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}
Jan 25, 2012, 11:33 pm
#301
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Based on that - I think UA's policy will survive.
24-Hour standby? Basically it means no one will buy weekend tickets ever.
24-Hour standby? Basically it means no one will buy weekend tickets ever.
Jan 25, 2012, 11:37 pm
#302
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Detroit, MI
Programs: MileagePlus: 1k 2012; Continental Platinum 2010-11
Posts: 39
But its what kept continental different from other airlines. In addition, you do play the risk that your fare is not available the day before for you to go standby but long term you keep frequent fliers happy with that flexibility.
Jan 25, 2012, 11:49 pm
#303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
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Sorry - but the old Continental is gone. Only United remains.
Jan 26, 2012, 12:28 am
#304
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
Not exactly. Standby is only allowed on the original day of departure. You cannot standby for the day before or the day after. That is, you can only move to the day before or after if the same fare class is available.
I have run into that trouble multiple times with the elite desk and club agents.
Overall, I really like CO policy and I hope it survives the merger.
I have run into that trouble multiple times with the elite desk and club agents.
Overall, I really like CO policy and I hope it survives the merger.
Jan 26, 2012, 1:39 am
#305
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,345
The argument between both systems has gone on for a long time and there's a massive thread about it. I suggest this thread be merged with it so you can all read that thread rather than having a complete re-hash of the same thing.
-RM
Jan 26, 2012, 6:04 am
#306
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
To my knowledge it has not been announced yet. However, since the CO res system will be the one used going forward on March 3rd it's a good bet that CO's system will survive for the time being. However, UA's policy may come back when the IT teams have had enough time to make the change on the CO side.
-RM
-RM
And, yes, there are pros and cons to both versions.
Jan 27, 2012, 5:01 pm
#307
Join Date: May 2005
Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC
Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 5,485
To what is this in reference? From what I see the old United is the one that's going away (excluding a few things, the name being one of them).
Jan 27, 2012, 7:36 pm
#308
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 834
United has kept their policy on same day changes. Just got this from the website tonight. If you notice it address Continental Elites, as well as confirmed changes and standby changes. Hope this helps! 
Same-day travel changes
Confirmed same-day travel changes
On the same day of travel as your scheduled itinerary, if eligible seats are available, you can confirm a seat on an alternate United® or Continental® flight departing within three hours of the time of your request. Confirmed same-day changes involving only United flights may be completed online, by phone through United Reservations or at the airport. Confirmed same-day changes that switch from a United flight to a Continental flight may only be completed at the airport. A fee may apply in each direction of travel, as follows:
Mileage Plus® or OnePass® program status
the fee for a confirmed same-day travel change is…
• Global ServicesSM
• 1K®
• OnePass Platinum
• Premier Executive®
• OnePass Gold
• Companions traveling on the same reservation as an elite member at one of the above levels
$0
• Premier®
• OnePass Silver
• General members
$75*
Important notes:
Confirmed same-day travel changes are available only for flights that are wholly within the United States.
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.
Alternate flights must be scheduled to depart within three hours of your request. For United flights departing more than three hours after your request, or if changing to a flight that departs later than your originally scheduled flight, the standard change fee policy will apply.
The confirmed same-day travel change fee is nonrefundable and will be collected at the time when the change request is made.
Unconfirmed same-day standby
If a confirmed change is unavailable, you may choose to stand by for a seat on an alternate United flight on the same day of travel as your scheduled itinerary. A fee may apply in each direction of travel, as follows:
Mileage Plus® or OnePass® program status
the fee for same-day standby is…
• Global ServicesSM
• 1K®
• OnePass Platinum
• Premier Executive®
• OnePass Gold
• Companions traveling on the same reservation as an elite member at one of the above levels
$0
• Premier®
• OnePass Silver
• General members
$75*
If you request same-day standby, your name will be added to the standby list for the selected flight, and you will receive a departure management card for that flight when you complete check-in. Your name will be called at the departure gate if a seat is available on the selected flight, and your departure management card will then be replaced with a boarding pass. You will not be charged the fee until/unless you board a standby flight.
You can request same-day standby during online check-in or at an EasyCheck-in® kiosk at the airport. You may also see a customer service representative at the airport check-in counter.
Same-day standby is available only for flights within or between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.
Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable).
Standby flights must be scheduled to depart on the same day as your original ticketed flight and must depart earlier than your originally scheduled flight.
The same-day standby fee is nonrefundable. Payment information must be provided when requesting standby, but the fee will only be charged upon boarding of a standby flight.
*Customers traveling on Standard Award tickets or fully refundable tickets are exempt from fees for confirmed same-day travel changes and unconfirmed same-day standby
Same-day travel changes
Confirmed same-day travel changes
On the same day of travel as your scheduled itinerary, if eligible seats are available, you can confirm a seat on an alternate United® or Continental® flight departing within three hours of the time of your request. Confirmed same-day changes involving only United flights may be completed online, by phone through United Reservations or at the airport. Confirmed same-day changes that switch from a United flight to a Continental flight may only be completed at the airport. A fee may apply in each direction of travel, as follows:
Mileage Plus® or OnePass® program status
the fee for a confirmed same-day travel change is…
• Global ServicesSM
• 1K®
• OnePass Platinum
• Premier Executive®
• OnePass Gold
• Companions traveling on the same reservation as an elite member at one of the above levels
$0
• Premier®
• OnePass Silver
• General members
$75*
Important notes:
Confirmed same-day travel changes are available only for flights that are wholly within the United States.
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.
