Jan 4, 2015, 2:01 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This wiki was created to distill SDC (and related 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, 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 currently 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: 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):
Please note that the United.com “change flight” link before checking in within T-24, is broken. The website may not show all available options and will often attempt to collect the change fee rather than the SDC fee (if any).
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 = officially permitted and possible using any method
A = not permitted but perhaps 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.
Note -- as of 11/27/2017: A datapoint indicates that UA may have updated its GG rule regarding leveling out to state the following:
Standby
You may stand by if seats are not available in the purchased fare class. In these cases, the same-day change fee will apply, but will not be charged unless you are assigned a seat on your alternate flight. Changes in routing are not allowed when standing by. Standby may be requested on the day of departure at an airport kiosk or with a United representative at the airport. Once you are added to the flight standby list, you can check your real-time standby status at united.com/flightstatus or on your mobile device at mobile.united.com/info.
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I stand by for my desired flight for free?
No. The only time you may standby for free is when the fare does not have any penalties for making changes, or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity.
Can I pay the same-day change discount fee with cash?
Cash will only be accepted by a United airport representative when the change is available to be confirmed, not for standby travel.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
Previous threads:
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply, 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 currently 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: 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.
- Only applies to UA/UX operated flights, domestic or international. Changing from a non-UA operated to UA operated may be possible.
- 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 Members and Silvers - the fee 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. Once in-route, fees for an earlier connecting flight may be waived per GG SDC Line 118.
- 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.
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 mobile app
- Kiosk
- Phone
- On united.com, right now only the "Search Other Flight Options" button during On-Line Check-In (OLCI) works. This has spotty availability, particularly if the change would involve paying an additional fare due to fare bucket non-availability.
- 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)
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 = officially permitted and possible using any method
A = not permitted but perhaps 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 (see the old S*FAR/STANDBY): A
- Change destination to a co-terminal: 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: Y
- Change from a GPU-upgraded flight into J/F 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
- Change at origin airport after tendering a checked bag: N
- Change at layover airport when a bag has been checked: N
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.
Note -- as of 11/27/2017: A datapoint indicates that UA may have updated its GG rule regarding leveling out to state the following:
Code:
EVERYDAY AWARD AND REVENUE BUCKETS ARE TO LEVEL OUT WITHIN 2H OF DEPARTURE
You may stand by if seats are not available in the purchased fare class. In these cases, the same-day change fee will apply, but will not be charged unless you are assigned a seat on your alternate flight. Changes in routing are not allowed when standing by. Standby may be requested on the day of departure at an airport kiosk or with a United representative at the airport. Once you are added to the flight standby list, you can check your real-time standby status at united.com/flightstatus or on your mobile device at mobile.united.com/info.
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I stand by for my desired flight for free?
No. The only time you may standby for free is when the fare does not have any penalties for making changes, or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity.
Can I pay the same-day change discount fee with cash?
Cash will only be accepted by a United airport representative when the change is available to be confirmed, not for standby travel.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
Previous threads:
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions (with Wiki) {Archive}
Jul 24, 2016, 3:40 pm
#1501
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 380
UAs rules on this are quite clear - SDC eligibility is only on all UA-operated itineraries. By the rules, this is absolutely not permissible - to snag R space or for any other reason. App, kiosk and website will not bring up options.
An agent may do this for you, but it would be an above and beyond thing. Note there is also a possibility of this mucking up the ANA portion - someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe this would require the ticket to be re-issued and ANA would need to give their permission to accept you on their flight again in whatever class you are booked in. May not be an issue, or may be that close to departure.
An agent may do this for you, but it would be an above and beyond thing. Note there is also a possibility of this mucking up the ANA portion - someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe this would require the ticket to be re-issued and ANA would need to give their permission to accept you on their flight again in whatever class you are booked in. May not be an issue, or may be that close to departure.
Jul 24, 2016, 3:53 pm
#1502
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,003
That's a good question, and I don't think there's a well-defined policy answer to that. I think you might have a decent shot keeping the second segment in A, but as it seems like the website managed to process part of the coupon into A, I'm really not sure what the agents will see. (If the whole thing were in A it will generally allow you to SDC into A for that coupon.)
Jul 25, 2016, 1:56 am
#1503
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,251
Okay that's conceptually right but the terminology "two one-ways" (or "two one way tickets") is what I'm hanging up on. I think the better way to describe it is "end-on-end ticketing" of two separate fares. It's still a single itinerary and a single ticket. It's just not a through-fare.
And to bring this back to SDC, there's no published rule against SDC'ing a broken fare, the phone agents just can't do it without an override.
And to bring this back to SDC, there's no published rule against SDC'ing a broken fare, the phone agents just can't do it without an override.
Jul 25, 2016, 6:35 am
#1504
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 951
I'm wondering if you have advice (outside of be nice - which I thought I was), of what a customer should say to the supervisor to persuade them to allow this. Besides, it's a broken fare - they wanted add collect - I really had nothing to reply to this besides can you do an exception/override. Where is it published that broken fares cannot be SDC?
Appreciate the advice for myself and future travelers who may encounter this issue.
(and by the way, United instead of giving me the SDC, I ended up getting an operational upgrade at the airport to global first due to irrops and flying my desired flight anyway, without paying the nearly $5K United wanted on the phone).
