Feb 27, 2013, 5:45 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This wiki was created to distill SDC (specifically not standby) down to a set of rules in the hopes of benefiting others.
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply almost, and some are more flexible.
Note there have been reports of SDC to one segment removing confirmed CPU upgrades on downline segments. If maintaining the confirmed upgrade is important then these changes should be handled with care.
Most Frequently Asked Question: When do I call/go online to make the change?
Follow this flowchart:
Question 1: Are you within 24 hours of your first originally scheduled UA(*) operated flight that you're trying to change off of? If yes, continue to question 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Question 2: Are you within 24 hours of the first UA operated flight you're trying to change on to? If yes, continue to to answer 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Answer 1: No, you cannot call/go online yet to make an SDC.
Answer 2: If the answer to both questions is yes, then you can call/go online to make an SDC.
General Baseline Rules
These are the general rules that usually apply to SDC's; falling outside these rules usually requires payment of a full change fee and the fare difference:
How to SDC
SDC can be accomplished in a few different places (in rough order of likelihood of being able to get the rules bent):
NB: An SDC where the original itinerary (in one direction) has three or more segments cannot be done online.
Nuances and Loose Rules
Now for the hard part: figuring out where the flexibility is in the rules. This list is compiled from the responses to people saying "Can I do X?" where X is something that is not clearly permitted by the rules. One's likelihood of success here depends a bit on the method used for the SDC.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = possible using any method
A = possible using an agent (phone/counter), perhaps having to HUACA
A* = mixed reports of success with an agent (phone/counter),
N* = possible only if you find a very accommodating agent
N = little or no reported success.
If you encounter issues with an agent (phone or counter/gate), you can ask the agent to reference GG SDC. Additionally, GG SDC line 61 specifically references that fare classes are supposed to level out 3.5 hours before departure, so you might be able to use that to your advantage if fare classes have not leveled out and you're trying to ask an agent to open up the correct inventory or force you onto the flight.
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply almost, and some are more flexible.
Note there have been reports of SDC to one segment removing confirmed CPU upgrades on downline segments. If maintaining the confirmed upgrade is important then these changes should be handled with care.
Most Frequently Asked Question: When do I call/go online to make the change?
Follow this flowchart:
Question 1: Are you within 24 hours of your first originally scheduled UA(*) operated flight that you're trying to change off of? If yes, continue to question 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Question 2: Are you within 24 hours of the first UA operated flight you're trying to change on to? If yes, continue to to answer 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Answer 1: No, you cannot call/go online yet to make an SDC.
Answer 2: If the answer to both questions is yes, then you can call/go online to make an SDC.
General Baseline Rules
These are the general rules that usually apply to SDC's; falling outside these rules usually requires payment of a full change fee and the fare difference:
- The departure time of the first segment of the old itinerary and the departure time of the first segment of the new itinerary must both be within 24 hours of the moment that the change is made.
- The ultimate origin and destination airports must remain the same.
- Routing can be changed (addition, deletion, or change of connection points) but the routing rules of the original fare usually apply.
- All remaining unflown segments in single fared itinerary are considered together (i.e., if you're flying WWW-XXX-YYY-ZZZ, you can go to a kiosk at XXX and potentially fly XXX-AAA-ZZZ or XXX-ZZZ direct).
- SDC can be done an unlimited number of times, and can therefore be used to extend a trip indefinitely (pending availability).
- SDC costs $75 for GM's and Silvers - the fees is waived for Golds and up (plus any applicable fare difference, see below). *G's may also get free SDC, although there is no mention of this in the official rules.
- Non-elites on the same PNR benefit from any waived fees for SDC.
- No fare difference is charged so long as there is availability on all of the new segments in the originally ticketed fare class. Fare class availability in all classes often opens up after T-24 and almost always opens up at T-3 unless the plane is very full.
- SDC on bulk tickets, including United Specials, is not permitted.
- SDC is permitted on both domestic and international itineraries.
- The proposed remaining itinerary must be operated by United or United Express®, and the ticket number must begin with 016. (see nuances below)
How to SDC
SDC can be accomplished in a few different places (in rough order of likelihood of being able to get the rules bent):
- United.com “change flight” link before checking in, within T-24. (Many have reported recently that this has problems and attempts to collect the full fare difference and $200 change fee.)
