Jan 4, 2015, 2:01 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This wiki was created to distill SDC (and related standby) down to a set of rules in the hopes of benefiting others.
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply, and some are more flexible.
Note there have been reports of SDC to one segment removing confirmed CPU upgrades on downline segments. If maintaining the confirmed upgrade is important then these changes should be handled with care.
Most Frequently Asked Question: When do I call/go online to make the change?
Follow this flowchart:
Question 1: Are you within 24 hours of your currently scheduled UA(*) operated flight that you're trying to change off of? If yes, continue to Question 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Question 2: Are you within 24 hours of the first UA operated flight you're trying to change on to? If yes, continue to to Answer 2. If no, continue to Answer 1.
Answer 1: No, you cannot call/go online yet to make an SDC.
Answer 2: Yes, then you can call/go online to make an SDC.
General Baseline Rules
These are the general rules that usually apply to SDC's; falling outside these rules usually requires payment of a full change fee and the fare difference:
How to SDC
SDC can be accomplished in a few different places (in rough order of likelihood of being able to get the rules bent):
Please note that the United.com “change flight” link before checking in within T-24, is broken. The website may not show all available options and will often attempt to collect the change fee rather than the SDC fee (if any).
NB: An SDC where the original itinerary (in one direction) has three or more segments cannot be done online.
Nuances and Loose Rules
Now for the hard part: figuring out where the flexibility is in the rules. This list is compiled from the responses to people saying "Can I do X?" where X is something that is not clearly permitted by the rules. One's likelihood of success here depends a bit on the method used for the SDC.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = officially permitted and possible using any method
A = not permitted but perhaps possible using an agent (phone/counter), perhaps having to HUACA
A* = mixed reports of success with an agent (phone/counter),
N* = possible only if you find a very accommodating agent
N = little or no reported success.
If you encounter issues with an agent (phone or counter/gate), you can ask the agent to reference GG SDC. Additionally, GG SDC line 61 specifically references that fare classes are supposed to level out 3.5 hours before departure, so you might be able to use that to your advantage if fare classes have not leveled out and you're trying to ask an agent to open up the correct inventory or force you onto the flight.
Note -- as of 11/27/2017: A datapoint indicates that UA may have updated its GG rule regarding leveling out to state the following:
Standby
You may stand by if seats are not available in the purchased fare class. In these cases, the same-day change fee will apply, but will not be charged unless you are assigned a seat on your alternate flight. Changes in routing are not allowed when standing by. Standby may be requested on the day of departure at an airport kiosk or with a United representative at the airport. Once you are added to the flight standby list, you can check your real-time standby status at united.com/flightstatus or on your mobile device at mobile.united.com/info.
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I stand by for my desired flight for free?
No. The only time you may standby for free is when the fare does not have any penalties for making changes, or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity.
Can I pay the same-day change discount fee with cash?
Cash will only be accepted by a United airport representative when the change is available to be confirmed, not for standby travel.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
Previous threads:
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply, and some are more flexible.
Note there have been reports of SDC to one segment removing confirmed CPU upgrades on downline segments. If maintaining the confirmed upgrade is important then these changes should be handled with care.
Most Frequently Asked Question: When do I call/go online to make the change?
Follow this flowchart:
Question 1: Are you within 24 hours of your currently scheduled UA(*) operated flight that you're trying to change off of? If yes, continue to Question 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Question 2: Are you within 24 hours of the first UA operated flight you're trying to change on to? If yes, continue to to Answer 2. If no, continue to Answer 1.
Answer 1: No, you cannot call/go online yet to make an SDC.
Answer 2: Yes, then you can call/go online to make an SDC.
General Baseline Rules
These are the general rules that usually apply to SDC's; falling outside these rules usually requires payment of a full change fee and the fare difference:
- The departure time of the first segment of the old itinerary and the departure time of the first segment of the new itinerary must both be within 24 hours of the moment that the change is made.
- Only applies to UA/UX operated flights, domestic or international. Changing from a non-UA operated to UA operated may be possible.
- The ultimate origin and destination airports must remain the same.
- Routing can be changed (addition, deletion, or change of connection points) but the routing rules of the original fare usually apply.
- All remaining unflown segments in single fared itinerary are considered together (i.e., if you're flying WWW-XXX-YYY-ZZZ, you can go to a kiosk at XXX and potentially fly XXX-AAA-ZZZ or XXX-ZZZ direct).
- SDC can be done an unlimited number of times, and can therefore be used to extend a trip indefinitely (pending availability).
