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}
Aug 2, 2017, 1:19 pm
#2641
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 175
SDC in middle of many-segment itinerary
I am considering a trip with 5 outbound segments (UA-UA-UA-UA-non *A) and 7 inbound segments (non *A, *A, UA, UA, UA, UA, UA). Assuming space in the right class/fare is available, will SDC rules allow changes during the trip on the segments shown in bold?
Ticket will be issued by UA. Most UA segments will likely be G fare. I'm 1K.
Ticket will be issued by UA. Most UA segments will likely be G fare. I'm 1K.
Aug 2, 2017, 1:31 pm
#2642
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
I am considering a trip with 5 outbound segments (UA-UA-UA-UA-non *A) and 7 inbound segments (non *A, *A, UA, UA, UA, UA, UA). Assuming space in the right class/fare is available, will SDC rules allow changes during the trip on the segments shown in bold?
Ticket will be issued by UA. Most UA segments will likely be G fare. I'm 1K.
Ticket will be issued by UA. Most UA segments will likely be G fare. I'm 1K.
BTW, that's quite the itinerary! If you don't mind me asking, where are you flying to? Are those all short layovers between segments? Just curious, since I see you're from DEN and I am also.
^
Aug 2, 2017, 2:45 pm
#2643
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,843
Potential SDC on the first UA segment BUT not until the first 2 non-UA segments have dropped off the record. Certain can try at arrival to the airport of the first UA segment and maybe earlier while in flight.
Getting 5 UA segments to line up for SDC will be a challenge -- again you may be able to standby (if new flight is earlier)
Aug 2, 2017, 7:44 pm
#2644
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 175
Thanks for the feedback. I figured the non-UA segments would make things even more difficult that this itinerary makes them.
The itinerary is ORD-IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG-HGH then PVG-NRT-GUM-HNL-DEN-ORD-YYZ. Most of the connections are crazy tight (some as short as 55 minutes) and I would have to be at PVG either six hours or six days after landing at HGH. Neither of those options are "just right". So, at this point, this is more of an exercise in how complicated one can make this trip.
The itinerary is ORD-IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG-HGH then PVG-NRT-GUM-HNL-DEN-ORD-YYZ. Most of the connections are crazy tight (some as short as 55 minutes) and I would have to be at PVG either six hours or six days after landing at HGH. Neither of those options are "just right". So, at this point, this is more of an exercise in how complicated one can make this trip.
Aug 2, 2017, 8:58 pm
#2645
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: San Fransisco, CA
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 172
Thanks for the feedback. I figured the non-UA segments would make things even more difficult that this itinerary makes them.
The itinerary is ORD-IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG-HGH then PVG-NRT-GUM-HNL-DEN-ORD-YYZ. Most of the connections are crazy tight (some as short as 55 minutes) and I would have to be at PVG either six hours or six days after landing at HGH. Neither of those options are "just right". So, at this point, this is more of an exercise in how complicated one can make this trip.
The itinerary is ORD-IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG-HGH then PVG-NRT-GUM-HNL-DEN-ORD-YYZ. Most of the connections are crazy tight (some as short as 55 minutes) and I would have to be at PVG either six hours or six days after landing at HGH. Neither of those options are "just right". So, at this point, this is more of an exercise in how complicated one can make this trip.
Aug 3, 2017, 8:29 am
#2647
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
The itinerary is ORD-IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG-HGH then PVG-NRT-GUM-HNL-DEN-ORD-YYZ. Most of the connections are crazy tight (some as short as 55 minutes) and I would have to be at PVG either six hours or six days after landing at HGH. Neither of those options are "just right". So, at this point, this is more of an exercise in how complicated one can make this trip.
Aug 3, 2017, 8:33 am
#2648
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Thanks for the feedback. I figured the non-UA segments would make things even more difficult that this itinerary makes them.
The itinerary is ORD-IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG-HGH then PVG-NRT-GUM-HNL-DEN-ORD-YYZ. Most of the connections are crazy tight (some as short as 55 minutes) and I would have to be at PVG either six hours or six days after landing at HGH. Neither of those options are "just right". So, at this point, this is more of an exercise in how complicated one can make this trip.
The itinerary is ORD-IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG-HGH then PVG-NRT-GUM-HNL-DEN-ORD-YYZ. Most of the connections are crazy tight (some as short as 55 minutes) and I would have to be at PVG either six hours or six days after landing at HGH. Neither of those options are "just right". So, at this point, this is more of an exercise in how complicated one can make this trip.
Aug 7, 2017, 9:12 pm
#2649
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,321
I have a 1K friend who recently booked AUS-SFO-YVR in P class.
At SFO, he was given the option, through the app, to change from UA metal to AC metal.
This seems to contradict the wiki.
I bring this up because I'm likely going to want to change from UA marketed AC operated on SFO-YVR onto UA operated, which seems to require an agent. However, I'm wondering if things may have loosened up, given my friend's experience (and I was with him, so I saw the app - it's not a second-hand account).
At SFO, he was given the option, through the app, to change from UA metal to AC metal.
