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 6, 2014, 7:58 am
#4351
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: 1K
Posts: 784
I am fairly certain this is true. However, I have travelled with non-elite coworkers and noticed that they were able to standby without a fee. It seems like it is up to the discretion of the agent.
Dec 6, 2014, 8:26 am
#4352
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: UA Gold MM, HHonors Gold, Hertz Five Star Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis First
Posts: 462
I agree with you that it is a pain to hear different stories from different employees!
In this case, it is upto the airport. If you go early and explain your case, a sympathetic agent may give you a boarding pass but it is not assured. Free standby is day of departure benefit.
In this case, it is upto the airport. If you go early and explain your case, a sympathetic agent may give you a boarding pass but it is not assured. Free standby is day of departure benefit.
Dec 6, 2014, 8:43 am
#4353
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,890
So, made an SDC last weekend when coming home from Thanksgiving. Called in to do it because I split the record on the outbound, and didn't want any funky stuff (changing one, then not having it offer the flight to the other....I've seen sometimes where it does this without actually attempting to book...but that's for another thread).
This was a simple SDC request...same routing, everything (SFO-ORD-CVG) - just moving the flight about 12 hours later. Agent was able to quickly make the change, but before hanging up, wanted to let me know that there would be a $3.72 refund to my card for each ticket. Both the agent and I were surprised, but he said that's what the computer was telling him. Sure enough, that amount shows as a refund on my card now.
Anyone know why this refund, though? I know taxes can be adjusted if, say, you change connection points, but I've never seen this for an itin. where the routing stays the same. Any guesses to what happened here?
This was a simple SDC request...same routing, everything (SFO-ORD-CVG) - just moving the flight about 12 hours later. Agent was able to quickly make the change, but before hanging up, wanted to let me know that there would be a $3.72 refund to my card for each ticket. Both the agent and I were surprised, but he said that's what the computer was telling him. Sure enough, that amount shows as a refund on my card now.
Anyone know why this refund, though? I know taxes can be adjusted if, say, you change connection points, but I've never seen this for an itin. where the routing stays the same. Any guesses to what happened here?
Dec 6, 2014, 9:55 am
#4354
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: ORD/IND
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Preferred, Hertz PC, Hyatt Discoverist , Marriott Titanium
Posts: 742
I have a flight on Dec 8, 4:30PM from MSP-LAX. Plans have changed and I'd like to fly out Dec 7 at 06:00AM MSP-LAX. 6AM flight has 20 seats open.
I am a 1K and call United, they said I can only stand by on flights within 24 hrs of original flights...I thought this policy was to change to confirmed flights, not stand by. Anyone have any experience with this. She said I could go to the airport but its at their discretion to let me stand by.....I really don't want to wake up at 4AM on a Sunday only for a possibility of getting on stand by.
I am a 1K and call United, they said I can only stand by on flights within 24 hrs of original flights...I thought this policy was to change to confirmed flights, not stand by. Anyone have any experience with this. She said I could go to the airport but its at their discretion to let me stand by.....I really don't want to wake up at 4AM on a Sunday only for a possibility of getting on stand by.
I'm pretty sure the only free way is to try and standby for the flight.
Dec 6, 2014, 10:19 am
#4355
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 1,032
Giving Thanks
I really appreciated the SDC this year. To be sure, not all flights I wanted were available but enough so that I could make more desirable flights when really needed.
This is the reason I'm giving UA more chance (I flew both DL and AA/US as an elite with bad results regarding SDC). This and *A.
This is the reason I'm giving UA more chance (I flew both DL and AA/US as an elite with bad results regarding SDC). This and *A.
Dec 6, 2014, 11:43 am
#4356
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,890
I have a flight on Dec 8, 4:30PM from MSP-LAX. Plans have changed and I'd like to fly out Dec 7 at 06:00AM MSP-LAX. 6AM flight has 20 seats open.
I am a 1K and call United, they said I can only stand by on flights within 24 hrs of original flights...I thought this policy was to change to confirmed flights, not stand by. Anyone have any experience with this. She said I could go to the airport but its at their discretion to let me stand by.....I really don't want to wake up at 4AM on a Sunday only for a possibility of getting on stand by.
Was this United rep being a pain in the butt or do I rly have no chance of getting on?
I am a 1K and call United, they said I can only stand by on flights within 24 hrs of original flights...I thought this policy was to change to confirmed flights, not stand by. Anyone have any experience with this. She said I could go to the airport but its at their discretion to let me stand by.....I really don't want to wake up at 4AM on a Sunday only for a possibility of getting on stand by.
Was this United rep being a pain in the butt or do I rly have no chance of getting on?
If you want to change your flight to another one that is ~36 hours earlier, the only way to guarantee getting on that flight is to make a change and pay the fee (+ potential fate difference), even if the flight is open.
