of the CRJ200 and the GA hands me 2D...
Mar 18, 2019, 4:35 pm
#3934
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 102
Original tix was a B. Neither Y nor B remained on the flight I wanted on. Charged me the $156 and stated I was buying one of the two DC seats available (even
though flight and all fares showed sold out.
To add insult to the experience, the upgrade was suppose to be to row 1 of the CRJ200 and the GA hands me 2D...
though flight and all fares showed sold out.
To add insult to the experience, the upgrade was suppose to be to row 1 of the CRJ200 and the GA hands me 2D...
Mar 18, 2019, 4:41 pm
#3936
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Mar 18, 2019, 4:44 pm
#3937
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 222
So when inventory doesn’t exist, DD can create inventory, thus the upcharge? Is this upcharge the same thing the 360 desk does when they squeeze you on a flight minus the charge?
Mar 19, 2019, 1:59 pm
#3938
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta, Hilton, Hertz
Posts: 458
SDC quick question
I know for years and years you would have to call in to any agent to get confirmed for an earlier flight at the 24 hour mark of original departure. Do you still have to call like I've been doing or is it possible to execute this via the app or 2nd best via twitter? thanks guys
Mar 19, 2019, 2:15 pm
#3939
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: 21,371
calling will almost always work (I’m not a twitterer so can’t speak authoritatively about that mechanism but many on here report great success)
the app will generally limit your options to a 24-hour window from the present time, so it won’t offer anything leaving later than your scheduled departure
the app will generally limit your options to a 24-hour window from the present time, so it won’t offer anything leaving later than your scheduled departure
Mar 19, 2019, 2:45 pm
#3942
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Northern Minnesota, US
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG/MR Plat, Kimpton IC, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 659
Mar 19, 2019, 6:43 pm
#3943
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,056
Note that when doing it online, you need to select the "Change" option after going through the Check-in link for your flight. I believe if you try to do it through the app, it just redirects you to the website. If you simply try to use the Change Flights link on your reservation, it won't show SDC/Standby options and will just treat it as a paid change.
Mar 19, 2019, 7:41 pm
#3944
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 262
I purchased AAA-NYC, then found out later I needed to be in CCC so I bought a separate ticket NYC-CCC, departing soon after arrival into NYC. While I am sure the rules as written don’t provide for it, has anyone had luck with an SDC to change routing across separate tickets (to go AAA-ATL-CCC)?
Mar 19, 2019, 7:44 pm
#3945
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
I purchased AAA-NYC, then found out later I needed to be in CCC so I bought a separate ticket NYC-CCC, departing soon after arrival into NYC. While I am sure the rules as written don’t provide for it, has anyone had luck with an SDC to change routing across separate tickets (to go AAA-ATL-CCC)?