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}
Nov 5, 2014, 2:21 am
#4231
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 318
tips or tricks for changing a flight time once an itinerary has begun?
i have a flight from detroit to chicago...then chicago to boston.
i want to change the time of departure (not the date) from chicago to boston.
to do that right now, it's a $200 change fee...no way!
i have heard rumors that once an itinerary has begun, i.e. once i'm airborne from detroit, that it is indeed possible to change your next flight's time for free.
any confirmation on this? it's an economy ticket. not an award ticket.
thx!
cb
i want to change the time of departure (not the date) from chicago to boston.
to do that right now, it's a $200 change fee...no way!
i have heard rumors that once an itinerary has begun, i.e. once i'm airborne from detroit, that it is indeed possible to change your next flight's time for free.
any confirmation on this? it's an economy ticket. not an award ticket.
thx!
cb
Nov 5, 2014, 2:26 am
#4232
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,240
i have a flight from detroit to chicago...then chicago to boston.
i want to change the time of departure (not the date) from chicago to boston.
to do that right now, it's a $200 change fee...no way!
i have heard rumors that once an itinerary has begun, i.e. once i'm airborne from detroit, that it is indeed possible to change your next flight's time for free.
any confirmation on this? it's an economy ticket. not an award ticket.
thx!
cb
i want to change the time of departure (not the date) from chicago to boston.
to do that right now, it's a $200 change fee...no way!
i have heard rumors that once an itinerary has begun, i.e. once i'm airborne from detroit, that it is indeed possible to change your next flight's time for free.
any confirmation on this? it's an economy ticket. not an award ticket.
thx!
cb
Nov 5, 2014, 2:29 am
#4233
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
Only downside to that is waiting until the last minute risks a full flight.
Nov 6, 2014, 10:00 am
#4234
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 66
Sorry if this has been asked before (I did try searching but couldn't find the right combination of keywords)...
Can a traveler who is UA *G (or higher) still get SDC benefits (i.e., no fees) if they are traveling on an award ticket pulled from a non-status MP account? My guess is this is something that could be done at the airport by showing the ticketing agent my *G MP card, or something like that?
[Here's my specific situation: I'm a Plat, who will be traveling on an award ticket pulled from a family member's MP account. That family member does not have any status with UA. I've done SDCs on revenue tickets before so I know how that works, but I wasn't sure if I still qualify for no-fee SDC when I'm on a non-status award ticket? I did read that SDC on award tickets are becoming increasingly difficult, but, just in case, I wanted to be prepared if I got the option to take an earlier flight back (this would be for the last leg of my trip). TIA for your help!]
Can a traveler who is UA *G (or higher) still get SDC benefits (i.e., no fees) if they are traveling on an award ticket pulled from a non-status MP account? My guess is this is something that could be done at the airport by showing the ticketing agent my *G MP card, or something like that?
[Here's my specific situation: I'm a Plat, who will be traveling on an award ticket pulled from a family member's MP account. That family member does not have any status with UA. I've done SDCs on revenue tickets before so I know how that works, but I wasn't sure if I still qualify for no-fee SDC when I'm on a non-status award ticket? I did read that SDC on award tickets are becoming increasingly difficult, but, just in case, I wanted to be prepared if I got the option to take an earlier flight back (this would be for the last leg of my trip). TIA for your help!]
Nov 6, 2014, 2:06 pm
#4235
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K and MM
Posts: 174
Hang up and call again (HUACA) works twice!
I have a one-way P class First Class fare sfo-lax-ewr on the redeye departing Friday 10/31 659 pm. I think I paid around $570 for the one way when I bought the ticket weeks ago and I now need to change to a Saturday 11/1 departure. I am a UA platinum and new to the Same Day Change without fee procedure. Something came up and I need to be around on Saturday til the afternoon. But I need to be in EWR by Sunday morning, and I need the miles to get me to 1K!
I was able to move from a 659 pm SFO-LAS-EWR flight on Friday to a 1040 pm flight SFO-EWR on Saturday, and was able to retain my first class seat as there were F seats available at each leg when I did my SDCs.
