Buying FC and immediately SDC to cheaper...
Jun 16, 2019, 7:52 am
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,116
Buying FC and immediately SDC to cheaper...
I want to fly on flight A, but it costs $1700 in FC
I see flight B only costs $700 in FC.
Since it’s within 24 hours of departure, can I buy flight B and then immediately SDC to flight A? Both have seats in FC that are available.
I see flight B only costs $700 in FC.
Since it’s within 24 hours of departure, can I buy flight B and then immediately SDC to flight A? Both have seats in FC that are available.
Jun 16, 2019, 7:58 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: SQ Gold, UA Silver, DL Plat, AS MVP, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 76
That should work. Some agents say fare class in F matters but it does not. First is first and they should process the SDC without issues or you may even be able to do it during check-in. The only caveat would be that you can't swap from a connection to a non-stop and usually can't swap from a first class flight to a Delta One flight.
Here is the relevant text form the Delta site:
Here is the relevant text form the Delta site:
- If you have a premium cabin fare like Delta One®, Delta Premium Select or First Class you may make a Same-Day Confirmed change as long as a seat is available in the cabin purchased or a lower cabin
Jun 16, 2019, 9:09 am
#5
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crjtraveler gave a pretty succinct summary
my only caveats, which are mentioned in the main SDC thread, are:
1- if you’re trying to process the SDC on line, you won’t actually be able to SDC to a later flight, since the “Change Flights” option will only bring up flights within 24 hours from NOW
2- if you sit in the back on one segment (e.g., it’s a single-cabin jet, or F is full), be prepared to engage with a SkyMiles agent (phone or email) for the 50% Class-of-Service bonus for that segment
3- if a phone agent gives you any pushback, ask to speak with a supervisor; HUCA is also your friend
my only caveats, which are mentioned in the main SDC thread, are:
1- if you’re trying to process the SDC on line, you won’t actually be able to SDC to a later flight, since the “Change Flights” option will only bring up flights within 24 hours from NOW
2- if you sit in the back on one segment (e.g., it’s a single-cabin jet, or F is full), be prepared to engage with a SkyMiles agent (phone or email) for the 50% Class-of-Service bonus for that segment
3- if a phone agent gives you any pushback, ask to speak with a supervisor; HUCA is also your friend
Jun 16, 2019, 1:03 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,421
Check with Expertflyer to ensure there is a seat on the $1700 ticket and Delta isn't overselling. And if an elite gets the FC upgrade between now and when you complete the purchase you might get stuck?
Jun 16, 2019, 7:00 pm
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,116
Update - when I purchased the ticket and called in, the agent was insistent that what I was "REALLY" doing was trying to switch to a different itinerary requiring her to reprice the ticket. It went like this...
Pianoman: "Hi, I'm currently booked on DL XXXX and would like to switch to DL YYYY. I'm seeing open seats in FC on DL YYYY so I'd like to SDC."
Agent: "I see you are within the 24-hour cancelation window, I can cancel the ticket and I can price out DL YYYY for you."
Pianoman: "No ma'am, I'd like to SDC on the flight."
Agent: "Well, you're within the 24-hour cancelation window, so this way you wouldn't have to pay the $75 change fee (she also missed that I'm a Platinum apparently)"
Pianoman: "Ma'am, I wouldn't have to pay the change fee, because I am a Platinum. Also, if I purchased that flight, it would be $1000 more."
Agent: "Well, I can't let you SDC to it because it's in a different fare class."
Pianoman (becoming angry): "Ma'am, I KNOW it is in a different fare class. But since it is a SDC into FC, there only needs to be seats available. A FC SDC doesn't require same fare class."
Agent: "I am unable to help you."
Pianoman: "Let me speak to a supervisor."
Agent: "We are experiencing higher than normal call volume - it will be a while and they will just tell you what I told you."
Pianoman: *HUCA*, immediately gets through and finds another agent to do it.
*SIGH*
Pianoman: "Hi, I'm currently booked on DL XXXX and would like to switch to DL YYYY. I'm seeing open seats in FC on DL YYYY so I'd like to SDC."
Agent: "I see you are within the 24-hour cancelation window, I can cancel the ticket and I can price out DL YYYY for you."
Pianoman: "No ma'am, I'd like to SDC on the flight."