- "Search Other Flight Options" button during OLCI. (This has spotty availability, particularly if the change would involve paying an additional fare due to fare bucket non-availability.)
- United mobile app
- Kiosk
- Phone
- Counter/Gate (although reports are that most airport agents are not familiar with the SDC policy and may not allow you to SDC to a valid itinerary--you can try to direct them to look up GG SDC, but they often won't understand that what you're trying to do is permitted by those rules)
Nuances and Loose Rules
Now for the hard part: figuring out where the flexibility is in the rules. This list is compiled from the responses to people saying "Can I do X?" where X is something that is not clearly permitted by the rules. One's likelihood of success here depends a bit on the method used for the SDC.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = possible using any method
A = possible using an agent (phone/counter), perhaps having to HUACA
A* = mixed reports of success with an agent (phone/counter),
N* = possible only if you find a very accommodating agent
N = little or no reported success.
- Violating various non-routing fare rules (day/time, minimum stay, etc.): Y
- Change destination to ultra-close airport (e.g. JFK-> LGA; see the old S*FAR/STANDBY): A
- Change destination to a co-terminal (e.g. JFK -> EWR): N*
- Change destination to an entirely different place: N
- Change itinerary at the beginning to include illegal layovers (> 4 hours): N*
- Change itinerary at the layover point (using kiosk, app, or agent) to create an otherwise illegal layover: Y
- Change itinerary at the beginning to add a layover point not permitted by the routing rules: N*
- Change itinerary at a layover point to add another layover not permitted (either in terms of number of segments or routing rules) by the routing rules: Y
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours before or after the original flight: N*
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours before the original flight, if the previous day's flight has been delayed: Y (based on one report)
- Combining separately-fared segments to do SDC (e.g. XXX-YYY+YYY-ZZZ -> XXX-ZZZ): A
- Change UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment to UA metal: A
- Change from UA metal to UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: N (see post 1813 for one exception)
- Change from UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment to a different UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: ??
- Change on a non-UA ticketed segment: N* (with potential dire consequences)
- Change from an upgraded flight into Y on the new flight: A
- Change from a CPU-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available R space on the new flight: N*
- Change from an instrument-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available R space on the new flight: A*
- Non-elite on different PNR benefiting from Elite's waived-fee SDC: A
If you encounter issues with an agent (phone or counter/gate), you can ask the agent to reference GG SDC. Additionally, GG SDC line 61 specifically references that fare classes are supposed to level out 3.5 hours before departure, so you might be able to use that to your advantage if fare classes have not leveled out and you're trying to ask an agent to open up the correct inventory or force you onto the flight.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
Aug 15, 2011, 5:10 pm
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,345
I actually had firsthand experience on this just the other day. Unfortunately, it seems that 1P and below are charged for SDC to a later flight....meaning I couldn't get the routing to travel with my brother.
Ended up being a blessing in disguise, as his flight out of ORD was delayed 4 hours with the weather on Saturday, so I was well fed and rested when I picked him up at our destination.
So, to answer your questions:
1. You are charged $75 to SDC to a later flight.
2. I wasn't willing to pay, so I don't know.
Ended up being a blessing in disguise, as his flight out of ORD was delayed 4 hours with the weather on Saturday, so I was well fed and rested when I picked him up at our destination.
So, to answer your questions:
1. You are charged $75 to SDC to a later flight.
2. I wasn't willing to pay, so I don't know.
Thanks,
RM
Aug 21, 2011, 10:23 pm
#137
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago (ORD)
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UA Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 566
As a 1P, I had enjoyed the waived same-day standby fees for 1Ps until UA changed them about 9-12 months ago (that was the subject of lots of complaints, including mine). I understand that standby fees are waived for 1Ks, but I thought that 1Ps not are charged that $75 fee if they want to get in line for standby.
However, on 2 flights this weekend (between ORD and SFO if that matters), I arrived early and was given standby on the next flight and no fee was discussed or charged. THe first flight I actually got into 1st class (!) though the second I ended up in a middle seat in E- in the 2nd to last row (at least not the last! It let me arrive at 10pm instead of 1am which was worth it but it's been a while since I did the E- thing and it definitely sucks).
