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}
Jun 26, 2018, 4:01 pm
#3991
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
I am not sure if I should post this here or in the Global Services Benefits thread. Tomorrow, leaving SMF to ATL, leaving at 6:07 am with a 3.5 hour connection in SFO, fare class K. I was looking to take a later flight but there are no other flights with K class available. There was a later SMF/SFO flgiht flight leaving at 8:44 am that would makes the same connection. If you looked at SMF/SFO only, it showed K class available. However, if you priced out SMF/SFO/ATL, the lowest fare class was S. So, in theory, I shouldn't be able to do a SDC to the later SMF/SFO flight.
I called in anyway and asked the GS agent if I can take the later SMF/SFO flight. She said it was OK and proceeded to make the change. After ticketing the change, I asked if there was anything later than 8:44 am. The agent said there was a 1:29 pm connection via Denver. A few minutes earlier, when checking for SDC options, I saw the lowest fare class for that connection was "W". The agent went ahead with the change and I thanked her for her help.
After checking in, I went online to check my reservation's fare class. It is now "Q"! The only plausible explanation is the agent upgraded my fare class to make this change since I a GS. I will be testing this theory on my return trip (which I will also try to make a SDC).
I called in anyway and asked the GS agent if I can take the later SMF/SFO flight. She said it was OK and proceeded to make the change. After ticketing the change, I asked if there was anything later than 8:44 am. The agent said there was a 1:29 pm connection via Denver. A few minutes earlier, when checking for SDC options, I saw the lowest fare class for that connection was "W". The agent went ahead with the change and I thanked her for her help.
After checking in, I went online to check my reservation's fare class. It is now "Q"! The only plausible explanation is the agent upgraded my fare class to make this change since I a GS. I will be testing this theory on my return trip (which I will also try to make a SDC).
Jun 26, 2018, 8:10 pm
#3992
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 572
Looking for advice:
3rd week of July currently on HNL-LAX-ORD-TPA on S Fare, RPU applied two months ago not cleared yet (now shows P9 PN7 R0)
I want to change to HNL-IAD-TPA shows P9 PN0 (used to be P0, shows 9 sold out of 30 seats in front and 30 Eco + seats are occupied in the back) shows as V fare in economy for sale on UA.
I'd love to be able to somehow move to this flight (IAD with lie flat) and be able to clear RPU, I called UA and it only costs me $84 to upfare from S to V on HNL-LAX-ORD-TPA segments.
What should I do (I am Gold), should I upfare now to V and wait till 24 hours before the flight and SDC to IAD (Economy looks 90% full on IAD flight and I don't know if V fare will be available at 24 h before flight), or should I just wait more, please help. Any other suggestions, more than welcome.
Please keep in mind my RPU on TPA-LAX-ORD-TPA flight not cleared on any segment yet and I dont have any more RPU. It would also cost 200 + 90.32 = $292.32 to change it now over the phone.
3rd week of July currently on HNL-LAX-ORD-TPA on S Fare, RPU applied two months ago not cleared yet (now shows P9 PN7 R0)
I want to change to HNL-IAD-TPA shows P9 PN0 (used to be P0, shows 9 sold out of 30 seats in front and 30 Eco + seats are occupied in the back) shows as V fare in economy for sale on UA.
I'd love to be able to somehow move to this flight (IAD with lie flat) and be able to clear RPU, I called UA and it only costs me $84 to upfare from S to V on HNL-LAX-ORD-TPA segments.
What should I do (I am Gold), should I upfare now to V and wait till 24 hours before the flight and SDC to IAD (Economy looks 90% full on IAD flight and I don't know if V fare will be available at 24 h before flight), or should I just wait more, please help. Any other suggestions, more than welcome.
Please keep in mind my RPU on TPA-LAX-ORD-TPA flight not cleared on any segment yet and I dont have any more RPU. It would also cost 200 + 90.32 = $292.32 to change it now over the phone.