Jul 25, 2016, 7:27 am
#1505
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 538
same day standby DCA to IAD
Was trying to do a same day stand by changing from a DCA to IAD flight--but was told there would be a $200 change fee. I had thought the DC airports were co-terminals. Is it an absolute rule that changes must be from same airport--or are there some circumstances that allow airport change?
Jul 25, 2016, 7:35 am
#1506
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,889
I don't think it needs to be published.
Most fares you book will be in the same fare class all the way, so you go A-B-C on fare X. When you have a fare that is broken, that is going A-B on fare X and B-C on fare Y. The latter is not a ticket that is fared A-C, so of course, SDC would not know to SDC you on the full A-C city pair.
Most fares you book will be in the same fare class all the way, so you go A-B-C on fare X. When you have a fare that is broken, that is going A-B on fare X and B-C on fare Y. The latter is not a ticket that is fared A-C, so of course, SDC would not know to SDC you on the full A-C city pair.
Jul 25, 2016, 7:53 am
#1507
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
I'm wondering if you have advice (outside of be nice - which I thought I was), of what a customer should say to the supervisor to persuade them to allow this. Besides, it's a broken fare - they wanted add collect - I really had nothing to reply to this besides can you do an exception/override.
I don't think it needs to be published.
Most fares you book will be in the same fare class all the way, so you go A-B-C on fare X. When you have a fare that is broken, that is going A-B on fare X and B-C on fare Y. The latter is not a ticket that is fared A-C, so of course, SDC would not know to SDC you on the full A-C city pair.
Most fares you book will be in the same fare class all the way, so you go A-B-C on fare X. When you have a fare that is broken, that is going A-B on fare X and B-C on fare Y. The latter is not a ticket that is fared A-C, so of course, SDC would not know to SDC you on the full A-C city pair.
ETA: On reflection, I suppose they could justify the refusal on the ground you're violating routing restrictions, but that is typically not enforced in the SDC context. As with all else UA, so much depends on whether you get a helpful agent.
Last edited by Kacee; Jul 25, 2016 at 8:02 am
Jul 25, 2016, 8:05 am
#1508
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Posts: 2,049
I've been allowed to change airports in the Washington area (BWI as well as DCA and IAD) on several different airlines in the past, but only due to major schedule changes (in advance) or flight interruptions or cancellations. Prices for flights to and from the three airports vary, sometimes very significantly, and airlines don't want passengers to purchase the least expensive tickets and then change to their preferred airport without additional payment.
Jul 25, 2016, 8:08 am
#1509
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Legacy UA changed the definition of co-terminal a long time ago. They had co-terminals that are valid for pricing round-trips and a separate category (it was multi-terminal in old UA terminology) that is valid for standby. I can't find anything on UA.com about standby and changing airports. In the SDC FAQ they are very specific that you can't change airports - "Changes are only available for the exact origin and destination airport. Connection points may be changed provided the new routing is permitted by the fare purchased."
Jul 25, 2016, 8:08 am
#1510
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
Check your ticket's fare rules. The rules on many discounted fares are airport specific. Co-terminals does not mean that the same ticket is good to any airport in the area, only the fare rules will tell you the rules of the fare. If I recall correctly, if they have a "D" or an "I" in the fare basis, that is a red flag that they are fares for a specific airport in the WAS area. In either case, a change fee may apply as well as a potential fare difference.
Jul 25, 2016, 8:12 am
#1511
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Doesn't matter if they're co-terminals, UA's standby rules don't allow changes to airport of origin or destination. If you do it, it's no longer a standby, it's a ticket change.
A very accommodating agent may let you do it, but it's contrary to the rules.
A very accommodating agent may let you do it, but it's contrary to the rules.
Jul 25, 2016, 8:17 am
#1512
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,251
if you're referring to the UA Same Day flight Change (SDC) then what you were told was correct, co-terminals does not apply to SDC even for top tier
note the rules here, particularly the faq
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...daychange.aspx
however as a plat with ua and repeated (10+) huacas i managed to find one agent who let me change from ewr to lga but solely because there was my fare class available, not because i just wanted to fly outta lga (although lga was much closer). this is not typical and based solely on the goodwill of the agent.
go to the airport, they always have more latitude than call center.
i'm curious, how does one get a broken fare? travel agent? online travel agency such as kayak's "hacker fare"? is it possible off ua.com?
note the rules here, particularly the faq
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...daychange.aspx
Can I change my departure or arrival airport?
If you wish to change the departure or arrival airport, the change fee and any applicable fare difference associated with the fare will apply.
If you wish to change the departure or arrival airport, the change fee and any applicable fare difference associated with the fare will apply.
go to the airport, they always have more latitude than call center.
i'm curious, how does one get a broken fare? travel agent? online travel agency such as kayak's "hacker fare"? is it possible off ua.com?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 25, 2016 at 11:37 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Jul 25, 2016, 8:24 am
#1513
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Jul 25, 2016, 8:59 am
#1514
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 951
Purchased on united.com as a round trip. I had no clue it was any different than any other trip with a connection.
Jul 25, 2016, 9:26 am
#1515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,414
Any GDS pricing tool (including ua.com) will price an itinerary with a fare break if it's cheaper than the through fare. It is quite frequently the same fare class on both sides of the break, and so it can be hard to notice if you are sold this. I would definitely sell the agent a line about being confused what a fare break is, and "I just bought a ticket from A to B" - should engender sympathy with a good agent.