- SDC costs $75 for Members and Silvers - the fee is waived for Golds and up (plus any applicable fare difference, see below). *G's may also get free SDC, although there is no mention of this in the official rules. Once in-route, fees for an earlier connecting flight may be waived per GG SDC Line 118.
- Non-elites on the same PNR benefit from any waived fees for SDC.
- No fare difference is charged so long as there is availability on all of the new segments in the originally ticketed fare class. Fare class availability in all classes often opens up after T-24 and almost always opens up at T-3 unless the plane is very full.
- SDC on bulk tickets, including United Specials, is not permitted.
- SDC is permitted on both domestic and international itineraries.
How to SDC
SDC can be accomplished in a few different places (in rough order of likelihood of being able to get the rules bent):
- United mobile app
- Kiosk
- Phone
- On united.com, right now only the "Search Other Flight Options" button during On-Line Check-In (OLCI) works. This has spotty availability, particularly if the change would involve paying an additional fare due to fare bucket non-availability.
- Counter/Gate (although reports are that most airport agents are not familiar with the SDC policy and may not allow you to SDC to a valid itinerary--you can try to direct them to look up GG SDC, but they often won't understand that what you're trying to do is permitted by those rules)
NB: An SDC where the original itinerary (in one direction) has three or more segments cannot be done online.
Nuances and Loose Rules
Now for the hard part: figuring out where the flexibility is in the rules. This list is compiled from the responses to people saying "Can I do X?" where X is something that is not clearly permitted by the rules. One's likelihood of success here depends a bit on the method used for the SDC.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = officially permitted and possible using any method
A = not permitted but perhaps possible using an agent (phone/counter), perhaps having to HUACA
A* = mixed reports of success with an agent (phone/counter),
N* = possible only if you find a very accommodating agent
N = little or no reported success.
- Violating various non-routing fare rules (day/time, minimum stay, etc.): Y
- Change destination to ultra-close airport (see the old S*FAR/STANDBY): A
- Change destination to a co-terminal: N*
- Change destination to an entirely different place: N
- Change itinerary at the beginning to include illegal layovers (> 4 hours): N*
- Change itinerary at the layover point (using kiosk, app, or agent) to create an otherwise illegal layover: Y
- Change itinerary at the beginning to add a layover point not permitted by the routing rules: N*
- Change itinerary at a layover point to add another layover not permitted (either in terms of number of segments or routing rules) by the routing rules: Y
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours before or after the original flight: N*
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours before the original flight, if the previous day's flight has been delayed: Y (based on one report)
- Combining separately-fared segments to do SDC (e.g. XXX-YYY+YYY-ZZZ -> XXX-ZZZ): A
- Change UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment to UA metal: A
- Change from UA metal to UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: N (see post 1813 for one exception)
- Change from UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment to a different UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: ??
- Change on a non-UA ticketed segment: N* (with potential dire consequences)
- Change from an upgraded flight into Y on the new flight: Y
- Change from a GPU-upgraded flight into J/F on the new flight: A
- Change from a CPU-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available R space on the new flight: N*
- Change from an instrument-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available R space on the new flight: A*
- Non-elite on different PNR benefiting from Elite's waived-fee SDC: A
- Change at origin airport after tendering a checked bag: N
- Change at layover airport when a bag has been checked: N
If you encounter issues with an agent (phone or counter/gate), you can ask the agent to reference GG SDC. Additionally, GG SDC line 61 specifically references that fare classes are supposed to level out 3.5 hours before departure, so you might be able to use that to your advantage if fare classes have not leveled out and you're trying to ask an agent to open up the correct inventory or force you onto the flight.
Note -- as of 11/27/2017: A datapoint indicates that UA may have updated its GG rule regarding leveling out to state the following:
Code:
EVERYDAY AWARD AND REVENUE BUCKETS ARE TO LEVEL OUT WITHIN 2H OF DEPARTURE
You may stand by if seats are not available in the purchased fare class. In these cases, the same-day change fee will apply, but will not be charged unless you are assigned a seat on your alternate flight. Changes in routing are not allowed when standing by. Standby may be requested on the day of departure at an airport kiosk or with a United representative at the airport. Once you are added to the flight standby list, you can check your real-time standby status at united.com/flightstatus or on your mobile device at mobile.united.com/info.
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I stand by for my desired flight for free?
No. The only time you may standby for free is when the fare does not have any penalties for making changes, or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity.
