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}
Sep 25, 2017, 8:20 am
#2761
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,645
Just tried. No go! Agent said that he was getting a blank screen as well for options.
Oh well. I don't have any problems with flying as booked. I was hoping to get out of LAX a little earlier to spend more time in the UC at SFO, and to make sure that the promotional 10k miles (for SFO-BOS, promo targeted at BOS based MP accounts) post correctly.
Oh well. I don't have any problems with flying as booked. I was hoping to get out of LAX a little earlier to spend more time in the UC at SFO, and to make sure that the promotional 10k miles (for SFO-BOS, promo targeted at BOS based MP accounts) post correctly.
Sep 25, 2017, 8:31 am
#2762
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
Just tried. No go! Agent said that he was getting a blank screen as well for options.
Oh well. I don't have any problems with flying as booked. I was hoping to get out of LAX a little earlier to spend more time in the UC at SFO, and to make sure that the promotional 10k miles (for SFO-BOS, promo targeted at BOS based MP accounts)post correctly.
Oh well. I don't have any problems with flying as booked. I was hoping to get out of LAX a little earlier to spend more time in the UC at SFO, and to make sure that the promotional 10k miles (for SFO-BOS, promo targeted at BOS based MP accounts)post correctly.
Maybe try getting to LAX and standby for an earlier LAX-SFO. Now I see why you’re doing it, it would be worth it.
Sep 25, 2017, 9:06 am
#2763
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
Just tried. No go! Agent said that he was getting a blank screen as well for options.
Oh well. I don't have any problems with flying as booked. I was hoping to get out of LAX a little earlier to spend more time in the UC at SFO, and to make sure that the promotional 10k miles (for SFO-BOS, promo targeted at BOS based MP accounts) post correctly.
Oh well. I don't have any problems with flying as booked. I was hoping to get out of LAX a little earlier to spend more time in the UC at SFO, and to make sure that the promotional 10k miles (for SFO-BOS, promo targeted at BOS based MP accounts) post correctly.
Sep 25, 2017, 10:47 am
#2764
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,645
I just tried to have the agents at the UC at LAX take a look at it. They wouldn't even look at it. "That's not how it works" was the response I received.
Well, if all else fails, I'll contact customer service to see if they can manually post the promo miles. There's nothing in the promo rules prohibiting connections or "direct" flights. I have screenshots of the confirmation page that show LAX-SFO-BOS with seat assignments so hopefully they see it the way I do!
Well, if all else fails, I'll contact customer service to see if they can manually post the promo miles. There's nothing in the promo rules prohibiting connections or "direct" flights. I have screenshots of the confirmation page that show LAX-SFO-BOS with seat assignments so hopefully they see it the way I do!
Last edited by diburning; Sep 25, 2017 at 12:35 pm
Sep 25, 2017, 1:50 pm
#2765
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
I just tried to have the agents at the UC at LAX take a look at it. They wouldn't even look at it. "That's not how it works" was the response I received.
Well, if all else fails, I'll contact customer service to see if they can manually post the promo miles. There's nothing in the promo rules prohibiting connections or "direct" flights. I have screenshots of the confirmation page that show LAX-SFO-BOS with seat assignments so hopefully they see it the way I do!
Well, if all else fails, I'll contact customer service to see if they can manually post the promo miles. There's nothing in the promo rules prohibiting connections or "direct" flights. I have screenshots of the confirmation page that show LAX-SFO-BOS with seat assignments so hopefully they see it the way I do!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...credit-12.html
Sep 25, 2017, 7:35 pm
#2766
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LAS
Programs: 3 MMer
Posts: 458
I have an itin of which the 4th seg is IAH-LAS.
I see G-9 (which is what I purchased) IAH-SFO-LAS for tomorrow. Res told me on two dif calls that a re-fare will be req for a fee dif of $555.00.
I thought that any change to flights with the same fare, even an added connection, would be O.K., as long as the FARE was the same as purchased. I don't get it?
I see G-9 (which is what I purchased) IAH-SFO-LAS for tomorrow. Res told me on two dif calls that a re-fare will be req for a fee dif of $555.00.