Last edited by UAFAM; Jun 26, 2018 at 10:44 pm
Jun 26, 2018, 11:33 pm
#3993
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,404
What should I do (I am Gold), should I upfare now to V and wait till 24 hours before the flight and SDC to IAD (Economy looks 90% full on IAD flight and I don't know if V fare will be available at 24 h before flight), or should I just wait more, please help. Any other suggestions, more than welcome.
There are very few advance purchase requirements in the HNL-TPA market. If there is V space available at T-24, it will probably cost exactly the same to buy up then, as part of the SDC, as it would to buy up in advance. If not, you'll have saved yourself the pointless up-fare.
You've got an additional complication; as a Gold, I assume this is a gifted RPU, and if the instrument gets returned as part of the change, which is normal, it may be difficult to get it reapplied unless the sponsor is available to authorize it. And, it's against policy to allow you to create a new waitlist request within 24 hours of departure (although some agents may be willing to bend the rules). If R space is present, you don't need to waitlist and therefore you would be fine -- again, assuming you can get the RPU authorized.
Jun 27, 2018, 8:06 am
#3994
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
I have to spend around $250 (fare) or so by the end of July for the current promotion for some extra award miles. I'm thinking about booking on a Saturday morning, and booking a P ticket from DTW and seeing what I can do - my thought is that a Saturday morning is usually the quietest time for elites. Here's a couple options (one way):
$200 (not enough dollars) - DTW-ORD - Maybe I could get DTW-DEN/IAH/EWR-(ORD)? and go somewhere from a hub? Easy enough to get back to DTW though, or stay in ORD if needed.
$312 (just enough fare) - DTW-ORD-EWR - Leaning towards this, the DTW-ORD is at 6am, and being at ORD and having to get to EWR maybe opens up some more exotic routes (maybe) - ORD-LAX/SFO/PDX/SEA-EWR would be nice.
$400+ - west coast - I like being around LAX, but now the $$$ amount is starting to really get up there.
I could use an award ticket to get back home for sunday night, and change it around depending on what happens. But if I'm in P class, maybe inventory is a bit tighter then economy classes, which I'm guessing would be pretty open.I haven't flown in over a month and I'm itching to, and figured maybe one of these would give me something to look forward to as well as help finish that promotion and really see what I could end up doing.
Usually I'm flying to non-hubs, so SDC routing/changes are usually pretty limited, and the usual time crunch. Anyone have any thoughts, other then it's a waste of money?
$200 (not enough dollars) - DTW-ORD - Maybe I could get DTW-DEN/IAH/EWR-(ORD)? and go somewhere from a hub? Easy enough to get back to DTW though, or stay in ORD if needed.
$312 (just enough fare) - DTW-ORD-EWR - Leaning towards this, the DTW-ORD is at 6am, and being at ORD and having to get to EWR maybe opens up some more exotic routes (maybe) - ORD-LAX/SFO/PDX/SEA-EWR would be nice.
$400+ - west coast - I like being around LAX, but now the $$$ amount is starting to really get up there.
I could use an award ticket to get back home for sunday night, and change it around depending on what happens. But if I'm in P class, maybe inventory is a bit tighter then economy classes, which I'm guessing would be pretty open.I haven't flown in over a month and I'm itching to, and figured maybe one of these would give me something to look forward to as well as help finish that promotion and really see what I could end up doing.
Usually I'm flying to non-hubs, so SDC routing/changes are usually pretty limited, and the usual time crunch. Anyone have any thoughts, other then it's a waste of money?
Jun 27, 2018, 8:52 am
#3995
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,404
Yes: Please don't do this on a P fare. The more people who do so, the sooner UA is likely to react in a way that's bad for everyone. Doing it in discount Y is less of an issue, IMO. On a P fare, you're denying UA the opportunity to sell TODs, and you know how much they love the TOD revenue...
Jun 27, 2018, 9:42 am
#3996
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, SPG Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 1,970
Yes: Please don't do this on a P fare. The more people who do so, the sooner UA is likely to react in a way that's bad for everyone. Doing it in discount Y is less of an issue, IMO. On a P fare, you're denying UA the opportunity to sell TODs, and you know how much they love the TOD revenue...