Can I pay the same-day change discount fee with cash?
Cash will only be accepted by a United airport representative when the change is available to be confirmed, not for standby travel.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
Previous threads:
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions (with Wiki) {Archive}
Aug 30, 2018, 9:43 pm
#4321
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 812
So, to close the loop. Called CS, initially was given quite a bit of AIR (*), including "connection can't be more than 12 hours" but fortunately agent then agreed to call and check, presumably with someone who has a clue, returned somewhat surprised, confirming that up to a 24 hour stopover is fine, and SDCed the ticket as intended.
There also was R space on the SFO-WAS, so I was able to use an RPU as well, which is nice - otherwise they were just going to expire.
*) AIR - agent invented rules
There also was R space on the SFO-WAS, so I was able to use an RPU as well, which is nice - otherwise they were just going to expire.
*) AIR - agent invented rules
Original flight was: SFO-ORD-[ Intl ]
1 hour connection in ORD
Wanted to move the SFO-ORD flight to the night before to get an overnight 12 connection in ORD, much safer.
First agent said the system was down and she can't see the inventory. Called 20 minutes later, the second agent says she can't see the inventory, so transferred me to web support. Web support sees the inventory on the earlier SFO-ORD, but didn't think the 12 hour connection was valid, despite me saying international itineraries allow for up to 24 hours connections. So web support calls the "rate desk," the "rate desk" (who thankfully knew UA's own connection time rules) says the earlier flight's fine, and things get processed. Took an hour.
Aug 31, 2018, 4:13 am
#4322
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,910
So just to confirm my understanding for my upcoming HKG-GUM-HNL-LAX...
When I turn on my phone/app after landing at GUM, am I correct that fare class for GUM-NRT/KIX should not prohibit SDC as long as there are Y seats (since they are immediate departures) and only matters whether my fare class is available for the late afternoon NRT/KIX-USA?
When I turn on my phone/app after landing at GUM, am I correct that fare class for GUM-NRT/KIX should not prohibit SDC as long as there are Y seats (since they are immediate departures) and only matters whether my fare class is available for the late afternoon NRT/KIX-USA?
Aug 31, 2018, 7:50 am
#4323
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
When I turn on my phone/app after landing at GUM, am I correct that fare class for GUM-NRT/KIX should not prohibit SDC as long as there are Y seats (since they are immediate departures) and only matters whether my fare class is available for the late afternoon NRT/KIX-USA?
Aug 31, 2018, 7:45 pm
#4324
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,956
I have not seen any three-segment SDC option on App. If OP destination is LAX, GUM-KIX-SFO-LAX will not show up, but GUM-NRT-LAX may be available. The check-in desk at GUM may change the ticket for you if App won’t do it. Good luck!
Aug 31, 2018, 7:50 pm
#4325
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
-James
Sep 1, 2018, 6:29 am
#4326
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
Well, the agent gave me the initial option of paying the $200 change fee and then getting the 1st leg back as a credit. I'm not sure why she'd be so wrong about this? It sounded like many people do the initial option. I was just surprised that she offered me the latter option with the SDC fee.
Sep 1, 2018, 8:10 am
#4327
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
Generally, if you change the first segment in an itinerary, the rest of the ticket has to be repriced. However, if advance purchase requirements are still met, it may be possible to avoid repricing in that scenario.
Sep 1, 2018, 10:18 am
#4328
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,342
-RM
Sep 3, 2018, 8:07 am
#4329
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,910
A final report on my LAX-HNL-GUM-HKG-GUM-HNL-LAX ticket on K fare:
Outbound: Despite LAX-SFO-HKG availability, no options appeared in the app at all, except when I clicked the status/balance banner then "flights" to access the reservation, the change flight option directed me to the united.com website (embedded browser on iPhone) where everything cost $120 change fee (despite $0 fare diff). Plenty of LAX-XXX-SFO-HKG and ORD/EWR options on this platform (at huge costs).
Return: (1) At HKG, same thing again, only directed to browser and the $120+ options. Tried right after OLCI for morning-before and later again for morning-after. Only browser options. (2) After landing GUM, same "nothing" offered, not even GUM-NRT-LAX. However, after the GUM-HNL coupon was lifted (still on ground), options appeared on the app, including HNL-LAX flights that would depart before I could arrive HNL! I decided to wait to see more accurate seating charts and upgrade lists (sighting the non-revs and guessing where I could be on the SFO flight) until a later time. DEN options appeared but no IAH or further east. (I guess fare rules.) (3) At HNL, seeing HNL-SFO CPU as unlikely as HNL-LAX, and good E+ seats on HNL-DEN and good CPU chances on DEN-LAX, I took that. New ticket number, same PNR. (4) En route HNL-DEN, already saw DEN-SBA-LAX, later DEN-LAX flights, and even DEN-DFW-LAX options. But I was too tired to do DFW, was #1 on DEN-LAX with 2 seats open, and both flights in/out of SBA were CRJ2. So I sat in 738 F and arrived at 9 am.
