Jan 4, 2015, 2:01 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This wiki was created to distill SDC (and related standby) down to a set of rules in the hopes of benefiting others.
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply, and some are more flexible.
Note there have been reports of SDC to one segment removing confirmed CPU upgrades on downline segments. If maintaining the confirmed upgrade is important then these changes should be handled with care.
Most Frequently Asked Question: When do I call/go online to make the change?
Follow this flowchart:
Question 1: Are you within 24 hours of your currently scheduled UA(*) operated flight that you're trying to change off of? If yes, continue to Question 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Question 2: Are you within 24 hours of the first UA operated flight you're trying to change on to? If yes, continue to to Answer 2. If no, continue to Answer 1.
Answer 1: No, you cannot call/go online yet to make an SDC.
Answer 2: Yes, then you can call/go online to make an SDC.
General Baseline Rules
These are the general rules that usually apply to SDC's; falling outside these rules usually requires payment of a full change fee and the fare difference:
How to SDC
SDC can be accomplished in a few different places (in rough order of likelihood of being able to get the rules bent):
Please note that the United.com “change flight” link before checking in within T-24, is broken. The website may not show all available options and will often attempt to collect the change fee rather than the SDC fee (if any).
NB: An SDC where the original itinerary (in one direction) has three or more segments cannot be done online.
Nuances and Loose Rules
Now for the hard part: figuring out where the flexibility is in the rules. This list is compiled from the responses to people saying "Can I do X?" where X is something that is not clearly permitted by the rules. One's likelihood of success here depends a bit on the method used for the SDC.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = officially permitted and possible using any method
A = not permitted but perhaps possible using an agent (phone/counter), perhaps having to HUACA
A* = mixed reports of success with an agent (phone/counter),
N* = possible only if you find a very accommodating agent
N = little or no reported success.
If you encounter issues with an agent (phone or counter/gate), you can ask the agent to reference GG SDC. Additionally, GG SDC line 61 specifically references that fare classes are supposed to level out 3.5 hours before departure, so you might be able to use that to your advantage if fare classes have not leveled out and you're trying to ask an agent to open up the correct inventory or force you onto the flight.
Note -- as of 11/27/2017: A datapoint indicates that UA may have updated its GG rule regarding leveling out to state the following:
Standby
You may stand by if seats are not available in the purchased fare class. In these cases, the same-day change fee will apply, but will not be charged unless you are assigned a seat on your alternate flight. Changes in routing are not allowed when standing by. Standby may be requested on the day of departure at an airport kiosk or with a United representative at the airport. Once you are added to the flight standby list, you can check your real-time standby status at united.com/flightstatus or on your mobile device at mobile.united.com/info.
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I stand by for my desired flight for free?
No. The only time you may standby for free is when the fare does not have any penalties for making changes, or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity.
Can I pay the same-day change discount fee with cash?
Cash will only be accepted by a United airport representative when the change is available to be confirmed, not for standby travel.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
Previous threads:
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply, and some are more flexible.
Note there have been reports of SDC to one segment removing confirmed CPU upgrades on downline segments. If maintaining the confirmed upgrade is important then these changes should be handled with care.
Most Frequently Asked Question: When do I call/go online to make the change?
Follow this flowchart:
Question 1: Are you within 24 hours of your currently scheduled UA(*) operated flight that you're trying to change off of? If yes, continue to Question 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Question 2: Are you within 24 hours of the first UA operated flight you're trying to change on to? If yes, continue to to Answer 2. If no, continue to Answer 1.
Answer 1: No, you cannot call/go online yet to make an SDC.
Answer 2: Yes, then you can call/go online to make an SDC.
General Baseline Rules
These are the general rules that usually apply to SDC's; falling outside these rules usually requires payment of a full change fee and the fare difference:
- The departure time of the first segment of the old itinerary and the departure time of the first segment of the new itinerary must both be within 24 hours of the moment that the change is made.
- Only applies to UA/UX operated flights, domestic or international. Changing from a non-UA operated to UA operated may be possible.
- The ultimate origin and destination airports must remain the same.
- Routing can be changed (addition, deletion, or change of connection points) but the routing rules of the original fare usually apply.
