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 29, 2014, 12:33 pm
#4186
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karannarang
Quick question for the experts. I am looking to fly from EWR - IAH on 11/13. I get in at approx 8 AM and would ideally like to return after 1 PM. Problem is all flights after 1 PM are in the $800-$900 price range. Can i just buy the cheapest ticket at $375 and hope to get on any one of the return flights after 1 PM using SDC? I realize i won't have a choice in flights, but considering they have about 8 different flight options I believe i should be able to get something. I've never done this before and your opinions are appreciated.
The problem is that since those flights are already heavily booked (and hence have only high fare classes remaining), the fares might not level out to the extent they sometimes do at T-3. SDC is always easier on higher fare classes. You can almost always SDC on a B fare, but it can be really hard on a G or L. Sometimes you get lucky but I've tried to do what you're describing with no luck in the past.
Originally Posted by karannarang
Quick question for the experts. I am looking to fly from EWR - IAH on 11/13. I get in at approx 8 AM and would ideally like to return after 1 PM. Problem is all flights after 1 PM are in the $800-$900 price range. Can i just buy the cheapest ticket at $375 and hope to get on any one of the return flights after 1 PM using SDC? I realize i won't have a choice in flights, but considering they have about 8 different flight options I believe i should be able to get something. I've never done this before and your opinions are appreciated.
The problem is that since those flights are already heavily booked (and hence have only high fare classes remaining), the fares might not level out to the extent they sometimes do at T-3. SDC is always easier on higher fare classes. You can almost always SDC on a B fare, but it can be really hard on a G or L. Sometimes you get lucky but I've tried to do what you're describing with no luck in the past.
Oct 29, 2014, 12:58 pm
#4188
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 363
Is it not always the rules, the SDC flight has to be rebooked
in the same class of service, of the original flight, and then the upgrade to be processed ?
Oct 29, 2014, 1:03 pm
#4189
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Oct 29, 2014, 9:01 pm
#4190
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I know that the departure time of the old and new itinerary have to be within 24h of each other, so here's my question:
I'm flying a same-day turn, PHL-IAH-LAX-SFO-PHL (fared as PHL-LAX-PHL), so UA.com says I'm flying from PHL to PHL. I want to change to a later LAX-SFO flight. Would I have to be within 24 hours of the new LAX-SFO to change to that, or within 24 hours of the departure of PHL-IAH? In other words, what is considered to be my itinerary?
I'm flying a same-day turn, PHL-IAH-LAX-SFO-PHL (fared as PHL-LAX-PHL), so UA.com says I'm flying from PHL to PHL. I want to change to a later LAX-SFO flight. Would I have to be within 24 hours of the new LAX-SFO to change to that, or within 24 hours of the departure of PHL-IAH? In other words, what is considered to be my itinerary?
Oct 29, 2014, 9:06 pm
#4191
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....
I'm flying a same-day turn, PHL-IAH-LAX-SFO-PHL (fared as PHL-LAX-PHL), so UA.com says I'm flying from PHL to PHL. I want to change to a later LAX-SFO flight. Would I have to be within 24 hours of the new LAX-SFO to change to that, or within 24 hours of the departure of PHL-IAH? In other words, what is considered to be my itinerary?
I'm flying a same-day turn, PHL-IAH-LAX-SFO-PHL (fared as PHL-LAX-PHL), so UA.com says I'm flying from PHL to PHL. I want to change to a later LAX-SFO flight. Would I have to be within 24 hours of the new LAX-SFO to change to that, or within 24 hours of the departure of PHL-IAH? In other words, what is considered to be my itinerary?
From the wiki
All remaining unflown segments in single fared itinerary are considered together
Oct 29, 2014, 9:27 pm
#4192
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I'm flying a same-day turn, PHL-IAH-LAX-SFO-PHL (fared as PHL-LAX-PHL), so UA.com says I'm flying from PHL to PHL. I want to change to a later LAX-SFO flight. Would I have to be within 24 hours of the new LAX-SFO to change to that, or within 24 hours of the departure of PHL-IAH? In other words, what is considered to be my itinerary?
IIRC, wasn't offered SDC until only two segments of itin were left.
Oct 29, 2014, 10:13 pm
#4193
Join Date: Aug 2011
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You can sometimes alter later individual segments using the "just want to touch that one segment" language with a phone agent.
Oct 29, 2014, 11:45 pm
#4194
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Oct 30, 2014, 12:23 pm
#4195
Join Date: Mar 2005
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I know that the departure time of the old and new itinerary have to be within 24h of each other, so here's my question:
I'm flying a same-day turn, PHL-IAH-LAX-SFO-PHL (fared as PHL-LAX-PHL), so UA.com says I'm flying from PHL to PHL. I want to change to a later LAX-SFO flight. Would I have to be within 24 hours of the new LAX-SFO to change to that, or within 24 hours of the departure of PHL-IAH? In other words, what is considered to be my itinerary?
I'm flying a same-day turn, PHL-IAH-LAX-SFO-PHL (fared as PHL-LAX-PHL), so UA.com says I'm flying from PHL to PHL. I want to change to a later LAX-SFO flight. Would I have to be within 24 hours of the new LAX-SFO to change to that, or within 24 hours of the departure of PHL-IAH? In other words, what is considered to be my itinerary?
you will not be able to change the LAX-SFO until you get to LAX. unless of course, an agent is willing to do it for you.
Oct 30, 2014, 12:43 pm
#4196
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How accurate are the fare buckets on United.com? I am trying to SDC a G fare. I see G9 and G2 for segments I want to take from SFO-EWR-FLL, but when I call to do SDC, they say there is no G on second flight. Called back 2 times and get same answer. I am within 24 hrs.
Is this usual to have wrong bucket availability on .com??
Is this usual to have wrong bucket availability on .com??
Oct 30, 2014, 12:48 pm
#4198
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
How accurate are the fare buckets on United.com? I am trying to SDC a G fare. I see G9 and G2 for segments I want to take from SFO-EWR-FLL, but when I call to do SDC, they say there is no G on second flight. Called back 2 times and get same answer. I am within 24 hrs.
Is this usual to have wrong bucket availability on .com??
Is this usual to have wrong bucket availability on .com??
Oct 30, 2014, 12:49 pm
#4199
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How accurate are the fare buckets on United.com? I am trying to SDC a G fare. I see G9 and G2 for segments I want to take from SFO-EWR-FLL, but when I call to do SDC, they say there is no G on second flight. Called back 2 times and get same answer. I am within 24 hrs.
Is this usual to have wrong bucket availability on .com??
Is this usual to have wrong bucket availability on .com??
Oct 30, 2014, 1:02 pm
#4200
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
Doing SFO-FLL search. I am looking SFO-EWR at 11:11am, then EWR-FLL at 9:10pm departure. Later shows G2, they say G0. For Oct 31 Friday.