Alternate flights must be scheduled to depart within three hours of your request. For United flights departing more than three hours after your request, or if changing to a flight that departs later than your originally scheduled flight, the standard change fee policy will apply.
The confirmed same-day travel change fee is nonrefundable and will be collected at the time when the change request is made.
Unconfirmed same-day standby
If a confirmed change is unavailable, you may choose to stand by for a seat on an alternate United flight on the same day of travel as your scheduled itinerary. A fee may apply in each direction of travel, as follows:
Mileage Plus® or OnePass® program status
the fee for same-day standby is…
• Global ServicesSM
• 1K®
• OnePass Platinum
• Premier Executive®
• OnePass Gold
• Companions traveling on the same reservation as an elite member at one of the above levels
$0
• Premier®
• OnePass Silver
• General members
$75*
If you request same-day standby, your name will be added to the standby list for the selected flight, and you will receive a departure management card for that flight when you complete check-in. Your name will be called at the departure gate if a seat is available on the selected flight, and your departure management card will then be replaced with a boarding pass. You will not be charged the fee until/unless you board a standby flight.
You can request same-day standby during online check-in or at an EasyCheck-in® kiosk at the airport. You may also see a customer service representative at the airport check-in counter.
Same-day standby is available only for flights within or between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.
Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable).
Standby flights must be scheduled to depart on the same day as your original ticketed flight and must depart earlier than your originally scheduled flight.
The same-day standby fee is nonrefundable. Payment information must be provided when requesting standby, but the fee will only be charged upon boarding of a standby flight.
*Customers traveling on Standard Award tickets or fully refundable tickets are exempt from fees for confirmed same-day travel changes and unconfirmed same-day standby
Jan 27, 2012, 7:50 pm
#309
Join Date: May 2005
Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC
Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 5,485
CO's website has the 24-hour policy.
The interesting part:
So does this apply to UA tickets for UA metal? I assume no.
The interesting part:
The itinerary must be operated by Continental or United**.
...
** Includes flights operated by Continental, Continental Express, Continental Connection, United and United Express.
...
** Includes flights operated by Continental, Continental Express, Continental Connection, United and United Express.
Jan 27, 2012, 9:12 pm
#310
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
If you are on a CO ticket on UA metal getting the CO policy is possible. You have to call in and speak to an agent but it definitely works. I've used it to my advantage on an international flight (NRT-SFO-SEA => NRT-LAX-SEA) recently.
Jan 30, 2012, 3:43 pm
#311
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 154
Standby/SDC Fee for Only 1 Passenger in 2 Passenger PNR?
Hi all,
Here's the situation. I booked a flight for myself (1p) and a companion (2p) and only one of us needs to standby/SDC for an earlier flight.
In order to get the fee waved do we both need to standby or is it possible for him to standby on his own and for me to take the original flight? I'm sure we could split the PNR to do this, but I assume that would trigger the $75 fee for him to standby.
Here's the situation. I booked a flight for myself (1p) and a companion (2p) and only one of us needs to standby/SDC for an earlier flight.
In order to get the fee waved do we both need to standby or is it possible for him to standby on his own and for me to take the original flight? I'm sure we could split the PNR to do this, but I assume that would trigger the $75 fee for him to standby.
Jan 30, 2012, 5:24 pm
#312
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
Hi all,
Here's the situation. I booked a flight for myself (1p) and a companion (2p) and only one of us needs to standby/SDC for an earlier flight.
In order to get the fee waved do we both need to standby or is it possible for him to standby on his own and for me to take the original flight? I'm sure we could split the PNR to do this, but I assume that would trigger the $75 fee for him to standby.
Here's the situation. I booked a flight for myself (1p) and a companion (2p) and only one of us needs to standby/SDC for an earlier flight.
In order to get the fee waved do we both need to standby or is it possible for him to standby on his own and for me to take the original flight? I'm sure we could split the PNR to do this, but I assume that would trigger the $75 fee for him to standby.
Jan 30, 2012, 6:56 pm
#313
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 154
I don't know the answer to your question but I have a potential (albeit risky) work-around to your query. If there is still a seat open in the fare class you purchased on your currently scheduled flight, you could both SDC to the earlier flight, then split the PNR, then switch back to the original flight. A lot of hassle, a lot of chances in hoping you clear lists, etc., but an entirely-within-the-rules workaround if you fail to get a positive answer to your original question.
Does anyone have experience asking a CSR to put one person on standby but not the other?
Jan 30, 2012, 7:08 pm
#314
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,345
Hi all,
Here's the situation. I booked a flight for myself (1p) and a companion (2p) and only one of us needs to standby/SDC for an earlier flight.
In order to get the fee waved do we both need to standby or is it possible for him to standby on his own and for me to take the original flight? I'm sure we could split the PNR to do this, but I assume that would trigger the $75 fee for him to standby.
Here's the situation. I booked a flight for myself (1p) and a companion (2p) and only one of us needs to standby/SDC for an earlier flight.
In order to get the fee waved do we both need to standby or is it possible for him to standby on his own and for me to take the original flight? I'm sure we could split the PNR to do this, but I assume that would trigger the $75 fee for him to standby.
-RM
Feb 2, 2012, 10:29 am
#315
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 1,208
I had the same situation (reservation originally on UA) and had no problem switching from the CO flights back to UA with different routing 24 hours out. I had called prior to 24 hours to ask if it would be possible and they said yes, and then called to actually do it within the window and they did it. They had to check with a supervisor but they said yes... as long as the fare class was available which it was.