- All remaining unflown segments in single fared itinerary are considered together (i.e., if you're flying WWW-XXX-YYY-ZZZ, you can go to a kiosk at XXX and potentially fly XXX-AAA-ZZZ or XXX-ZZZ direct).
- SDC can be done an unlimited number of times, and can therefore be used to extend a trip indefinitely (pending availability).
- SDC costs $75 for Members and Silvers - the fee is waived for Golds and up (plus any applicable fare difference, see below). *G's may also get free SDC, although there is no mention of this in the official rules. Once in-route, fees for an earlier connecting flight may be waived per GG SDC Line 118.
- Non-elites on the same PNR benefit from any waived fees for SDC.
- No fare difference is charged so long as there is availability on all of the new segments in the originally ticketed fare class. Fare class availability in all classes often opens up after T-24 and almost always opens up at T-3 unless the plane is very full.
- SDC on bulk tickets, including United Specials, is not permitted.
- SDC is permitted on both domestic and international itineraries.
How to SDC
SDC can be accomplished in a few different places (in rough order of likelihood of being able to get the rules bent):
- United mobile app
- Kiosk
- Phone
- On united.com, right now only the "Search Other Flight Options" button during On-Line Check-In (OLCI) works. This has spotty availability, particularly if the change would involve paying an additional fare due to fare bucket non-availability.
- Counter/Gate (although reports are that most airport agents are not familiar with the SDC policy and may not allow you to SDC to a valid itinerary--you can try to direct them to look up GG SDC, but they often won't understand that what you're trying to do is permitted by those rules)
NB: An SDC where the original itinerary (in one direction) has three or more segments cannot be done online.
Nuances and Loose Rules
Now for the hard part: figuring out where the flexibility is in the rules. This list is compiled from the responses to people saying "Can I do X?" where X is something that is not clearly permitted by the rules. One's likelihood of success here depends a bit on the method used for the SDC.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = officially permitted and possible using any method
A = not permitted but perhaps possible using an agent (phone/counter), perhaps having to HUACA
A* = mixed reports of success with an agent (phone/counter),
N* = possible only if you find a very accommodating agent
N = little or no reported success.
- Violating various non-routing fare rules (day/time, minimum stay, etc.): Y
- Change destination to ultra-close airport (see the old S*FAR/STANDBY): A
- Change destination to a co-terminal: N*
- Change destination to an entirely different place: N
- Change itinerary at the beginning to include illegal layovers (> 4 hours): N*
- Change itinerary at the layover point (using kiosk, app, or agent) to create an otherwise illegal layover: Y
- Change itinerary at the beginning to add a layover point not permitted by the routing rules: N*
- Change itinerary at a layover point to add another layover not permitted (either in terms of number of segments or routing rules) by the routing rules: Y
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours before or after the original flight: N*
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours before the original flight, if the previous day's flight has been delayed: Y (based on one report)
- Combining separately-fared segments to do SDC (e.g. XXX-YYY+YYY-ZZZ -> XXX-ZZZ): A
- Change UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment to UA metal: A
- Change from UA metal to UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: N (see post 1813 for one exception)
- Change from UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment to a different UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: ??
- Change on a non-UA ticketed segment: N* (with potential dire consequences)
- Change from an upgraded flight into Y on the new flight: Y
- Change from a GPU-upgraded flight into J/F on the new flight: A
- Change from a CPU-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available R space on the new flight: N*
- Change from an instrument-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available R space on the new flight: A*
- Non-elite on different PNR benefiting from Elite's waived-fee SDC: A
- Change at origin airport after tendering a checked bag: N
- Change at layover airport when a bag has been checked: N
If you encounter issues with an agent (phone or counter/gate), you can ask the agent to reference GG SDC. Additionally, GG SDC line 61 specifically references that fare classes are supposed to level out 3.5 hours before departure, so you might be able to use that to your advantage if fare classes have not leveled out and you're trying to ask an agent to open up the correct inventory or force you onto the flight.