I just looked on UA's website and it seems like the standby waiver is only for 1Ks, but just wanted to see if others had similar experiences as mine. Going to travel again next weekend and may want to standby as well, but not for the $75 charge. Has there been a reversion of policy for 1Ps, or was this a one-off (or "two-off") situation that I should not expect to count on happening again?
Thanks.
However, on 2 flights this weekend (between ORD and SFO if that matters), I arrived early and was given standby on the next flight and no fee was discussed or charged. THe first flight I actually got into 1st class (!) though the second I ended up in a middle seat in E- in the 2nd to last row (at least not the last! It let me arrive at 10pm instead of 1am which was worth it but it's been a while since I did the E- thing and it definitely sucks).
I just looked on UA's website and it seems like the standby waiver is only for 1Ks, but just wanted to see if others had similar experiences as mine. Going to travel again next weekend and may want to standby as well, but not for the $75 charge. Has there been a reversion of policy for 1Ps, or was this a one-off (or "two-off") situation that I should not expect to count on happening again?
Thanks.
Aug 21, 2011, 10:25 pm
#138
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
As a 1P, I had enjoyed the waived same-day standby fees for 1Ps until UA changed them about 9-12 months ago (that was the subject of lots of complaints, including mine). I understand that standby fees are waived for 1Ks, but I thought that 1Ps not are charged that $75 fee if they want to get in line for standby.
I just looked on UA's website and it seems like the standby waiver is only for 1Ks, but just wanted to see if others had similar experiences as mine. Going to travel again next weekend and may want to standby as well, but not for the $75 charge. Has there been a reversion of policy for 1Ps, or was this a one-off (or "two-off") situation that I should not expect to count on happening again.
I just looked on UA's website and it seems like the standby waiver is only for 1Ks, but just wanted to see if others had similar experiences as mine. Going to travel again next weekend and may want to standby as well, but not for the $75 charge. Has there been a reversion of policy for 1Ps, or was this a one-off (or "two-off") situation that I should not expect to count on happening again.
Aug 21, 2011, 10:32 pm
#139
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago (ORD)
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UA Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 566
FlyerChrisK-
Thanks for the link and reply!
I was looking at the more general page ( http://www.united.com/page/article/1...cessPrivileges ) and also was aware of the changed that I mentioned earlier when they got rid of the privilege for 1Ps, but I guess they changed it back for 1Ps, so I'm really happy about that!
Thanks.
One last question to clarify-
I read the policy to mean "within 3 hours of your request" and NOT within 3 hours of the originally scheduled flight, right?
Upcoming mileage run ORD-LAX and my first flight arrives LAX at 10:09am and my return flight does leave LAX until 6:57pm. However, once I land at LAX, under this policy, I should be able to immediately find the first LAX-ORD flight and go standby, right? Was considering renting a car and finding some good grub in the city but I might just instead turn right back around and fly home if that's possible (for free, I mean).
Thanks again for any help!
Thanks for the link and reply!
I was looking at the more general page ( http://www.united.com/page/article/1...cessPrivileges ) and also was aware of the changed that I mentioned earlier when they got rid of the privilege for 1Ps, but I guess they changed it back for 1Ps, so I'm really happy about that!
Thanks.
One last question to clarify-
I read the policy to mean "within 3 hours of your request" and NOT within 3 hours of the originally scheduled flight, right?
Upcoming mileage run ORD-LAX and my first flight arrives LAX at 10:09am and my return flight does leave LAX until 6:57pm. However, once I land at LAX, under this policy, I should be able to immediately find the first LAX-ORD flight and go standby, right? Was considering renting a car and finding some good grub in the city but I might just instead turn right back around and fly home if that's possible (for free, I mean).
Thanks again for any help!
Last edited by iluv2fly; Aug 22, 2011 at 12:03 am Reason: merge
Aug 21, 2011, 10:57 pm
#140
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
I read the policy to mean "within 3 hours of your request" and NOT within 3 hours of the originally scheduled flight, right?
