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}
Feb 19, 2019, 10:18 am
#4951
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Global Services 1MM,, AA Exec Plat. Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 606
Feb 19, 2019, 2:20 pm
#4952
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Global Services 1MM,, AA Exec Plat. Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 606
Spoke with an agent, and UA is claiming that there is a fare rule requirement to connect in a specific place? Doesn't sound right, might need to HUCA.
Feb 19, 2019, 2:25 pm
#4953
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Easy verified -- check the routing rules and if you don't have access, others can with the present routing and fare class / fare basis.
Feb 19, 2019, 3:05 pm
#4954
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,416
What's your routing, is it the outbound, return, or one-way, and when did you buy your ticket?
Feb 19, 2019, 3:51 pm
#4955
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Global Services 1MM,, AA Exec Plat. Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 606
Maybe my best bet is to keep an eye on the App.
Feb 19, 2019, 4:09 pm
#4956
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,416
I'd HUCA.
Feb 19, 2019, 4:17 pm
#4957
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,423
Extremely rare for discount Business to be combinable with domestic fares, so I'm a bit skeptical of a fare break. Two connections inbound is also pretty bizarre though, so hard to tell.
Feb 21, 2019, 11:39 pm
#4958
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Change from AC to United flight
A UC agent was able to change my flight (DEN-YYZ) from Air Canada to UA without any fees. I called 1K agent earlier today. He gave me the crap about change fees and fare differences if I wanted to change the flight. The AC flight was not UA-code shared.
Happy travel!
Happy travel!
Feb 21, 2019, 11:45 pm
#4959
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
The phone agent was following the rules, the UC agent did you a favor.
Phone agents tend to follow the rules closer, airport agents can be more accommodating.
Phone agents tend to follow the rules closer, airport agents can be more accommodating.
Feb 22, 2019, 7:12 am
#4960
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
I agree that airport agent is more accommodating. In my case, I asked the UC agent to print out my AC flight boarding pass. She had trouble to print one out for me. I asked nicely whether or not she could switch me to the UA flight. Her comment was that she would be able to do it if I did not check in the AC flight. I showed her the .pdf file with BPs of UA flights and a blanket page for AC flight. She did not say anything that might be related to the effect of doing a favor for me, however.
So, I wonder what is success rate for doing this type of SDC with phone line agents. In other words, how many times does one need to HUCA to reach an accommodating agent? Thanks.
So, I wonder what is success rate for doing this type of SDC with phone line agents. In other words, how many times does one need to HUCA to reach an accommodating agent? Thanks.
Feb 22, 2019, 4:29 pm
#4961
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 278
Is SDC still possible with a special meal order?
Feb 22, 2019, 5:43 pm
#4962
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 734
Weird question here for a round-trip ticket.
Not exactly a SDC question.
If I have to change my departure date into the future, past the day of the "return flight" can I change the "return flight" a little later? That is I won't have enough information to schedule my "return flight" right away. Can I change the "return flight" later, of course before the "return flight" is supposed to occur?
Will I cause some kind of time warp and UA will cancel my entire ticket?
I don't want to pay for more ticket changes than I need to. At worst, one change fee per direction. Thanks.
Not exactly a SDC question.
If I have to change my departure date into the future, past the day of the "return flight" can I change the "return flight" a little later? That is I won't have enough information to schedule my "return flight" right away. Can I change the "return flight" later, of course before the "return flight" is supposed to occur?
Will I cause some kind of time warp and UA will cancel my entire ticket?
I don't want to pay for more ticket changes than I need to. At worst, one change fee per direction. Thanks.
Feb 22, 2019, 6:30 pm
#4963
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Feb 23, 2019, 1:00 am
#4965
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,416
Weird question here for a round-trip ticket.
Not exactly a SDC question.
If I have to change my departure date into the future, past the day of the "return flight" can I change the "return flight" a little later? That is I won't have enough information to schedule my "return flight" right away. Can I change the "return flight" later, of course before the "return flight" is supposed to occur?
Will I cause some kind of time warp and UA will cancel my entire ticket?
I don't want to pay for more ticket changes than I need to. At worst, one change fee per direction. Thanks.
Not exactly a SDC question.
If I have to change my departure date into the future, past the day of the "return flight" can I change the "return flight" a little later? That is I won't have enough information to schedule my "return flight" right away. Can I change the "return flight" later, of course before the "return flight" is supposed to occur?
Will I cause some kind of time warp and UA will cancel my entire ticket?
I don't want to pay for more ticket changes than I need to. At worst, one change fee per direction. Thanks.
That said, I don't really understand your comment about paying only one change fee per direction. If you have a roundtrip ticket, and you change it, you'll pay one change fee. That's true no matter how many details of that trip you change. So, if you're booked AAA-BBB-AAA from Mar 15 - 22, and you want to change it to Mar 29-April 14, you'll just get charged one change fee even though you're changing both legs.
So, make your best guess as to a return date, call to change both legs, and in the worst case, you have to call back again and change it a second time once you know the return date -- but you've still only paid two change fees. In the best case, you guessed properly, and you only have to pay one change fee.