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}
Dec 23, 2011, 1:06 pm
#241
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,970
On another thread, this guy seems to imply that he could indefinitely use the 24 hour rule to push back his departure time. Is the SDC stackable (until there is no inventory for the flight you want to delay to)?
Also, if you are at a connecting point (not ticketed as an official stopover), can you still do it (assuming you have no bags)? This guy was doing something like HNL-EWR-LHR and said he extended his original morning-in-afternoon-out connection to 2 almost a day stopover.
Thanks.
Dec 23, 2011, 1:16 pm
#242
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
Note UA Insider's post (quoted by me in post #239 above). Also, note that CO allows routing changes (e.g., a different connecting city) if the fare allows it, whereas UA does not.
Dec 23, 2011, 1:44 pm
#243
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,978
Im confused because it used to be that if I flew AAA-BBB-CCC and took my originally scheduled AAA-BBB and then tried to change to a later BBB-CCC flight that was more than four hours later, I could (since it was the next available flight). But, is it correct that I will be charged a difference in fare if I SDC to a later flight that is more than 4.25 hours later than arrival of inbound flight? Since it becomes a stopover?
Dec 23, 2011, 1:49 pm
#244
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
Im confused because it used to be that if I flew AAA-BBB-CCC and took my originally scheduled AAA-BBB and then tried to change to a later BBB-CCC flight that was more than four hours later, I could (since it was the next available flight). But, is it correct that I will be charged a difference in fare if I SDC to a later flight that is more than 4.25 hours later than arrival of inbound flight? Since it becomes a stopover?
Dec 23, 2011, 1:51 pm
#245
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
Im confused because it used to be that if I flew AAA-BBB-CCC and took my originally scheduled AAA-BBB and then tried to change to a later BBB-CCC flight that was more than four hours later, I could (since it was the next available flight). But, is it correct that I will be charged a difference in fare if I SDC to a later flight that is more than 4.25 hours later than arrival of inbound flight? Since it becomes a stopover?
Dec 23, 2011, 2:30 pm
#246
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
One thing that UA lets you do is to standby for a flight via OLCI, if it is not available to be confirmed. Does CO OLCI permit that? Where is it in the UI?
Dec 23, 2011, 2:38 pm
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Dec 23, 2011, 3:01 pm
#248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,890
Dec 23, 2011, 3:03 pm
#249
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,52142,00.html
Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable). You may change your connection city only if requesting the change at the airport.
Dec 23, 2011, 4:20 pm
#250
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K/MM, MC Life Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 722
Hopefully the behavior will become better balanced once they're done with the big integration changes and can focus more on fine-tuning their revenue management system to reflect the new reality. It's quite understandable that algorithms and parameters designed for a limited-hub regional carrier would be struggling to deal with the increased route complexity and customer mix of a true global airline like UA.
Dec 23, 2011, 6:53 pm
#251
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Central Virginia
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,231
It is SOP.
http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,52142,00.html
Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable). You may change your connection city only if requesting the change at the airport.
http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,52142,00.html
Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable). You may change your connection city only if requesting the change at the airport.
Last edited by Doug 1029; Dec 23, 2011 at 6:53 pm Reason: spelling
Dec 24, 2011, 7:49 am
#252
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 838
CO ticket stock, UA/US metal, elite reward ticket
Hi all,
I have a friend who is flying in a few weeks on a mixed UA/US itinerary. The ticket was 'purchased' using miles from my Gold Elite OnePass account. The routing is SNA-(UA)-SFO-(US)-PHL.
Right now the UA flight from SNA leaves very early in the morning, and my friend has a 4.5 hr layover in SFO before his US flight to PHL departs.
As a Gold Elite, will I be able to call CO within 24 hours of my friend's UA flight to move it back a few hours–to a later departure from SNA? (Thus reducing his layover time). Also, as a Gold issued reward ticket, will there be any SDC fees? (The traveler has no status).
Thanks!
I have a friend who is flying in a few weeks on a mixed UA/US itinerary. The ticket was 'purchased' using miles from my Gold Elite OnePass account. The routing is SNA-(UA)-SFO-(US)-PHL.
Right now the UA flight from SNA leaves very early in the morning, and my friend has a 4.5 hr layover in SFO before his US flight to PHL departs.
As a Gold Elite, will I be able to call CO within 24 hours of my friend's UA flight to move it back a few hours–to a later departure from SNA? (Thus reducing his layover time). Also, as a Gold issued reward ticket, will there be any SDC fees? (The traveler has no status).
Thanks!
Dec 24, 2011, 2:35 pm
#253
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Starwood Plat
Posts: 189
It is SOP.
http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,52142,00.html
Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable). You may change your connection city only if requesting the change at the airport.
http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,52142,00.html
Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable). You may change your connection city only if requesting the change at the airport.
Also, if I am flying on a 1-stop itinerary and want to switch to a non-stop, is it possible to be put on the standby list for the non-stop, or does a change in connection city require a confirmed change?
Dec 24, 2011, 2:50 pm
#254
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
An agent can do this for standby but strictly speaking no routing changes allowed for standby -- just allowed for SDC.
Dec 26, 2011, 10:55 am
#255
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
Is it just my luck with a sample size of 3 of 4 incidents or are CO elite desk phone agents a lot less nimble/empowered/up to speed than their UA 1K desk counterparts?