Jun 27, 2018, 11:11 am
#3997
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Yes: Please don't do this on a P fare. The more people who do so, the sooner UA is likely to react in a way that's bad for everyone. Doing it in discount Y is less of an issue, IMO. On a P fare, you're denying UA the opportunity to sell TODs, and you know how much they love the TOD revenue...
I get that, but when you need it probably differs from when I "need" it (I put in quotes because we should all be prepared to fly what we bought afterall) and when other people would use it. I usually can't take advantage of SDCs because I have to be somewhere at a certain time, so the only time I can is when, if you want to call it, would be joyriding. But then I can start getting into arguments that booking connections at only a minimal increase, just to fly some more, is joyriding too, and that's the same argument as above.
Jun 27, 2018, 11:20 am
#3998
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Programs: UA 1K, UA .53 MM, Marriott Gold, Nexus, GE, TSA Pre, Hertz PC
Posts: 581
Couldn't the argument be made that a last minute walkup Y fare from A-B is generally going to cost more then a TOD offer? The only reason I would consider this is because a Saturday morning is probably the quietest times to fly. Way back when I was a silver, I cleared DEN-IAH on a saturday morning (my first CPU ever). Well I don't have a crystal ball, I get the feeling there will be lots of empty seats all around to non-vacation destinations.
I agree that free SDC is one of the best Elite perks, and is certainly one of the biggest perks from Silver to Gold....but discouraging people to use it because they think it will force United to take it away smells like fear mongering.
The fact that one does not need to be a "expert flyer" to use this benefit gives me the impression that the SDC perk is not the forbidden fruit everyone on FT makes it out to be. By the same logic, UA elites should stop taking advantage of the Premium Cabin Saver Award Waitlist perk because United might take it away in the future....
Jun 27, 2018, 11:52 am
#3999
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,404
As others have frequently noted, it is quite possible that by allowing PAX to SDC to other flights, United likely avoids VDB situations on oversold routes. If I'm on ORD-SFO with 0 chance of my upgrade clearing, and the flight is oversold, is it not to my benefit and United's if I SDC to ORD-CVG-SFO? Sure I get more PQM's, but UA also avoids an oversell situation.
The fact that one does not need to be a "expert flyer" to use this benefit gives me the impression that the SDC perk is not the forbidden fruit everyone on FT makes it out to be. By the same logic, UA elites should stop taking advantage of the Premium Cabin Saver Award Waitlist perk because United might take it away in the future....
I use SDC regularly. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't SDC, or that it requires some expert skill level or something. It's a great perk, which is why I hope it can be preserved for everyone.
All I'm saying is that the current SDC algorithm is clearly broken. UA has not bothered to fix it yet. When (not if) they do fix it, my hope is that it will be no more customer unfriendly than the published policy is today.
According to the published SDC policy, all of these things that are being discussed should result in paying a fare difference.
The official policy only allows flight combinations that are within the original fare rules. In other words, while the app might allow someone to turn ORD-DTW into ORD-SFO-DTW, the fare rules do not.
The more people who abuse the SDC perk, the faster this will be fixed, and the more likely it is that the fix will be harsher than what the current rules allow.
Jun 27, 2018, 1:05 pm
#4000
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
Not taking advantage of the widely published SDC benefit due to the unfounded fears of a handful of FT members seems silly. What concrete evidence have we seen that using the SDC feature in the app is going to result in the benefit being taken away? As others have frequently noted, it is quite possible that by allowing PAX to SDC to other flights, United likely avoids VDB situations on oversold routes. If I'm on ORD-SFO with 0 chance of my upgrade clearing, and the flight is oversold, is it not to my benefit and United's if I SDC to ORD-CVG-SFO? Sure I get more PQM's, but UA also avoids an oversell situation.
I agree that free SDC is one of the best Elite perks, and is certainly one of the biggest perks from Silver to Gold....but discouraging people to use it because they think it will force United to take it away smells like fear mongering.