Note -- as of 11/27/2017: A datapoint indicates that UA may have updated its GG rule regarding leveling out to state the following:
Code:
EVERYDAY AWARD AND REVENUE BUCKETS ARE TO LEVEL OUT WITHIN 2H OF DEPARTURE
You may stand by if seats are not available in the purchased fare class. In these cases, the same-day change fee will apply, but will not be charged unless you are assigned a seat on your alternate flight. Changes in routing are not allowed when standing by. Standby may be requested on the day of departure at an airport kiosk or with a United representative at the airport. Once you are added to the flight standby list, you can check your real-time standby status at united.com/flightstatus or on your mobile device at mobile.united.com/info.
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I stand by for my desired flight for free?
No. The only time you may standby for free is when the fare does not have any penalties for making changes, or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity.
Can I pay the same-day change discount fee with cash?
Cash will only be accepted by a United airport representative when the change is available to be confirmed, not for standby travel.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
Previous threads:
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions (with Wiki) {Archive}
Jul 10, 2018, 3:13 pm
#4081
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
You can, although there’s a good chance you’ll need to call to do it, and you’ll need fare class availability on both of the flights, including the TPA-IAH flight you’re already on.
Jul 10, 2018, 3:22 pm
#4082
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,168
Does it change things if a city is served by exactly 1 daily UA flight? Based on the wiki and my understanding of SDC I think not but I wanted to ask.
Specifically, I have a potential business trip to Bermuda coming up and it looks like UA does one daily turn to BDA (in at 15:00 local / out at 15:55 local to/from EWR). Based on this -- if I stick with UA -- I'm basically turning a 1 day meeting into a 3-day trip (in the afternoon before, meet, then out the next afternoon) -- if things wrap early it would be nice to just hop home a night early, but unrestricted/chagable fares are crazy expensive to the point of being unjustifiable.
Specifically, I have a potential business trip to Bermuda coming up and it looks like UA does one daily turn to BDA (in at 15:00 local / out at 15:55 local to/from EWR). Based on this -- if I stick with UA -- I'm basically turning a 1 day meeting into a 3-day trip (in the afternoon before, meet, then out the next afternoon) -- if things wrap early it would be nice to just hop home a night early, but unrestricted/chagable fares are crazy expensive to the point of being unjustifiable.
Jul 10, 2018, 3:24 pm
#4083
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Does it change things if a city is served by exactly 1 daily UA flight? Based on the wiki and my understanding of SDC I think not but I wanted to ask.
Specifically, I have a potential business trip to Bermuda coming up and it looks like UA does one daily turn to BDA (in at 15:00 local / out at 15:55 local to/from EWR). Based on this -- if I stick with UA -- I'm basically turning a 1 day meeting into a 3-day trip (in the afternoon before, meet, then out the next afternoon) -- if things wrap early it would be nice to just hop home a night early, but unrestricted/chagable fares are crazy expensive to the point of being unjustifiable.
Specifically, I have a potential business trip to Bermuda coming up and it looks like UA does one daily turn to BDA (in at 15:00 local / out at 15:55 local to/from EWR). Based on this -- if I stick with UA -- I'm basically turning a 1 day meeting into a 3-day trip (in the afternoon before, meet, then out the next afternoon) -- if things wrap early it would be nice to just hop home a night early, but unrestricted/chagable fares are crazy expensive to the point of being unjustifiable.
Jul 10, 2018, 3:28 pm
#4084
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but figured I'd go ahead and ask anyway...
I have an upcoming reservation DEN-ORD in Y and then a separate reservation ORD-PEK in J. The ORD-PEK is on a 772 with 2-4-2 in J. I see that the SFO-PEK flight is the new Polaris 1-2-1 layout in J on the 773ER. Will I have to wait until within 24 hours of the ORD-PEK flight in order to see if I can switch to ORD-SFO-PEK, or do you think I might have any luck contacting an agent at T-24 of DEN-ORD and seeing if they would be able to accommodate my request at that time? The difference in time between T-24 for DEN-ORD and T-24 for ORD-PEK is only 5.5 hours, so it's not a long time to have to wait, but I just thought I'd see if it was worthwhile to try to SDC the TPAC flight ASAP. I'll have to SDC the DEN-ORD flight to the previous day, but looking at flights right now, there seems to be fare class availability on all the flights I want, so I'm hoping everything will turn out as I planned.