This seems to contradict the wiki.
I bring this up because I'm likely going to want to change from UA marketed AC operated on SFO-YVR onto UA operated, which seems to require an agent. However, I'm wondering if things may have loosened up, given my friend's experience (and I was with him, so I saw the app - it's not a second-hand account).
Aug 8, 2017, 10:26 am
#2650
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: CLE (mostly)
Programs: UA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Mlife Gold, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 823
I have a 1K friend who recently booked AUS-SFO-YVR in P class.
At SFO, he was given the option, through the app, to change from UA metal to AC metal.
This seems to contradict the wiki.
I bring this up because I'm likely going to want to change from UA marketed AC operated on SFO-YVR onto UA operated, which seems to require an agent. However, I'm wondering if things may have loosened up, given my friend's experience (and I was with him, so I saw the app - it's not a second-hand account).
At SFO, he was given the option, through the app, to change from UA metal to AC metal.
This seems to contradict the wiki.
I bring this up because I'm likely going to want to change from UA marketed AC operated on SFO-YVR onto UA operated, which seems to require an agent. However, I'm wondering if things may have loosened up, given my friend's experience (and I was with him, so I saw the app - it's not a second-hand account).
Could be an overbooking or weather situation on his original flight? I've noticed the app has been more proactive about allowing changes that don't normally qualify for SDC in cases of IRROPs
Aug 8, 2017, 4:19 pm
#2651
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1
Can I do the SDC?
I m flying from YUL->LAX( by AC arrive 10:50 am) LAX->SFO (arrive 13:40) SFO(leave next day 11:44 am)-> NRT
The flight that I wanna take is LAX(leave 12:10 pm) -> NRT
i was gonna stay in sf for 20hr and see my friend but I figure out it's better to leave for Japan right the way. So my question is When can i do the SDC, do I have to wait til 11:44 (24h before the departing time of the third flight?) it ll mean I only got 25 mins to change and board? Is it allowed? And physically possible?
Or will i be able to change 24h before my very first flight?
Thanks.
The flight that I wanna take is LAX(leave 12:10 pm) -> NRT
i was gonna stay in sf for 20hr and see my friend but I figure out it's better to leave for Japan right the way. So my question is When can i do the SDC, do I have to wait til 11:44 (24h before the departing time of the third flight?) it ll mean I only got 25 mins to change and board? Is it allowed? And physically possible?
Or will i be able to change 24h before my very first flight?
Thanks.
Aug 10, 2017, 11:04 am
#2652
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Naples - Chicago - Park City
Programs: UA 1K Million Miler, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Amex Plat
Posts: 290
Any recent anecdotal experiences on realistically how long one can SDC day-after-day before the powers that be take notice.
I've strung along an ORD-LGA flight going on 3 days now and am still stuck in Chicago for at least another couple of days.
I've strung along an ORD-LGA flight going on 3 days now and am still stuck in Chicago for at least another couple of days.
Aug 10, 2017, 11:52 am
#2653
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: CLE (mostly)
Programs: UA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Mlife Gold, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 823
Your biggest risk is there suddenly being no flights available to SDC into for your particular fare.
The longest I've read about (somewhere? maybe even in this thread?) was ~2 weeks, and it ended because the pax finally boarded the flight on his/her terms, not because UA blocked an SDC.
Aug 10, 2017, 12:29 pm
#2654
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tri Valley Area Northern CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 579
Personally, I doubt they would "take notice." You're not really breaking any established rule by doing continued SDC.
Your biggest risk is there suddenly being no flights available to SDC into for your particular fare.
The longest I've read about (somewhere? maybe even in this thread?) was ~2 weeks, and it ended because the pax finally boarded the flight on his/her terms, not because UA blocked an SDC.
Your biggest risk is there suddenly being no flights available to SDC into for your particular fare.
The longest I've read about (somewhere? maybe even in this thread?) was ~2 weeks, and it ended because the pax finally boarded the flight on his/her terms, not because UA blocked an SDC.
Sundays are a high traffic day between SFO/LAX, and I was only able to push out the flight to a Sunday 6:01 am flight. All other Sunday flights showed 0 in the booking class. I saw that Monday's 6:00 am flight was available. I called early Sunday morning (before 6 am) and the agent was able to push my flight to the next day right at 6:00 am (23:59 ahead of time).
I've always wondered why there was a 1 minute difference between Sunday and other days.
Aug 10, 2017, 6:14 pm
#2655
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Personally, I doubt they would "take notice." You're not really breaking any established rule by doing continued SDC.
Your biggest risk is there suddenly being no flights available to SDC into for your particular fare.
The longest I've read about (somewhere? maybe even in this thread?) was ~2 weeks, and it ended because the pax finally boarded the flight on his/her terms, not because UA blocked an SDC.
Your biggest risk is there suddenly being no flights available to SDC into for your particular fare.
The longest I've read about (somewhere? maybe even in this thread?) was ~2 weeks, and it ended because the pax finally boarded the flight on his/her terms, not because UA blocked an SDC.