I thought that any change to flights with the same fare, even an added connection, would be O.K., as long as the FARE was the same as purchased. I don't get it?
Sep 25, 2017, 7:40 pm
#2767
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,758
I have an itin of which the 4th seg is IAH-LAS.
I see G-9 (which is what I purchased) IAH-SFO-LAS for tomorrow. Res told me on two dif calls that a re-fare will be req for a fee dif of $555.00.
I thought that any change to flights with the same fare, even an added connection, would be O.K., as long as the FARE was the same as purchased. I don't get it?
I see G-9 (which is what I purchased) IAH-SFO-LAS for tomorrow. Res told me on two dif calls that a re-fare will be req for a fee dif of $555.00.
I thought that any change to flights with the same fare, even an added connection, would be O.K., as long as the FARE was the same as purchased. I don't get it?
Sep 25, 2017, 7:47 pm
#2768
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
I have an itin of which the 4th seg is IAH-LAS.
I see G-9 (which is what I purchased) IAH-SFO-LAS for tomorrow. Res told me on two dif calls that a re-fare will be req for a fee dif of $555.00.
I thought that any change to flights with the same fare, even an added connection, would be O.K., as long as the FARE was the same as purchased. I don't get it?
I see G-9 (which is what I purchased) IAH-SFO-LAS for tomorrow. Res told me on two dif calls that a re-fare will be req for a fee dif of $555.00.
I thought that any change to flights with the same fare, even an added connection, would be O.K., as long as the FARE was the same as purchased. I don't get it?
Sep 25, 2017, 7:50 pm
#2769
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,470
I have an itin of which the 4th seg is IAH-LAS.
I see G-9 (which is what I purchased) IAH-SFO-LAS for tomorrow. Res told me on two dif calls that a re-fare will be req for a fee dif of $555.00.
I thought that any change to flights with the same fare, even an added connection, would be O.K., as long as the FARE was the same as purchased. I don't get it?
I see G-9 (which is what I purchased) IAH-SFO-LAS for tomorrow. Res told me on two dif calls that a re-fare will be req for a fee dif of $555.00.
I thought that any change to flights with the same fare, even an added connection, would be O.K., as long as the FARE was the same as purchased. I don't get it?
Sep 25, 2017, 9:44 pm
#2770
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Madrid
Programs: IB+ Emerald (Platino), M&M Senator (Gold), Meliá Rewards Platino, NH Platinum
Posts: 436
Hey. I am not familiar with UA break fares (if it´s the case).
In this case, any of the segments would allow an SDC (I especially refer to MEX-IAH and IAH-ORD parts) as usual? Thanks
1. MEX-IAH (Oct 19th - evening)
2. IAH-ORD (Oct 20th- afternoon)
3. ORD-FLL (Nov 7th)
All are separate flights (in P) within the same booking
In this case, any of the segments would allow an SDC (I especially refer to MEX-IAH and IAH-ORD parts) as usual? Thanks
1. MEX-IAH (Oct 19th - evening)
2. IAH-ORD (Oct 20th- afternoon)
3. ORD-FLL (Nov 7th)
All are separate flights (in P) within the same booking
Last edited by Marcin83; Sep 26, 2017 at 7:26 am
Sep 26, 2017, 7:19 am
#2771
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BWI
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 36
Hey all - has anyone had any luck this year doing SDC from ZFV to PHL? E.g.: ZFV-EWR-SFO --> PHL-SFO. Pre-2017, I had 100% success in getting phone agents to do that sort of SDC. This year, I've had no luck (0 for 2 on attempts so far, even with HUCA with 10 agents), even with wide open fare class availability...not sure what has changed.
Sep 27, 2017, 9:25 am
#2772
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SHA, NYC
Programs: UA
Posts: 7
UA Gold
Oct3 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HKG-HGH(KA).
Can I request a SDC to Oct2 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HGH or EWR-PVG
because UA does not operate SFO-HGH on Oct3????
How much chance of success if I go directly to EWR and ask agent for change on Oct2? or better to speak to representative by phone before?