I had to do 3 SDCs in the process to go from a 659p Friday SFO-LAS-EWR departure to a 1040p Friday SFO-EWR departure to a 659p SFO-LAS-EWR Saturday departure and finally on Friday at 11 pm to a Saturday 1040 pm SFO-EWR departure.
Interestingly in each of the first two SDCs, I got Agent 1 that said I couldn't make the change. Agent 1 incredulously said that since I bought a P fare that had stops, I really had two different tickets, and I could only SDC to an itinerary that had the same stop in LAS. Since I knew this was only a temporary SDC, I went along. After 35 minutes with her trying to figure out a way I could SDC to a later SFO-LAS-EWR itinerary on Saturday that avoided mistimed connections and excessive layovers (she said I could only stay in Vegas for 4 hours), we came up with one that required a rigorous multiple call schedule that I could only do the next morning.
I was okay with that, but then I called back and got Agent 2 and asked for the same change that I presented to Agent 1, and bam, done in 5 minutes,moved from the 659 pm one stop to the 1040 pm nonstop on Friday night. HUACA strikes again!
The second SDC call was after 7 pm on Friday to change from the 1040 pm SFO-EWR nonstop to the Saturday 659 SFO-LAS-EWR. Agent 3 said I had to wait until I was 24 hours within the LAS-EWR segment. Rather than discuss it, I just said, okay, and then called back and got Agent 4. Same request to Agent 4, and bam, done in 4 minutes.
Third SDC call for the flight I finally took was uneventful - took three minutes!
I really don't understand how Agents can have so many different ideas of the rules! All were nice and polite and seemingly knowledgeable, but apparently everyone has their own ideas of what can and can't be done on SDCs.
Nov 7, 2014, 7:43 am
#4236
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Hamburg
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Titanium, Hertz - President's Circle
Posts: 155
Nov 7, 2014, 9:05 am
#4237
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Is there any experience on moving directly from a confirmed R/PN (instrument upgrade) to another flight showing R/PN space, whereby the underlying fare code (H in this case) is H0 / zeroed out?
Nov 7, 2014, 10:44 am
#4238
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
I've gone thru the wiki and I think I have I have it down but I want to confirm and add a question or two...
I'm flying tomorrow (Saturday) SFO-JFK-SFO and I'm looking at changing the return to JFK-LAX-SFO
My original JFK-SFO flight departs at 5pm and the JFK-LAX flight departs at 6pm with the LAX-SFO conx departing at 10pm
Am I right that if I want to change, both flights have to be within t-24 so it's at 6pm for the JFK-LAX flight (not t-24 for my original flight) and the 10pm LAX-SFO departure doesn't come into play?
Now my other question-
My original fare class is K and and K is now showing available on both the JFK-LAX and the LAX-SFO flight so that part is good but what happens if say K is available on JFK-LAX but not LAX-SFO (or vv) when It comes time to do the change?
Lastly, I am also upgraded JFK-SFO and JFK-LAX is currently showing R available so how does one handle the upgrade? Do it on-line <shudder> or call in? My gut says this is a call in situation
I'm flying tomorrow (Saturday) SFO-JFK-SFO and I'm looking at changing the return to JFK-LAX-SFO
My original JFK-SFO flight departs at 5pm and the JFK-LAX flight departs at 6pm with the LAX-SFO conx departing at 10pm
Am I right that if I want to change, both flights have to be within t-24 so it's at 6pm for the JFK-LAX flight (not t-24 for my original flight) and the 10pm LAX-SFO departure doesn't come into play?
Now my other question-
My original fare class is K and and K is now showing available on both the JFK-LAX and the LAX-SFO flight so that part is good but what happens if say K is available on JFK-LAX but not LAX-SFO (or vv) when It comes time to do the change?
Lastly, I am also upgraded JFK-SFO and JFK-LAX is currently showing R available so how does one handle the upgrade? Do it on-line <shudder> or call in? My gut says this is a call in situation
Nov 7, 2014, 11:14 am
#4239
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,466
I've gone thru the wiki and I think I have I have it down but I want to confirm and add a question or two...