Does anyone see a problem with me being able to change ORD-PEK to be ORD-SFO-PEK if fare classes are still available, even if I have to wait until the appropriate T-24 time period?
I have an upcoming reservation DEN-ORD in Y and then a separate reservation ORD-PEK in J. The ORD-PEK is on a 772 with 2-4-2 in J. I see that the SFO-PEK flight is the new Polaris 1-2-1 layout in J on the 773ER. Will I have to wait until within 24 hours of the ORD-PEK flight in order to see if I can switch to ORD-SFO-PEK, or do you think I might have any luck contacting an agent at T-24 of DEN-ORD and seeing if they would be able to accommodate my request at that time? The difference in time between T-24 for DEN-ORD and T-24 for ORD-PEK is only 5.5 hours, so it's not a long time to have to wait, but I just thought I'd see if it was worthwhile to try to SDC the TPAC flight ASAP. I'll have to SDC the DEN-ORD flight to the previous day, but looking at flights right now, there seems to be fare class availability on all the flights I want, so I'm hoping everything will turn out as I planned.
Does anyone see a problem with me being able to change ORD-PEK to be ORD-SFO-PEK if fare classes are still available, even if I have to wait until the appropriate T-24 time period?
Jul 10, 2018, 3:33 pm
#4085
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 46
Regarding fare class availability, does it help that this is an economy class award redemption (X) fare?
Jul 10, 2018, 4:07 pm
#4086
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but figured I'd go ahead and ask anyway...
I have an upcoming reservation DEN-ORD in Y and then a separate reservation ORD-PEK in J. The ORD-PEK is on a 772 with 2-4-2 in J. I see that the SFO-PEK flight is the new Polaris 1-2-1 layout in J on the 773ER. Will I have to wait until within 24 hours of the ORD-PEK flight in order to see if I can switch to ORD-SFO-PEK, or do you think I might have any luck contacting an agent at T-24 of DEN-ORD and seeing if they would be able to accommodate my request at that time? The difference in time between T-24 for DEN-ORD and T-24 for ORD-PEK is only 5.5 hours, ...
I have an upcoming reservation DEN-ORD in Y and then a separate reservation ORD-PEK in J. The ORD-PEK is on a 772 with 2-4-2 in J. I see that the SFO-PEK flight is the new Polaris 1-2-1 layout in J on the 773ER. Will I have to wait until within 24 hours of the ORD-PEK flight in order to see if I can switch to ORD-SFO-PEK, or do you think I might have any luck contacting an agent at T-24 of DEN-ORD and seeing if they would be able to accommodate my request at that time? The difference in time between T-24 for DEN-ORD and T-24 for ORD-PEK is only 5.5 hours, ...
Jul 10, 2018, 4:13 pm
#4087
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
Will I have to wait until within 24 hours of the ORD-PEK flight in order to see if I can switch to ORD-SFO-PEK, or do you think I might have any luck contacting an agent at T-24 of DEN-ORD and seeing if they would be able to accommodate my request at that time?
Does anyone see a problem with me being able to change ORD-PEK to be ORD-SFO-PEK if fare classes are still available, even if I have to wait until the appropriate T-24 time period?
Does anyone see a problem with me being able to change ORD-PEK to be ORD-SFO-PEK if fare classes are still available, even if I have to wait until the appropriate T-24 time period?
If you can travel without a checked bag, you can try to SDC / standby once you get to IAH. Standby may be your best chance, as you can clear into any empty seat (there’s no inventory requirement).
Jul 10, 2018, 4:24 pm
#4088
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
I searched for a one-way flight on the UA website from ORD-PEK, and it shows P9 on my current flight (I'm booked in P), and P3 for the flight from ORD-SFO-PEK with a 2 hour connection time in SFO. If I want to only have 53 mins in SFO, it shows P8 for ORD-SFO-PEK. I'd rather have 2 hours in order to check out the SFO Polaris lounge also, but will skip it if need be! Do you think those numbers are likely to change in the next couple of days before my T-24? There's no way of knowing, of course, but does it seem likely that I'll be okay on at least the later flight out of ORD with P8 availability?
