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}
Oct 31, 2013, 5:35 pm
#2701
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,138
You could pay the change fee + fare diff to make the switch, or just book DEN-MSY o/w and skip out on DEN-SAN.
Oct 31, 2013, 6:33 pm
#2702
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: MileagePlus *S A3M&B *G
Posts: 8
SDC
Hi everyone,
Am thinking of SDCing a flight.
Original Itinerary: SFO->EWR @1102pm on Sunday
Desired Flight: SFO-EWR @ 1150pm on Saturday
Was wondering if this is possible if I go to the airport? The flight has quite a bit of availability at the moment.
I have Premier Silver and Star Gold on Aegean and was wondering if there are ways to get the 75 dollars waived as well?
Thank you so much in advance!
Am thinking of SDCing a flight.
Original Itinerary: SFO->EWR @1102pm on Sunday
Desired Flight: SFO-EWR @ 1150pm on Saturday
Was wondering if this is possible if I go to the airport? The flight has quite a bit of availability at the moment.
I have Premier Silver and Star Gold on Aegean and was wondering if there are ways to get the 75 dollars waived as well?
Thank you so much in advance!
Oct 31, 2013, 6:38 pm
#2703
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,138
Hi everyone,
Am thinking of SDCing a flight.
Original Itinerary: SFO->EWR @1102pm on Sunday
Desired Flight: SFO-EWR @ 1150pm on Saturday
Was wondering if this is possible if I go to the airport? The flight has quite a bit of availability at the moment.
I have Premier Silver and Star Gold on Aegean and was wondering if there are ways to get the 75 dollars waived as well?
Thank you so much in advance!
Am thinking of SDCing a flight.
Original Itinerary: SFO->EWR @1102pm on Sunday
Desired Flight: SFO-EWR @ 1150pm on Saturday
Was wondering if this is possible if I go to the airport? The flight has quite a bit of availability at the moment.
I have Premier Silver and Star Gold on Aegean and was wondering if there are ways to get the 75 dollars waived as well?
Thank you so much in advance!
Not a great chance for a fee waiver, though.
Oct 31, 2013, 6:54 pm
#2704
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: MileagePlus *S A3M&B *G
Posts: 8
Thank you!
Nov 1, 2013, 10:14 am
#2706
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
Here's an interesting question:
How does SDC work on awards?
Normally, as a Plat or higher, you wouldn't bother dealing with SDC on an award--you'd just call the Premier Desk and have them make a fee-free change to the award itself, since there are no change fees or upfares.
With the recent award chart devaluation, there may be an opportunity next year to SDC a trip booked under the old award chart, where you wouldn't want to make an actual change to the award, since that would require the award to be rebooked at the new, higher level.
So, two major questions:
Not that I specifically plan on ever doing this, especially as US49 awards haven't changed and international awards are probably going to be nearly impossible to SDC, anyway (and anything I book under the old award chart will likely involve partners, too), but it did just occur to me.
How does SDC work on awards?
Normally, as a Plat or higher, you wouldn't bother dealing with SDC on an award--you'd just call the Premier Desk and have them make a fee-free change to the award itself, since there are no change fees or upfares.
With the recent award chart devaluation, there may be an opportunity next year to SDC a trip booked under the old award chart, where you wouldn't want to make an actual change to the award, since that would require the award to be rebooked at the new, higher level.
So, two major questions:
- Can awards even be SDCed? Will the OLCI system allow you to do so? Will agents (phone or airport) understand that you want to change times/routings without reissuing the award itself and paying additional miles? Or will they force you to rebook at the higher award level?
- If you are booked in X, must only X be available, or can you SDC to XN as well? If not, is it possible to (by calling in, perhaps, after ticketing) have an agent force you into XN on all segments (even the ones where the system defaults you to X) so as to preserve the greatest opportunities for SDC? (Ditto for awards booked in C and F.)
Not that I specifically plan on ever doing this, especially as US49 awards haven't changed and international awards are probably going to be nearly impossible to SDC, anyway (and anything I book under the old award chart will likely involve partners, too), but it did just occur to me.
Nov 1, 2013, 10:33 am
#2707
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Here's an interesting question:
How does SDC work on awards?
Normally, as a Plat or higher, you wouldn't bother dealing with SDC on an award--you'd just call the Premier Desk and have them make a fee-free change to the award itself, since there are no change fees or upfares.
With the recent award chart devaluation, there may be an opportunity next year to SDC a trip booked under the old award chart, where you wouldn't want to make an actual change to the award, since that would require the award to be rebooked at the new, higher level.
So, two major questions:
Not that I specifically plan on ever doing this, especially as US49 awards haven't changed and international awards are probably going to be nearly impossible to SDC, anyway (and anything I book under the old award chart will likely involve partners, too), but it did just occur to me.
How does SDC work on awards?
Normally, as a Plat or higher, you wouldn't bother dealing with SDC on an award--you'd just call the Premier Desk and have them make a fee-free change to the award itself, since there are no change fees or upfares.
With the recent award chart devaluation, there may be an opportunity next year to SDC a trip booked under the old award chart, where you wouldn't want to make an actual change to the award, since that would require the award to be rebooked at the new, higher level.
So, two major questions:
- Can awards even be SDCed? Will the OLCI system allow you to do so? Will agents (phone or airport) understand that you want to change times/routings without reissuing the award itself and paying additional miles? Or will they force you to rebook at the higher award level?
- If you are booked in X, must only X be available, or can you SDC to XN as well? If not, is it possible to (by calling in, perhaps, after ticketing) have an agent force you into XN on all segments (even the ones where the system defaults you to X) so as to preserve the greatest opportunities for SDC? (Ditto for awards booked in C and F.)