I'm flying tomorrow (Saturday) SFO-JFK-SFO and I'm looking at changing the return to JFK-LAX-SFO
My original JFK-SFO flight departs at 5pm and the JFK-LAX flight departs at 6pm with the LAX-SFO conx departing at 10pm
Am I right that if I want to change, both flights have to be within t-24 so it's at 6pm for the JFK-LAX flight (not t-24 for my original flight) and the 10pm LAX-SFO departure doesn't come into play?
Now my other question-
My original fare class is K and and K is now showing available on both the JFK-LAX and the LAX-SFO flight so that part is good but what happens if say K is available on JFK-LAX but not LAX-SFO (or vv) when It comes time to do the change?
Lastly, I am also upgraded JFK-SFO and JFK-LAX is currently showing R available so how does one handle the upgrade? Do it on-line <shudder> or call in? My gut says this is a call in situation
I'm flying tomorrow (Saturday) SFO-JFK-SFO and I'm looking at changing the return to JFK-LAX-SFO
My original JFK-SFO flight departs at 5pm and the JFK-LAX flight departs at 6pm with the LAX-SFO conx departing at 10pm
Am I right that if I want to change, both flights have to be within t-24 so it's at 6pm for the JFK-LAX flight (not t-24 for my original flight) and the 10pm LAX-SFO departure doesn't come into play?
Now my other question-
My original fare class is K and and K is now showing available on both the JFK-LAX and the LAX-SFO flight so that part is good but what happens if say K is available on JFK-LAX but not LAX-SFO (or vv) when It comes time to do the change?
Lastly, I am also upgraded JFK-SFO and JFK-LAX is currently showing R available so how does one handle the upgrade? Do it on-line <shudder> or call in? My gut says this is a call in situation
Nov 7, 2014, 11:32 am
#4240
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
You should be able to make this change at 6 pm, the 10 pm connecting flight should not matter. You will need K availability on both legs (or a very generous agent). You must call to deal with the upgrade. Ask the agent to confirm he/she sees the R available before making the change. Suggest you call immediately at the 24 hour window to snag the R.
, I'll be logged in at t-24 +1 minute watching things with phone in hand ready to dial
Nov 9, 2014, 6:44 am
#4241
Join Date: May 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: DL-Plat, UA-Plat 2MM, AA-PlatPro, B6-Mosaic 3, AY-Plat, HY-Globalist, MR-LT Plat, HH-Gold
Posts: 1,235
Currently booked ORD-EWR 7a tomorrow morning, trying to get on any PM flight today. Nothing in my fare class is available, so I'd like to get on the standby list and do it prior to the 3-hour period when the fare classes open up. No change flight options are showing up on web or app so I called UA and agent said unless there is confirmable space with SDC, the only option for s/b is at the airport. Is this accurate - anything else I can do?
Nov 9, 2014, 7:04 am
#4242
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Hamburg
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Titanium, Hertz - President's Circle
Posts: 155
Currently booked ORD-EWR 7a tomorrow morning, trying to get on any PM flight today. Nothing in my fare class is available, so I'd like to get on the standby list and do it prior to the 3-hour period when the fare classes open up. No change flight options are showing up on web or app so I called UA and agent said unless there is confirmable space with SDC, the only option for s/b is at the airport. Is this accurate - anything else I can do?
Nov 9, 2014, 7:07 am
#4243
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
Currently booked ORD-EWR 7a tomorrow morning, trying to get on any PM flight today. Nothing in my fare class is available, so I'd like to get on the standby list and do it prior to the 3-hour period when the fare classes open up. No change flight options are showing up on web or app so I called UA and agent said unless there is confirmable space with SDC, the only option for s/b is at the airport. Is this accurate - anything else I can do?
-FlyerBeek
Nov 9, 2014, 7:09 am
#4244
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Hamburg
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Titanium, Hertz - President's Circle
Posts: 155
Best option EWR-ORD
daslax: there is UA5003 via DBL that is open all the way to N. You should jump on it.
Nov 9, 2014, 7:11 am
#4245
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,890
Standby is also an option, but was correctly stated that this has to be done at the airport.