Jul 10, 2018, 4:37 pm
#4089
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
I’d say you have a pretty good chance, but there’s never a guarantee.
Jul 10, 2018, 8:22 pm
#4090
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Socal
Programs: UA Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Amex Plat, CSR
Posts: 207
I have the following scenario: I flew DEN-IAH in L yesterday, and am booked on IAH-DEN for tomorrow in V. I checked in for tomorrow’s flight and tried a SDC. HOWEVER, according to the app, all the options I’m getting are only in booking class L, not V. I changed to IAH-LAS-DEN just to confirm that the app is actually changing my return leg to L, and sure enough it did. I had to call CS to rebook me on the nonstop in V. Web support says this is because of the quick turnaround, and after midnight my p DEN-IAH leg will be deleted from the itinerary and the app will show and confirm flight options in V.
Has anyone experienced this and can confirm that UA’s Systems can’t handle quick turnarounds like this one?
Thanks!
Has anyone experienced this and can confirm that UA’s Systems can’t handle quick turnarounds like this one?
Thanks!
Jul 10, 2018, 8:39 pm
#4091
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
I have the following scenario: I flew DEN-IAH in L yesterday, and am booked on IAH-DEN for tomorrow in V. I checked in for tomorrow’s flight and tried a SDC. HOWEVER, according to the app, all the options I’m getting are only in booking class L, not V. I changed to IAH-LAS-DEN just to confirm that the app is actually changing my return leg to L, and sure enough it did. I had to call CS to rebook me on the nonstop in V. Web support says this is because of the quick turnaround, and after midnight my p DEN-IAH leg will be deleted from the itinerary and the app will show and confirm flight options in V.
Has anyone experienced this and can confirm that UA’s Systems can’t handle quick turnarounds like this one?
Thanks!
Has anyone experienced this and can confirm that UA’s Systems can’t handle quick turnarounds like this one?
Thanks!
-RM
Jul 10, 2018, 8:47 pm
#4092
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Socal
Programs: UA Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Amex Plat, CSR
Posts: 207
Nope, I've not seen that. However, if you're getting SDC'd into "L" and want to keep "V" then just process the SDC over the phone and remind the agent that you're booked in "V" and want to keep that class. Of course, it means nothing in terms of miles earned as L and V earn at the same rate. The only thing it affects is which flights will appear for SDC since the computer is looking for "L" instead of "V". Pick the flight you want using expert mode on United.com and then call it in if the app/website don't offer it to you. The agent can make the change for you without problem.
-RM
-RM
Edit: correction. Now the 11:55 AM flight is down to Q1. I feel robbed. Paid for V and can’t change to a routing that is/was available in V
Last edited by whipwhitaker; Jul 10, 2018 at 8:58 pm
Jul 10, 2018, 10:20 pm
#4093
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,891
Thanks. I already tried that, asking for a IAH-SAN-DEN routing, which is wide open in V. However, they asked for a fare difference of $700+ due to this routing not being permitted under the original ticket. I’ve flown it many times with SDC though.
Edit: correction. Now the 11:55 AM flight is down to Q1. I feel robbed. Paid for V and can’t change to a routing that is/was available in V
Jul 10, 2018, 10:59 pm
#4094
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
I also haven’t seen anything with the app trying to book me into a lower fare class than purchased, and I find the agent’s explanation a little tough to swallow. It sounds like something that was made up on the spot.
Jul 11, 2018, 6:57 am
#4095
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
FWIW, I flew ORD-IAH on the 4th of july, which was a pretty quiet day to fly. I was in K, which is the next to bottom lowest, but all SDC options appeared to be the same results that a united.com search would (and did) pull up.
Here's everything I recall for possible connections:
AUS
CHS (I think)
DCA (took)
DSM (21 minute connection, which apparently is legal)
DFW
JAN
RDU
SAT
SAV
SGF
Here's everything I recall for possible connections:
AUS
CHS (I think)
DCA (took)
DSM (21 minute connection, which apparently is legal)
DFW
JAN
RDU
SAT
SAV
SGF
Last edited by BThumme; Jul 11, 2018 at 7:15 am