Agent: "Well, you're within the 24-hour cancelation window, so this way you wouldn't have to pay the $75 change fee (she also missed that I'm a Platinum apparently)"
Pianoman: "Ma'am, I wouldn't have to pay the change fee, because I am a Platinum. Also, if I purchased that flight, it would be $1000 more."
Agent: "Well, I can't let you SDC to it because it's in a different fare class."
Pianoman (becoming angry): "Ma'am, I KNOW it is in a different fare class. But since it is a SDC into FC, there only needs to be seats available. A FC SDC doesn't require same fare class."
Agent: "I am unable to help you."
Pianoman: "Let me speak to a supervisor."
Agent: "We are experiencing higher than normal call volume - it will be a while and they will just tell you what I told you."
Pianoman: *HUCA*, immediately gets through and finds another agent to do it.
*SIGH*
Jun 16, 2019, 7:11 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,879
Update - when I purchased the ticket and called in, the agent was insistent that what I was "REALLY" doing was trying to switch to a different itinerary requiring her to reprice the ticket. It went like this...
Pianoman: "Hi, I'm currently booked on DL XXXX and would like to switch to DL YYYY. I'm seeing open seats in FC on DL YYYY so I'd like to SDC."
Agent: "I see you are within the 24-hour cancelation window, I can cancel the ticket and I can price out DL YYYY for you."
Pianoman: "No ma'am, I'd like to SDC on the flight."
Agent: "Well, you're within the 24-hour cancelation window, so this way you wouldn't have to pay the $75 change fee (she also missed that I'm a Platinum apparently)"
Pianoman: "Ma'am, I wouldn't have to pay the change fee, because I am a Platinum. Also, if I purchased that flight, it would be $1000 more."
Agent: "Well, I can't let you SDC to it because it's in a different fare class."
Pianoman (becoming angry): "Ma'am, I KNOW it is in a different fare class. But since it is a SDC into FC, there only needs to be seats available. A FC SDC doesn't require same fare class."
Agent: "I am unable to help you."
Pianoman: "Let me speak to a supervisor."
Agent: "We are experiencing higher than normal call volume - it will be a while and they will just tell you what I told you."
Pianoman: *HUCA*, immediately gets through and finds another agent to do it.
*SIGH*
Pianoman: "Hi, I'm currently booked on DL XXXX and would like to switch to DL YYYY. I'm seeing open seats in FC on DL YYYY so I'd like to SDC."
Agent: "I see you are within the 24-hour cancelation window, I can cancel the ticket and I can price out DL YYYY for you."
Pianoman: "No ma'am, I'd like to SDC on the flight."
Agent: "Well, you're within the 24-hour cancelation window, so this way you wouldn't have to pay the $75 change fee (she also missed that I'm a Platinum apparently)"
Pianoman: "Ma'am, I wouldn't have to pay the change fee, because I am a Platinum. Also, if I purchased that flight, it would be $1000 more."
Agent: "Well, I can't let you SDC to it because it's in a different fare class."
Pianoman (becoming angry): "Ma'am, I KNOW it is in a different fare class. But since it is a SDC into FC, there only needs to be seats available. A FC SDC doesn't require same fare class."
Agent: "I am unable to help you."
Pianoman: "Let me speak to a supervisor."
Agent: "We are experiencing higher than normal call volume - it will be a while and they will just tell you what I told you."
Pianoman: *HUCA*, immediately gets through and finds another agent to do it.
*SIGH*
Jun 16, 2019, 8:08 pm
#11
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Join Date: Jul 2017
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Posts: 1,116
I didn't, because when it transferred to the supervisor, I didn't want to downvote her - the supervisor was AWESOME. Apologized profusely and made sure it was taken care of. Said she would've given me miles if she could and that she would definitely speak to the agent who was so grossly misinformed.
Jun 17, 2019, 12:32 am
#12
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Location: San Antonio
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I've had agents insist that you cant SDC when you purchase ticket same day. When pushed they never can find the section in policy that says that.
Jun 17, 2019, 5:07 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
They have to manually override it, but some are unwilling to do so, thinking they can get in trouble or whatever other reason. Usually, once they consult with a Supe and are told to override it, the Supe documents the record and they're then miraculously fine with it.
He got it done, but what a joke. (because the only other itinerary they could get me on was pricing at 3x the miles, but that's not my problem)
Jun 17, 2019, 5:54 am
#15
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I think this is an edge case ... we FTers aren’t representative of most of the traveling population