Outbound: Despite LAX-SFO-HKG availability, no options appeared in the app at all, except when I clicked the status/balance banner then "flights" to access the reservation, the change flight option directed me to the united.com website (embedded browser on iPhone) where everything cost $120 change fee (despite $0 fare diff). Plenty of LAX-XXX-SFO-HKG and ORD/EWR options on this platform (at huge costs).
Return: (1) At HKG, same thing again, only directed to browser and the $120+ options. Tried right after OLCI for morning-before and later again for morning-after. Only browser options. (2) After landing GUM, same "nothing" offered, not even GUM-NRT-LAX. However, after the GUM-HNL coupon was lifted (still on ground), options appeared on the app, including HNL-LAX flights that would depart before I could arrive HNL! I decided to wait to see more accurate seating charts and upgrade lists (sighting the non-revs and guessing where I could be on the SFO flight) until a later time. DEN options appeared but no IAH or further east. (I guess fare rules.) (3) At HNL, seeing HNL-SFO CPU as unlikely as HNL-LAX, and good E+ seats on HNL-DEN and good CPU chances on DEN-LAX, I took that. New ticket number, same PNR. (4) En route HNL-DEN, already saw DEN-SBA-LAX, later DEN-LAX flights, and even DEN-DFW-LAX options. But I was too tired to do DFW, was #1 on DEN-LAX with 2 seats open, and both flights in/out of SBA were CRJ2. So I sat in 738 F and arrived at 9 am.
Sep 3, 2018, 8:18 am
#4330
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,956
A final report on my LAX-HNL-GUM-HKG-GUM-HNL-LAX ticket on K fare:
Outbound: Despite LAX-SFO-HKG availability, no options appeared in the app at all, except when I clicked the status/balance banner then "flights" to access the reservation, the change flight option directed me to the united.com website (embedded browser on iPhone) where everything cost $120 change fee (despite $0 fare diff). Plenty of LAX-XXX-SFO-HKG and ORD/EWR options on this platform (at huge costs).
Return: (1) At HKG, same thing again, only directed to browser and the $120+ options. Tried right after OLCI for morning-before and later again for morning-after. Only browser options. (2) After landing GUM, same "nothing" offered, not even GUM-NRT-LAX. However, after the GUM-HNL coupon was lifted (still on ground), options appeared on the app, including HNL-LAX flights that would depart before I could arrive HNL! I decided to wait to see more accurate seating charts and upgrade lists (sighting the non-revs and guessing where I could be on the SFO flight) until a later time. DEN options appeared but no IAH or further east. (I guess fare rules.) (3) At HNL, seeing HNL-SFO CPU as unlikely as HNL-LAX, and good E+ seats on HNL-DEN and good CPU chances on DEN-LAX, I took that. New ticket number, same PNR. (4) En route HNL-DEN, already saw DEN-SBA-LAX, later DEN-LAX flights, and even DEN-DFW-LAX options. But I was too tired to do DFW, was #1 on DEN-LAX with 2 seats open, and both flights in/out of SBA were CRJ2. So I sat in 738 F and arrived at 9 am.
Outbound: Despite LAX-SFO-HKG availability, no options appeared in the app at all, except when I clicked the status/balance banner then "flights" to access the reservation, the change flight option directed me to the united.com website (embedded browser on iPhone) where everything cost $120 change fee (despite $0 fare diff). Plenty of LAX-XXX-SFO-HKG and ORD/EWR options on this platform (at huge costs).