The fact that one does not need to be a "expert flyer" to use this benefit gives me the impression that the SDC perk is not the forbidden fruit everyone on FT makes it out to be. By the same logic, UA elites should stop taking advantage of the Premium Cabin Saver Award Waitlist perk because United might take it away in the future....
I agree that free SDC is one of the best Elite perks, and is certainly one of the biggest perks from Silver to Gold....but discouraging people to use it because they think it will force United to take it away smells like fear mongering.
The fact that one does not need to be a "expert flyer" to use this benefit gives me the impression that the SDC perk is not the forbidden fruit everyone on FT makes it out to be. By the same logic, UA elites should stop taking advantage of the Premium Cabin Saver Award Waitlist perk because United might take it away in the future....
Sure. But UA has a lot more Y inventory to sell than they do F inventory, and they have a lot more levers to pull when it comes to inventory in Y.
UA publishes a table of allowable connections on most fares, and a maximum permitted mileage on others. Nobody's suggesting you shouldn't maximize your value within those rules.
Not abusing the widely publicized SDC benefit seems like common sense and a win for everyone.
None yet, and we won't until it happens. There's plenty of indirect evidence that they're tinkering with this; the available routings come and go.
You're reading way too much into an IT glitch. Random SDC combinations have nothing to do with whether or not the flight is oversold. And I certainly wouldn't suggest that ORD-CVG-SFO in Y to try to achieve an upgrade is abuse.
Again, there's a difference between use and abuse. It's blurry, and people may see it differently, but criss-crossing the country on a DTW-ORD P fare is abuse. I wouldn't say the same thing about doing it on a K fare, although some people probably would (absent IRROPS, anyway).
Oh, come on now.
I use SDC regularly. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't SDC, or that it requires some expert skill level or something. It's a great perk, which is why I hope it can be preserved for everyone.
All I'm saying is that the current SDC algorithm is clearly broken. UA has not bothered to fix it yet. When (not if) they do fix it, my hope is that it will be no more customer unfriendly than the published policy is today.
According to the published SDC policy, all of these things that are being discussed should result in paying a fare difference.
The official policy only allows flight combinations that are within the original fare rules. In other words, while the app might allow someone to turn ORD-DTW into ORD-SFO-DTW, the fare rules do not.
The more people who abuse the SDC perk, the faster this will be fixed, and the more likely it is that the fix will be harsher than what the current rules allow.
UA publishes a table of allowable connections on most fares, and a maximum permitted mileage on others. Nobody's suggesting you shouldn't maximize your value within those rules.
Not abusing the widely publicized SDC benefit seems like common sense and a win for everyone.
None yet, and we won't until it happens. There's plenty of indirect evidence that they're tinkering with this; the available routings come and go.
You're reading way too much into an IT glitch. Random SDC combinations have nothing to do with whether or not the flight is oversold. And I certainly wouldn't suggest that ORD-CVG-SFO in Y to try to achieve an upgrade is abuse.
Again, there's a difference between use and abuse. It's blurry, and people may see it differently, but criss-crossing the country on a DTW-ORD P fare is abuse. I wouldn't say the same thing about doing it on a K fare, although some people probably would (absent IRROPS, anyway).
Oh, come on now.
I use SDC regularly. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't SDC, or that it requires some expert skill level or something. It's a great perk, which is why I hope it can be preserved for everyone.
All I'm saying is that the current SDC algorithm is clearly broken. UA has not bothered to fix it yet. When (not if) they do fix it, my hope is that it will be no more customer unfriendly than the published policy is today.
According to the published SDC policy, all of these things that are being discussed should result in paying a fare difference.
The official policy only allows flight combinations that are within the original fare rules. In other words, while the app might allow someone to turn ORD-DTW into ORD-SFO-DTW, the fare rules do not.
The more people who abuse the SDC perk, the faster this will be fixed, and the more likely it is that the fix will be harsher than what the current rules allow.