Not that I specifically plan on ever doing this, especially as US49 awards haven't changed and international awards are probably going to be nearly impossible to SDC, anyway (and anything I book under the old award chart will likely involve partners, too), but it did just occur to me.
I've asked the UA Insider team about this "unforeseen" effect of their change to X/XN releasing, and they said that they're talking to stakeholders and trying to figure out what to do about it. Not especially helpful for the time being.
As for X vs. XN, this strikes me as the only place where X vs. XN actually manages to matter, despite the unending freak-outs about being booked into X as an elite. I don't know the answer, but I have a feeling that the answer might be bad.
Nov 1, 2013, 10:58 am
#2708
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 22
SDC on a cleared miles + cash upgrade
If i have cleared a miles and cash upgrade ($600 + 30K miles for a TPAC flight), and do a SDC change to another flight with no R/RN availability, do I lose my $600 and 30K miles?
Nov 2, 2013, 1:12 pm
#2709
Used to be 'joony'
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NEC
Programs: General Member!
Posts: 203
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost*
Is it possible to SDC same day standby for a flight that is tomorrow? I'd get into the airport with today's boarding pass for a different routing, then SDC to next day's flight for my desired routing, and try to take the red eye that night.
Nov 2, 2013, 3:00 pm
#2710
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
No but you lose you upgrade and IME you will not be able to do SDC online after being upgraded. You will have to call or go to the airport.
Nov 2, 2013, 3:23 pm
#2711
Used to be 'joony'
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NEC
Programs: General Member!
Posts: 203
Let me rephrase. I'm trying to do XXX-YYY-ZZZ with XXX-ZZZ red eye and YYY-ZZZ in the morning. Right now, YYY-ZZZ does not have availability to SDC, whereas the red eye does. However, XXX-YYY-ZZZ has availability tomorrow without the red eye. Could I SDC to that after getting into the airport with my pre SDC BP (other undesired routing) for the night before and ask to standby for the Red Eye to YYY after SDCing to XXX-YYY-ZZZ for tomorrow? That just seems counter to 'same day' in SDC, and it would create the long layover that I want (which SDC makes possible)
Nov 2, 2013, 3:26 pm
#2712
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Let me rephrase. I'm trying to do XXX-YYY-ZZZ with XXX-ZZZ red eye and YYY-ZZZ in the morning. Right now, YYY-ZZZ does not have availability to SDC, whereas the red eye does. However, XXX-YYY-ZZZ has availability tomorrow without the red eye. Could I SDC to that after getting into the airport with my pre SDC BP (other undesired routing) for the night before and ask to standby for the Red Eye to YYY after SDCing to XXX-YYY-ZZZ for tomorrow? That just seems counter to 'same day' in SDC, and it would create the long layover that I want (which SDC makes possible)
If you're trying to standby from tomorrow's XXX-YYY to tonight's redeye XXX-YYY, you "can't" do it, but have a good shot at either (1) finding an agent who will let you, or (2) having availability open up. If availability opens up, you should be able to find a phone agent who will let you move the single segment earlier, after you've switched to tomorrow's XXX-YYY-ZZZ.
Nov 2, 2013, 3:32 pm
#2713
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
I have SDC'd to a different flight/route with fare bucket availability, and then did Standby to the flight i wanted which had to fare bucket availability.
For instance.
Original flight was
SAN-IAH-BWI
Changed to
SAN-SFO-BWI (on the redeye open fare bucket)
Then Standby to the
SAN-SFO-BWI (3pm ish flight that arrives at 11pm ish no fare bucket available)
This was accomplished iwth an agent, and once I did standby, I was immediately confirmed and then all was well.
For instance.
Original flight was
SAN-IAH-BWI
Changed to
SAN-SFO-BWI (on the redeye open fare bucket)
Then Standby to the
SAN-SFO-BWI (3pm ish flight that arrives at 11pm ish no fare bucket available)
This was accomplished iwth an agent, and once I did standby, I was immediately confirmed and then all was well.
Nov 2, 2013, 3:47 pm
#2714
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
I have SDC'd to a different flight/route with fare bucket availability, and then did Standby to the flight i wanted which had to fare bucket availability.
For instance.
Original flight was
SAN-IAH-BWI
Changed to
SAN-SFO-BWI (on the redeye open fare bucket)
Then Standby to the
SAN-SFO-BWI (3pm ish flight that arrives at 11pm ish no fare bucket available)
This was accomplished iwth an agent, and once I did standby, I was immediately confirmed and then all was well.
For instance.
Original flight was
SAN-IAH-BWI
Changed to
SAN-SFO-BWI (on the redeye open fare bucket)
Then Standby to the
SAN-SFO-BWI (3pm ish flight that arrives at 11pm ish no fare bucket available)
This was accomplished iwth an agent, and once I did standby, I was immediately confirmed and then all was well.
Nov 3, 2013, 12:55 pm
#2715
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K MM, JL JMB SAPPHIRE, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,267
I have SDC'd to a different flight/route with fare bucket availability, and then did Standby to the flight i wanted which had to fare bucket availability.
For instance.
Original flight was
SAN-IAH-BWI
Changed to
SAN-SFO-BWI (on the redeye open fare bucket)
Then Standby to the
SAN-SFO-BWI (3pm ish flight that arrives at 11pm ish no fare bucket available)
This was accomplished iwth an agent, and once I did standby, I was immediately confirmed and then all was well.
For instance.
Original flight was
SAN-IAH-BWI
Changed to
SAN-SFO-BWI (on the redeye open fare bucket)
Then Standby to the
SAN-SFO-BWI (3pm ish flight that arrives at 11pm ish no fare bucket available)
This was accomplished iwth an agent, and once I did standby, I was immediately confirmed and then all was well.