Upcoming mileage run ORD-LAX and my first flight arrives LAX at 10:09am and my return flight does leave LAX until 6:57pm. However, once I land at LAX, under this policy, I should be able to immediately find the first LAX-ORD flight and go standby, right? Was considering renting a car and finding some good grub in the city but I might just instead turn right back around and fly home if that's possible (for free, I mean).
Thanks again for any help!
Upcoming mileage run ORD-LAX and my first flight arrives LAX at 10:09am and my return flight does leave LAX until 6:57pm. However, once I land at LAX, under this policy, I should be able to immediately find the first LAX-ORD flight and go standby, right? Was considering renting a car and finding some good grub in the city but I might just instead turn right back around and fly home if that's possible (for free, I mean).
Thanks again for any help!
You should probably check on availabilities out of LAX before you take off from ORD to have a good idea of whether it's worth standing around LAX. I'd personally kill 8 hours in the Los Angeles area (whether by renting a car, having some friends pick me up, or hopping on public transportation [it's exceedingly efficient at the one task I have for it... getting me to and from LAX]), especially if you might have to stand around at the airport for a few hours.
Aug 21, 2011, 11:08 pm
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,345
One last question to clarify-
I read the policy to mean "within 3 hours of your request" and NOT within 3 hours of the originally scheduled flight, right?
Upcoming mileage run ORD-LAX and my first flight arrives LAX at 10:09am and my return flight does leave LAX until 6:57pm. However, once I land at LAX, under this policy, I should be able to immediately find the first LAX-ORD flight and go standby, right? Was considering renting a car and finding some good grub in the city but I might just instead turn right back around and fly home if that's possible (for free, I mean).
Thanks again for any help!
I read the policy to mean "within 3 hours of your request" and NOT within 3 hours of the originally scheduled flight, right?
Upcoming mileage run ORD-LAX and my first flight arrives LAX at 10:09am and my return flight does leave LAX until 6:57pm. However, once I land at LAX, under this policy, I should be able to immediately find the first LAX-ORD flight and go standby, right? Was considering renting a car and finding some good grub in the city but I might just instead turn right back around and fly home if that's possible (for free, I mean).
Thanks again for any help!
When you get to LAX go to the service center or to the next ORD flight and ask to be put on it. If there are any coach seats available then you can be confirmed right on the spot. If not then you can be put on standby and you'll be ranked by MP status, etc.
-RM
Aug 21, 2011, 11:10 pm
#142
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: OZ Diamond, UA Gold
Posts: 9,924
Yes, it's 3 hours within the flight time of the flight you want to get on! Not the flight you are confirmed on.
When you get to LAX go to the service center or to the next ORD flight and ask to be put on it. If there are any coach seats available then you can be confirmed right on the spot. If not then you can be put on standby and you'll be ranked by MP status, etc.
-RM
When you get to LAX go to the service center or to the next ORD flight and ask to be put on it. If there are any coach seats available then you can be confirmed right on the spot. If not then you can be put on standby and you'll be ranked by MP status, etc.
-RM
I wish they had just put COs policy on this, 3 hours isn't that long.
Aug 21, 2011, 11:14 pm
#143
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
CO's policy requires that there's inventory in your original fare bucket (if you're trying to confirm the change), so it can be a bit tougher to move things around. If you're trying to switch to a later flight, CO's policy is far more generous, but nonexistent inventory until they open things up a few hours out might keep you from safely making the jump.
Aug 23, 2011, 4:55 pm
#144
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Programs: UA 1K (MM), MR Plat Prem, Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,164
At RCC today asking for a same-day change to a DEN-ATL-IAD itinerary (to DEN-IAD). "It will be standby only, and it will be $75."
"Hmmmm..." says ssh, "Even for a 1P?"
"Yep. For everyone except 1K..."
We go around a couple of times, and she says, "It's in the system; it'll flag me."
However, she does the nice thing and requests a standby for the 902 and sends me to the gate with a departure card. I go down, go to the desk, the GA says, "Oh, I was just looking at that..." and hands me 21E (exit middle). No fees.
Now, what's the real story? Did this RCC/GA (she told me that she is also a GA) not know the current story? Or what?