Oct3 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HKG-HGH(KA).
Can I request a SDC to Oct2 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HGH or EWR-PVG
because UA does not operate SFO-HGH on Oct3????
How much chance of success if I go directly to EWR and ask agent for change on Oct2? or better to speak to representative by phone before?
Sep 27, 2017, 10:04 am
#2773
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
UA Gold
Oct3 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HKG-HGH(KA).
Can I request a SDC to Oct2 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HGH or EWR-PVG
because UA does not operate SFO-HGH on Oct3????
How much chance of success if I go directly to EWR and ask agent for change on Oct2? or better to speak to representative by phone before?
Oct3 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HKG-HGH(KA).
Can I request a SDC to Oct2 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HGH or EWR-PVG
because UA does not operate SFO-HGH on Oct3????
How much chance of success if I go directly to EWR and ask agent for change on Oct2? or better to speak to representative by phone before?
Sep 27, 2017, 12:03 pm
#2774
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LAS
Programs: 3 MMer
Posts: 458
I have always had success with SDC's, but as of late, NOT SO!
On the web it used to be a piece-o-cake, but now I always see a $200.00 change fee popping up. A few days ago I was told an additional fee of $555.00 would be due to a re-fare from a non-stop IAH-LAS to IAH-SFO-LAS - all "G"! After the second attempt and 30+ mins of music I gave up.
Sat., I have a ORD-DEN-LAS that I want to change to ORD-LAS non-stop, and may possibly get the run-around again as it seems that half of the agents don't know how to do this and need to call the "Rate Desk" which is a coin flip since something seems to get lost during the musical interlude!
Under the "General Baseline Rules" listed above --- "Routing can be changed (addition, deletion, or change of connection points) but the routing rules of the original fare usually apply."
This is where I am being told the additional fees come into play, and how do I know what the original routing rules are, for real? ... it actually gets quite frustrating not crossing the line with res, copping an attitude, as to what I am allowed to do, mainly because I frankly don't know why a "G" can't be changed to a "G" to add or remove a segment, w/i T-24.
Any advice would be appreciated!
On the web it used to be a piece-o-cake, but now I always see a $200.00 change fee popping up. A few days ago I was told an additional fee of $555.00 would be due to a re-fare from a non-stop IAH-LAS to IAH-SFO-LAS - all "G"! After the second attempt and 30+ mins of music I gave up.
Sat., I have a ORD-DEN-LAS that I want to change to ORD-LAS non-stop, and may possibly get the run-around again as it seems that half of the agents don't know how to do this and need to call the "Rate Desk" which is a coin flip since something seems to get lost during the musical interlude!
Under the "General Baseline Rules" listed above --- "Routing can be changed (addition, deletion, or change of connection points) but the routing rules of the original fare usually apply."
This is where I am being told the additional fees come into play, and how do I know what the original routing rules are, for real? ... it actually gets quite frustrating not crossing the line with res, copping an attitude, as to what I am allowed to do, mainly because I frankly don't know why a "G" can't be changed to a "G" to add or remove a segment, w/i T-24.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Sep 27, 2017, 1:13 pm
#2775
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
UA Gold
Oct3 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HKG-HGH(KA).
Can I request a SDC to Oct2 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HGH or EWR-PVG
because UA does not operate SFO-HGH on Oct3????
How much chance of success if I go directly to EWR and ask agent for change on Oct2? or better to speak to representative by phone before?
Oct3 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HKG-HGH(KA).
Can I request a SDC to Oct2 EWR(UA637)-SFO-HGH or EWR-PVG
because UA does not operate SFO-HGH on Oct3????
How much chance of success if I go directly to EWR and ask agent for change on Oct2? or better to speak to representative by phone before?
1) You're trying to move EWR-SFO up by exactly 24 hours. If you were on an earlier EWR-SFO flight on Oct 3 (e.g., the 6am) then this would be easier because your SDC window would open sooner.
2) You have a non-UA flight on your itinerary, so you'll need an agent to override. Some people have had success.
Not sure what your best bet is, the combination of the two means you probably won't have success either on the phone, or in person.