Standby is pretty much a subset of SDC - there is no rule permitting standby earlier than the SDC options. IMO, the only reason standby still exists is to give people a chance to get on an earlier flight if they don't want to pay the fare difference, and that's not a guarantee to get on the flight. SDC provides the guarantee, and standby has no other advantage, as the fee is the same.
To go 36 hours early, an agent at the airport may put you on at their discretion, sure. But they certainly don't have to. And if there's no rule specifying standby like that, IME the expectation should be to get rejected, and be pleasantly surprised if they let you do this for the standby fee.
So take your chances if you wish. If you absolutely need to travel early, pay the change fee. If you'd like to go, but don't have to, figure out what's more important and realize that any trip out to the airport might potentially be a waste of time.
Dec 6, 2014, 11:50 am
#4357
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Dayton
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, National Emerald Exec
Posts: 240
Consider from UA perspective if they allowed us to go standby like you are requesting we would completely circumvent the already generous SDC system. Why worry about paying change fees at all if I can just go stand by on every flight for the week and just jump on the one I want, sure there is no guarantee you get the flight but still that would probably be a little too generous of a benefit... 24 hours is the rule.
As said above if you want to leave before that you gotta pay to play.
Dec 6, 2014, 12:01 pm
#4358
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
I have a flight on Dec 8, 4:30PM from MSP-LAX. Plans have changed and I'd like to fly out Dec 7 at 06:00AM MSP-LAX...
I am a 1K and call United, they said I can only stand by on flights within 24 hrs of original flights...I thought this policy was to change to confirmed flights, not stand by.
I am a 1K and call United, they said I can only stand by on flights within 24 hrs of original flights...I thought this policy was to change to confirmed flights, not stand by.
Originally Posted by bulgarianfreak55
On a side note, it is amazing how different UA Reps tell you different things. I've had experiences trying to change to earlier flight same day and one rep tells me there is a fare difference and I'd have to pay like $300...I call back another rep 3 minutes later and she changes me for free....
But the amazing discretion UA employees seem to have to do as they please can work in your favor if you go to the airport the day you want to fly and act charming. I have always found (on all carriers, not just UA) you can usually make a better deal for yourself at the airport, face to face, than via other, remote channels.
Dec 6, 2014, 12:03 pm
#4359
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Dayton
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, National Emerald Exec
Posts: 240
But the amazing discretion UA employees seem to have to do as they please can work in your favor if you go to the airport the day you want to fly and act charming. I have always found (on all carriers, not just UA) you can usually make a better deal for yourself at the airport, face to face, than via other, remote channels.
To clarify though... OP doesnt want a SDC... he knows thats 24 hrs. He wants to be able to just go standby for the earlier flight (which ultimately would be nearly the same thing as an unlimited SDC window and this is why they dont allow it.) What is unfortunate is that none of the agents can verbalize this consistently.
Oh Mods... not sure this thread deserved to be merged... there was some SDC talk but the discussion was posed and should have been directed at Standby rules... oval peg in a round hole here.
Dec 6, 2014, 7:59 pm
#4360
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Can I assume that for SDC purposes at least a GM with a P Fare is treated the same as any other Y fare in that they will still have to pay $75 to SDC?
Dec 6, 2014, 8:22 pm
#4361
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
Dec 6, 2014, 10:06 pm
#4363
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'd say 99% likely this particular ticket has a minimum change fee of $200, and that a general member will have to pay $75 to SDC.
Dec 7, 2014, 7:45 am
#4364
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Dec 8, 2014, 7:26 am
#4365
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: COS, DEN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 172
OK, so I've used SDC before, but never when I've needed it. Only to change to a better aircraft or layover on the same departure day. Today I've run into a bit of a glitch and NEED to SDC my flight tomorrow.
I'm stuck in Austin until Tuesday night. I have a DEN-LGA flight at 8:20 am Tuesday morning returning on the 5:17 pm that same day. I would like to change these flights to Wed at the same time. Can I do this in one change, or will the fact that I need to be within 24 hours of the new flight necessitate two changes?
In other words, if I wait until 24 hours before the new flight, the orriginal flight will have left and I will be marked as a no show?
Any strategy offered is also appreciated.
Thanks,
Zeug
I'm stuck in Austin until Tuesday night. I have a DEN-LGA flight at 8:20 am Tuesday morning returning on the 5:17 pm that same day. I would like to change these flights to Wed at the same time. Can I do this in one change, or will the fact that I need to be within 24 hours of the new flight necessitate two changes?
In other words, if I wait until 24 hours before the new flight, the orriginal flight will have left and I will be marked as a no show?
Any strategy offered is also appreciated.
Thanks,
Zeug