"Hmmmm..." says ssh, "Even for a 1P?"
"Yep. For everyone except 1K..."
We go around a couple of times, and she says, "It's in the system; it'll flag me."
However, she does the nice thing and requests a standby for the 902 and sends me to the gate with a departure card. I go down, go to the desk, the GA says, "Oh, I was just looking at that..." and hands me 21E (exit middle). No fees.
Now, what's the real story? Did this RCC/GA (she told me that she is also a GA) not know the current story? Or what?
Aug 23, 2011, 5:28 pm
#145
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
At RCC today asking for a same-day change to a DEN-ATL-IAD itinerary (to DEN-IAD). "It will be standby only, and it will be $75."
"Hmmmm..." says ssh, "Even for a 1P?"
"Yep. For everyone except 1K..."
We go around a couple of times, and she says, "It's in the system; it'll flag me."
However, she does the nice thing and requests a standby for the 902 and sends me to the gate with a departure card. I go down, go to the desk, the GA says, "Oh, I was just looking at that..." and hands me 21E (exit middle). No fees.
Now, what's the real story? Did this RCC/GA (she told me that she is also a GA) not know the current story? Or what?
"Hmmmm..." says ssh, "Even for a 1P?"
"Yep. For everyone except 1K..."
We go around a couple of times, and she says, "It's in the system; it'll flag me."
However, she does the nice thing and requests a standby for the 902 and sends me to the gate with a departure card. I go down, go to the desk, the GA says, "Oh, I was just looking at that..." and hands me 21E (exit middle). No fees.
Now, what's the real story? Did this RCC/GA (she told me that she is also a GA) not know the current story? Or what?
Aug 23, 2011, 6:24 pm
#146
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
I booked a ticket with Continental on the day the current policy went into effect and I had to convince a CO GA to pull up the policy before she was willing to waive the fee for a SDC on that ticket a week later. It's possible that these agents are relying on their memory rather than current policy.
Aug 23, 2011, 7:47 pm
#147
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Programs: UA 1K (MM), MR Plat Prem, Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,164
The published policy states that routing changes are permitted. Did you request that the agent in question pull up the policy profile for same day changes?
I booked a ticket with Continental on the day the current policy went into effect and I had to convince a CO GA to pull up the policy before she was willing to waive the fee for a SDC on that ticket a week later. It's possible that these agents are relying on their memory rather than current policy.
I booked a ticket with Continental on the day the current policy went into effect and I had to convince a CO GA to pull up the policy before she was willing to waive the fee for a SDC on that ticket a week later. It's possible that these agents are relying on their memory rather than current policy.
According to the policy, you have to do route changes at the airport, but the fee change does apply.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Aug 23, 2011 at 8:49 pm Reason: merge
Aug 23, 2011, 10:41 pm
#148
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
I asked at the airport for specifically this reason, but the UA ticket counter agent said that the policy was SDC fee for anyone below 1K. Next time, I will take the above advice and refer her to the official policy if she doesn't want to be helpful. Thanks, all!
Aug 27, 2011, 12:54 am
#149
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SLC, UT
Programs: United 1K; HHonors Diamond; IHG Spire
Posts: 71
Same Day Change...twice?
Sorry if this has been answered before, but I've searched through the forum and can't find my exact situation.
I booked a ticket a good six weeks ago that has a return flight tomorrow, except now I need to stay here until Monday. Is it possible to do the "same day change" tomorrow AM and bump it back to Sunday, and then do it again on Sunday and bump it to Monday?
If not I'll just do the $150 change fee. (and not in the path of the hurricane, so no free changes on my radar).
Thank y'all!
I booked a ticket a good six weeks ago that has a return flight tomorrow, except now I need to stay here until Monday. Is it possible to do the "same day change" tomorrow AM and bump it back to Sunday, and then do it again on Sunday and bump it to Monday?
If not I'll just do the $150 change fee. (and not in the path of the hurricane, so no free changes on my radar).
Thank y'all!
Aug 27, 2011, 2:22 am
#150
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 429
Yes, it entirely is possible, but, of course, requires availability in your fare bucket for each SDC.