UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
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#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP 75K, AA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 827
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
Hi all,
Don't know if this has been mentioned, but it looks as if United and Continental have aligned their SDC fees (see hyperlinks). Though it seems that the (differing) SDC time-frames have remained unaltered at both airlines. Specifically, Continental allows SDCs within 24 hours; United only allows SDCs within 3 hours of making the request.
All in all, the fee changes are good for everyone but lower tier elites. For GS, Pres Plat, 1K, Plat, Prem Exec, and Golds, SDC is free. For Premiers, Silvers and non-elites it is $75.
EDIT: these fees also apply to unconfirmed standby at the gate on both UA/CO
Don't know if this has been mentioned, but it looks as if United and Continental have aligned their SDC fees (see hyperlinks). Though it seems that the (differing) SDC time-frames have remained unaltered at both airlines. Specifically, Continental allows SDCs within 24 hours; United only allows SDCs within 3 hours of making the request.
All in all, the fee changes are good for everyone but lower tier elites. For GS, Pres Plat, 1K, Plat, Prem Exec, and Golds, SDC is free. For Premiers, Silvers and non-elites it is $75.
EDIT: these fees also apply to unconfirmed standby at the gate on both UA/CO
Last edited by boat9781; May 17, 11 at 6:00 pm Reason: more info, fix

#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO EOF
Programs: UA 1K, VX S
Posts: 4,864
Wow, this is a huge change for 1Ps! Note that this affects the SDC and standby fees.
Those of us on the 1P "bubble" have been stuck with the much-lamented $50 standby and $75 SDC. Finally those days are over ^
Another big change is that UA SDC now allows change of routing when done at the airport! I believe this means we can now officially book connecting flights and change to non-stops.
Those of us on the 1P "bubble" have been stuck with the much-lamented $50 standby and $75 SDC. Finally those days are over ^
Another big change is that UA SDC now allows change of routing when done at the airport! I believe this means we can now officially book connecting flights and change to non-stops.

#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K, BA Silver, AC35k
Posts: 22,416

#4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,713
Finally, I want to give ^ to the merge airline.

#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 69,210
They're getting closer but the CO policy is still the better version IMO. They have the full 24-hour window for changes and it is not limited to trips wholly within the USA. Still, nice to see them getting closer to a single plan.

#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Everywhere but home far too often
Programs: Too many
Posts: 401
This is a good change. Even though I was exempt from the standby fee I thought it was unfair to 1P's. ^ to this.

#7
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: FLL
Programs: AA Gold, DL Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold, too many cruise programs to list
Posts: 655
Mark me another 1P very happy with this change! ^
Now to get the 24-hour window added, too.
Now to get the 24-hour window added, too.


#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chicago, Berkeley
Programs: UA 1P, AA, SPG
Posts: 15
AWESOME! The Standby fee was my single-greatest pet peeve, by far.
I travel mostly on high-frequency routes and I appreciate getting home a couple hours earlier when I have the opportunity. Before the fee started I estimate 25% of my flights were standby. In my book, at least, this single change outweighs all the negatives from the merger.
I travel mostly on high-frequency routes and I appreciate getting home a couple hours earlier when I have the opportunity. Before the fee started I estimate 25% of my flights were standby. In my book, at least, this single change outweighs all the negatives from the merger.

#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 69,210
It should also be noted that the CO rules for SDC are in the fare rules rather than just a published policy. This means that for CO tickets issued prior to today the old rules still apply. Gonna be plenty of confusion on this one I would imagine.

#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Maine
Programs: UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 679
Glad to see this - I always thought it was ridiculous that UA charged 1P's the same standby fee that GM's were charged.

#11
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: AA Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,933
Finally! The old UA policy was the worst for midtier elites, but now we not only get standby but SDC. I'll be 1K again soon so it wouldn't have affected me too much, but I'm glad they changed it as it was unfair to the 1Ps.

#12
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,657
The way I'm reading this is that if you book through CO - CO ticket, you can SDC at 24 hours on United, but on United you can SDC at 3 hours?
Applicable to United and Continental flights - its not exclusive anymore
Applicable to United and Continental flights - its not exclusive anymore

#13
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 1,969
That's tremendous news. Just last Friday I skipped taking an earlier flight because I didn't feel like spending extra cash on a personal trip. ^

#14
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: DL AA UA
Posts: 2,359
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Good job, and finally some good news! Now let's hope the 24 hr. CO model prevails as well.
Good job, and finally some good news! Now let's hope the 24 hr. CO model prevails as well.

#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA EXP/3mm+, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,604
Before you guys all go out of your way to praise this move, allow me to dampen the celebration a little...On CO, SDC was free BUT only possible if CO still had seats for sale in the fare bucket you had originally purchased. I can't tell you how many times I was locked out of being able to do SDC. Think about it...with today's capacity in the market and demand, especially in hub markets, how many cheap fares are still being sold close to day oif departure?
I would much prefer a system where I pay $50 and don't have to worry about fining seats in my original fare bucket. But I guess YMMV.
I would much prefer a system where I pay $50 and don't have to worry about fining seats in my original fare bucket. But I guess YMMV.
