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}
Sep 8, 2011, 2:16 pm
#167
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
If I'm looking to change metal and routing (currently booked on PDX-SFO-PHL, want to leave several hours earlier on PDX-IAH-PHL), my understanding is that I have to do it at the airport -- do I make the request at the check-in desk with UA, which is the ticketing carrier and how I'm currently scheduled to fly? Or does it not matter if I request the change at a RCC/PC?
At SAN, I tried to change from SAN-IAD-PHL (UA) to SAN-EWR-PHL (CO) earlier this week due to the impending storms out east, but the UA check-in folks said I'd have to pay a hefty change fee regardless of status. The agent even said that a GS (which I'm obviously not) would have to pay the same fees.
At SAN, I tried to change from SAN-IAD-PHL (UA) to SAN-EWR-PHL (CO) earlier this week due to the impending storms out east, but the UA check-in folks said I'd have to pay a hefty change fee regardless of status. The agent even said that a GS (which I'm obviously not) would have to pay the same fees.
Sep 12, 2011, 3:26 pm
#168
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 239
Anyone know if you can do a free SDC for the domestic portion of an intl itinerary (UA)?
Sep 12, 2011, 4:12 pm
#169
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
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-RM
Sep 12, 2011, 5:07 pm
#170
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
If you are not doing any routing changes, you can SDC as long as there is space. Otherwise you can always fly standby, which is the same thing except you don't get a confirmed seat in advance.
Sep 12, 2011, 5:20 pm
#171
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Sep 12, 2011, 7:09 pm
#172
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
To clarify, if you cannot confirm space, you cannot do standby on an alternate routing (unless it only simplifies your routing, i.e., SFO-DEN-EWR to SFO-EWR rather than adding a connection or changing it).
Sep 12, 2011, 8:14 pm
#173
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA 1K; SPG Plat; Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,179
Sep 12, 2011, 8:23 pm
#174
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
I haven't tried a purely UA-stock, UA-metal SDC with CO.
Sep 22, 2011, 12:31 am
#175
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 1,208
When can we do 24 hour SDC on UA?
Does anyone know when we can do 24 hour instead of 3 hour SDC? I really would like to do that soon.
I'm also still confused on the old policy which policy is in effect. Is it the ticket stock (005 versus 016 - i think those are right), or is it the metal you were on (in which case if you had a connection is it the first or second), or is the metal you are going to...i just don't quite get it.
I'm also still confused on the old policy which policy is in effect. Is it the ticket stock (005 versus 016 - i think those are right), or is it the metal you were on (in which case if you had a connection is it the first or second), or is the metal you are going to...i just don't quite get it.
Sep 22, 2011, 3:54 am
#176
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
Does anyone know when we can do 24 hour instead of 3 hour SDC? I really would like to do that soon.
I'm also still confused on the old policy which policy is in effect. Is it the ticket stock (005 versus 016 - i think those are right), or is it the metal you were on (in which case if you had a connection is it the first or second), or is the metal you are going to...i just don't quite get it.
I'm also still confused on the old policy which policy is in effect. Is it the ticket stock (005 versus 016 - i think those are right), or is it the metal you were on (in which case if you had a connection is it the first or second), or is the metal you are going to...i just don't quite get it.
On the other hand, if you have a CO ticket with CO flight numbers but UA operated, I have successfully been able to SDC to a CO flight within 24 hrs. CO Elite line handled that.
Last edited by 1KHI; Sep 22, 2011 at 4:09 am
Sep 22, 2011, 9:56 am
#177
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1k
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The operating carrier rules apply. If your ticket is operated by UA then UA rules apply, therefore the 3 hr rule.
On the other hand, if you have a CO ticket with CO flight numbers but UA operated, I have successfully been able to SDC to a CO flight within 24 hrs. CO Elite line handled that.
On the other hand, if you have a CO ticket with CO flight numbers but UA operated, I have successfully been able to SDC to a CO flight within 24 hrs. CO Elite line handled that.
Sep 22, 2011, 12:54 pm
#178
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
For example: Your flight is CO stock but on UA metal, MKE-ORD-AUS. At t-24 you can call CO and asked to be put on a flight at t-12, new routing MKE-IAH-AUS. CO would not be able to change you to the t-12 routing MKE-DEN-AUS, however, since that is UA metal.
Second example: Your itin was issued by UA but is on CO metal, again MKE-IAH-AUS. You call UA at t-20, they say that it's outside the 3-hour window. You hang up and call CO; they will let you SDC onto the t-12 MKE-IAH-AUS or MKE-EWR-AUS if there is confirmable space in the same fare bucket.
Hope that clears up some degree of confusion.
Sep 28, 2011, 6:06 pm
#179
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: IAH TX USA
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I think the confusions lie when the segments are split. I am looking at a IAH - ORD - DTW. Where IAH - ORD is CO metal, and ORD - DTW is UA Metal, but CO ticketing.
Then what happens? T-24 for the whole routing or just the CO operated segment. Well you can't really standby for half a flight. Then because remaining portion is restricted to SCD ONLY within 3 hours of request.
Would it be possible to switch to a direct flight CO metal, provided inventory is available, thus bypassing the 3 hour ADC UA metal segment altogether.
It is those mixed flights mixed metal routings that cause confusion.
Then what happens? T-24 for the whole routing or just the CO operated segment. Well you can't really standby for half a flight. Then because remaining portion is restricted to SCD ONLY within 3 hours of request.
Would it be possible to switch to a direct flight CO metal, provided inventory is available, thus bypassing the 3 hour ADC UA metal segment altogether.
It is those mixed flights mixed metal routings that cause confusion.
Sep 28, 2011, 6:27 pm
#180
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
I think the confusions lie when the segments are split. I am looking at a IAH - ORD - DTW. Where IAH - ORD is CO metal, and ORD - DTW is UA Metal, but CO ticketing.
Then what happens? T-24 for the whole routing or just the CO operated segment. Well you can't really standby for half a flight. Then because remaining portion is restricted to SCD ONLY within 3 hours of request.
Would it be possible to switch to a direct flight CO metal, provided inventory is available, thus bypassing the 3 hour ADC UA metal segment altogether.
It is those mixed flights mixed metal routings that cause confusion.
Then what happens? T-24 for the whole routing or just the CO operated segment. Well you can't really standby for half a flight. Then because remaining portion is restricted to SCD ONLY within 3 hours of request.
Would it be possible to switch to a direct flight CO metal, provided inventory is available, thus bypassing the 3 hour ADC UA metal segment altogether.
It is those mixed flights mixed metal routings that cause confusion.