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}
Dec 7, 2017, 5:09 pm
#3031
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ORD & DEN
Programs: UA Premier 1K 1MM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 239
If SDC is not available,
Is it possible to standby on a flight the preceding day, if within the 24-hour window? Or can standby only be on the same calendar day? SIIP, I could not find an answer.
Dec 7, 2017, 5:10 pm
#3032
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: 66,857
You can go to the airport on another day and try -- there is not formal method for doing this but it has, at times, worked for others. But don't be surprise if refused.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 7, 2017 at 5:15 pm Reason: self-merge
Dec 7, 2017, 6:37 pm
#3033
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
And one can never try to SDC via standby with checked baggage, right?
Dec 7, 2017, 6:49 pm
#3034
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: 66,857
Dec 9, 2017, 11:39 am
#3035
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Very timely ... I am in a similar situation (re: checking bags and SDC).
SIN-SFO is a bit cheaper via LAX, but there's a 6hr transit. There are two earlier LAX-SFO flights that would be ideal and wide open (as of now) ... what would be the best way to do SDC in this case?
fwiw, I'm 1K in business class (but should be able to survive E+ from LAX-SFO if it came to that for SDC)
SIN-SFO is a bit cheaper via LAX, but there's a 6hr transit. There are two earlier LAX-SFO flights that would be ideal and wide open (as of now) ... what would be the best way to do SDC in this case?
fwiw, I'm 1K in business class (but should be able to survive E+ from LAX-SFO if it came to that for SDC)
Last edited by malgudi; Dec 9, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Dec 9, 2017, 12:06 pm
#3036
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,464
Very timely ... I am in a similar situation.
SIN-SFO is a bit cheaper via LAX, but there's a 6hr transit. There are two earlier LAX-SFO flights that would be ideal and wide open (as of now) ... what would be the best way to do SDC in this case?
fwiw, I'm 1K in business class (but should be able to survive E+ from LAX-SFO if it came to that for SDC)
SIN-SFO is a bit cheaper via LAX, but there's a 6hr transit. There are two earlier LAX-SFO flights that would be ideal and wide open (as of now) ... what would be the best way to do SDC in this case?
fwiw, I'm 1K in business class (but should be able to survive E+ from LAX-SFO if it came to that for SDC)
Since you will collect / recheck bags at LAX, I would say your best chance is to ask one of the check-in agents about change / standby. You'll have to move them from TBIT to T7 yourself.
That said, I would probably just hang out at the *A lounge and not bother changing, unless getting back to SFO earlier makes a big difference for your next day.
Last edited by fumje; Dec 9, 2017 at 1:04 pm Reason: typo
Dec 9, 2017, 12:51 pm
#3037
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Yes ... it is re: SDC/checked bags.
SIN-LAX arrives in T7, so I won't have move bags. But good point about Star Alliance lounge ... looks like I'll be able to access it without exiting security.
SIN-LAX arrives in T7, so I won't have move bags. But good point about Star Alliance lounge ... looks like I'll be able to access it without exiting security.
Since you quote posts about checking backs, I infer you are checking bags?
Since you will collect / recheck bags at LAX, I would say your best chance is to ask one of the check-in agents about change / standby. You'll have to move them from TBIT to T7 yourself.
That said, I would probably just hang out at the *A lounge and not bother changing, unless getting back to SFO earlier makes a big difference for your next day.
Since you will collect / recheck bags at LAX, I would say your best chance is to ask one of the check-in agents about change / standby. You'll have to move them from TBIT to T7 yourself.
That said, I would probably just hang out at the *A lounge and not bother changing, unless getting back to SFO earlier makes a big difference for your next day.
Last edited by malgudi; Dec 9, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Dec 10, 2017, 10:12 am
#3038
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,617
Went to SDC this morning only to find out my flight had been cancelled and I had been reassigned in Economy. Had to spend 30 minutes on the phone getting that sorted out. The app only seems to be offering me economy options even with some flights having P space. Is this normal? Will the kiosk at the airport be better?
Side note, there must be a lot of pissed off people/elites in IAH. The cancelled flight was a 777 with almost all FC seats taken. I managed to snag one of the last seats on the 757 they seemed to have subbed in to replace it.
Side note, there must be a lot of pissed off people/elites in IAH. The cancelled flight was a 777 with almost all FC seats taken. I managed to snag one of the last seats on the 757 they seemed to have subbed in to replace it.
Dec 10, 2017, 10:25 am
#3039
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,464
Dec 10, 2017, 6:58 pm
#3040
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 4,768
I have a SFO-ORD-EWR-MYR P fare booked because EWR-MYR is not combinable with p.s. for some dumb reason. Will I be able to SDC to SFO-EWR if there's P availability, or are p.s. routes off limits in this scenario?
Dec 10, 2017, 7:06 pm
#3041
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,464
If you want to try, you should focus on the app or website; a human will probably consult with the rate desk, and they will give you an answer you don't like.
Dec 11, 2017, 12:17 pm
#3042
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
I'm confused when you say "EWR-MYR is not combinable with p.s.", as I see the SFO-EWR-MYR one-stop itinerary available for booking on at least a few different dates in the future that I checked.
Dec 11, 2017, 12:19 pm
#3043
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 4,768
Yeah but it books into a flexible fare category even when lower is available (i.e. I could book EWR-MYR in L but SFO-EWR-MYR would book the EWR-MYR leg in M).
Dec 11, 2017, 12:28 pm
#3044
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Unfortunately after your mandatory interaction with CBP you'll be outside security, so you will have to go through security regardless. There is some debate about what the best strategy is for reclearing (stay at TBIT or go to another terminal to use Pre if you have it) here. Once you are inside security, though, you can go from TBIT to T7/8 without clearing security again, though.
If I then wanted to access the Star Alliance Lounge in T4, I would not have to clear security again. This is what I meant.
Dec 11, 2017, 2:56 pm
#3045
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,464