There is no doubt that when UA sells a particular fare XXX-YYY, they intend for it to be routed in a certain set of ways. UA likely knows that people can pick up strange routings with SDC, including ones not allowed by the fare, but they are also likely assuming that too few people are interested in spending all day on a plane for the SDC function to wind up being an operational drag. However, if individuals are using SDC to flagrantly violate the fare and 'joy ride', and then publicly discussing the intent to do / have done so, that certainly seems like a way to convince UA to re-examine that assumption.
Jun 27, 2018, 2:37 pm
#4001
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Is a SDC to DTW-ORD-EWR a flagrant violation? What about DTW-IAH-EWR. Is it any double connection? DTW-ORD-CLE-EWR? What if there isn't any other nonstops, but DTW-IAH-EWR is available and gets me in 12 hours earlier? Or via DEN?
What if I move the fare up or earlier a day since Friday flights are generally more expensive then Thursday or Saturdays? Or booking an afternoon flight because it's cheaper then the early morning flights?
I think the SDC feature is great, that's what made me move back from American Airlines. I just don't really get to use it, and since all my travel is out of my own pocket, it helps me scratch my itch for flying. Another way to look at it is I'm throwing money at United just to fly, and I'm prepared to fly my route (if I book one).
Jun 27, 2018, 3:08 pm
#4002
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,404
So where does the line get drawn then for "flagrant abuse"? Let's say DTW-EWR, nonstop ticketed. (For the record, can connect via ORD for only a small increase).
Is a SDC to DTW-ORD-EWR a flagrant violation? What about DTW-IAH-EWR. Is it any double connection? DTW-ORD-CLE-EWR? What if there isn't any other nonstops, but DTW-IAH-EWR is available and gets me in 12 hours earlier? Or via DEN?
Is a SDC to DTW-ORD-EWR a flagrant violation? What about DTW-IAH-EWR. Is it any double connection? DTW-ORD-CLE-EWR? What if there isn't any other nonstops, but DTW-IAH-EWR is available and gets me in 12 hours earlier? Or via DEN?
I think the SDC feature is great, that's what made me move back from American Airlines. I just don't really get to use it, and since all my travel is out of my own pocket, it helps me scratch my itch for flying. Another way to look at it is I'm throwing money at United just to fly, and I'm prepared to fly my route (if I book one).
The difference is that if you have a K fare, and UA opens K inventory on some convoluted routing, it's an indication that there is enough availability that they don't think they can sell it. There are very few markets with no-advance-purchase K fares; the only reason that inventory is there is to allow people to change into it.
OTOH, if you book a P fare, that's much more problematic from UA's perspective. UA opens P buckets for TODs, and there are quite a few no-advance-purchase P fares, which may be significantly higher than the no-advance-purchase K fares that do exist. Unusual SDCs on P fares are much more likely to have a direct, negative impact to UA's top line than they would on K fares.
Jun 28, 2018, 5:35 pm
#4003
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: EWR-SEA-IAD
Programs: UA 1P MM, AS MVP G*, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 977
Flying OMA-EWR Friday evening and want to change it to earlier but every flight is booked full, its bonkers. Tossing trying to head to the airport to SDC for an early morning flight at T-2. Though if I connect thru ORD do the buckets level out at T-2 of the first segment for the entire way or do I need to SDC each segment as T-2 approaches? Thx
Jun 28, 2018, 5:47 pm
#4004
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Flying OMA-EWR Friday evening and want to change it to earlier but every flight is booked full, its bonkers. Tossing trying to head to the airport to SDC for an early morning flight at T-2. Though if I connect thru ORD do the buckets level out at T-2 of the first segment for the entire way or do I need to SDC each segment as T-2 approaches? Thx
Jun 28, 2018, 5:53 pm
#4005
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,404
OP: The "bucket leveling" thing basically doesn't happen for connecting flights. You need inventory all the way from OMA to EWR before you can make the change without paying a nasty fare difference -- and by the time you got to two hours before departure for ORD-EWR, you'd already have missed OMA-ORD.