Return: (1) At HKG, same thing again, only directed to browser and the $120+ options. Tried right after OLCI for morning-before and later again for morning-after. Only browser options. (2) After landing GUM, same "nothing" offered, not even GUM-NRT-LAX. However, after the GUM-HNL coupon was lifted (still on ground), options appeared on the app, including HNL-LAX flights that would depart before I could arrive HNL! I decided to wait to see more accurate seating charts and upgrade lists (sighting the non-revs and guessing where I could be on the SFO flight) until a later time. DEN options appeared but no IAH or further east. (I guess fare rules.) (3) At HNL, seeing HNL-SFO CPU as unlikely as HNL-LAX, and good E+ seats on HNL-DEN and good CPU chances on DEN-LAX, I took that. New ticket number, same PNR. (4) En route HNL-DEN, already saw DEN-SBA-LAX, later DEN-LAX flights, and even DEN-DFW-LAX options. But I was too tired to do DFW, was #1 on DEN-LAX with 2 seats open, and both flights in/out of SBA were CRJ2. So I sat in 738 F and arrived at 9 am.
I wonder whether or not you had time to stop by check-in desk after deplaning HKG-GUM. The GUM agents are very helpful. They might be able to reroute you through NRT/KIX.
Happy travels.
Sep 3, 2018, 1:49 pm
#4331
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH, YYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 753
So just to confirm my understanding for my upcoming HKG-GUM-HNL-LAX...
When I turn on my phone/app after landing at GUM, am I correct that fare class for GUM-NRT/KIX should not prohibit SDC as long as there are Y seats (since they are immediate departures) and only matters whether my fare class is available for the late afternoon NRT/KIX-USA?
When I turn on my phone/app after landing at GUM, am I correct that fare class for GUM-NRT/KIX should not prohibit SDC as long as there are Y seats (since they are immediate departures) and only matters whether my fare class is available for the late afternoon NRT/KIX-USA?
my advice would be to sort this out by phone from HKG. I had this booked as a MR and flew it a couple of days ago. IRROPS in Denver meant I was able to make some of the changes from there and get a wonderful 24 hours in Guam. here is your issue though:
Since the connection in GUM is less than one hour, you are reliant on your preferred option being presented in app, otherwise you won’t have time to call UA, get through to an agent and make the change (it took me around 30 mins for all of this). This is doubly true if you’re trying to SDC into the 7am NRT or 7:15am KIX flight.
While you are in HK, search using expert mode from GUM to your destination and check fare class availability, then once you find it, call up and give the exact combination of flights you want.
Sep 3, 2018, 6:31 pm
#4332
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,849
Question: if a platinum clears into R space. I'm assuming when you would like to same-day change for a flight that you received a CPU the system would look for flights available in the underlying fare class.. I have noticed on a consistent basis when I have a CPU I don't see much SDC being offered on the app. Last night my son (whom is a platinum as well via my million miler status) received a CPU just about 15 minutes after check in about T 23:30 and he wasn't offered any SDC (From the time the CPU was granted all the way through till departure) I thought it was just me but now I have another data point so I thought I'd ask.. thanks
Sep 3, 2018, 7:42 pm
#4333
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,342
Question: if a platinum clears into R space. I'm assuming when you would like to same-day change for a flight that you received a CPU the system would look for flights available in the underlying fare class.. I have noticed on a consistent basis when I have a CPU I don't see much SDC being offered on the app. Last night my son (whom is a platinum as well via my million miler status) received a CPU just about 15 minutes after check in about T 23:30 and he wasn't offered any SDC (From the time the CPU was granted all the way through till departure) I thought it was just me but now I have another data point so I thought I'd ask.. thanks
Note: SDC is currently "broken" (aka works better) for golds and silvers as they are being upgraded into "RN" space. Provided "RN" is available on whatever flight they want to get on they can clear directly into first class during SDC. Plats/1K are screwed and can't do this as "R" doesn't allow that . GS can do it because they clear into PN.
-RM
Sep 3, 2018, 11:54 pm
#4334
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,910
Edit: looks like I was too late. And also wondering if you and I were in Guam at the same time (I flew GUM-KIX on sept 3).
Since the connection in GUM is less than one hour, you are reliant on your preferred option being presented in app, otherwise you won’t have time to call UA, get through to an agent and make the change (it took me around 30 mins for all of this). This is doubly true if you’re trying to SDC into the 7am NRT or 7:15am KIX flight.
Sep 4, 2018, 12:00 pm
#4335
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH, YYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 753
It was Sunday morning 9/02. 116 arrived Gate 10 at 0554, just a quick crossing to immigration then down to customs. Having lived there I knew my way upstairs and quickly went up 2 floors and through TSA Pre. 201 was scheduled to start boarding 0600; I got there 0611. Most of the crowd was already boarded, B&C had to let me into my A seat at 0616. Door closed 0627. No time to see check-in counter at all and probably not enough time for NRT/KIX. The Hopper was 0820 but fare rules probably restricted that.