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}
Oct 17, 2019, 7:58 am
#5851
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, Skymiles, HHonors Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 77
For future reference, would that also apply to the return segments? E.g. despite having partner flights on the outbound, if the return portion was entirely on United metal, would I be able to make a SDC on the return?
Oct 17, 2019, 10:45 am
#5852
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 695
That shouldn't be an issue
Oct 17, 2019, 11:04 am
#5853
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AA EXP, HH Diamond, MR Gold, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,252
As a data point, I recently (end of Sept) flew IAD-NRT-BKK and was given SDC options that kept the NRT-BKK NH segment (booked as UA codeshare) intact but offered different ways to get to Narita. I didn't use them, but I always check what's offered because I'm curious. Separately, I flew IAD-HNL-KOA and return over the past week and going both ways was given SDC options to all UA itineraries to or from KOA, but nothing that included my HA segments (booked as UA codeshare).
Oct 17, 2019, 4:44 pm
#5854
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,947
Heads-up: looks like the app is clearing SDCs (for upgraded segments) into PZ again. 
Today I wasn't able to move to an earlier flight that was wide open in Y but had PZ0... until later, when somebody cancelled, PZ opened, and I was able to clear onto it after all. (To be fair, I probably would have gotten upgraded anyway).
Today I wasn't able to move to an earlier flight that was wide open in Y but had PZ0... until later, when somebody cancelled, PZ opened, and I was able to clear onto it after all. (To be fair, I probably would have gotten upgraded anyway).
Oct 18, 2019, 11:12 am
#5855
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, Skymiles, HHonors Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 77
As a data point, I recently (end of Sept) flew IAD-NRT-BKK and was given SDC options that kept the NRT-BKK NH segment (booked as UA codeshare) intact but offered different ways to get to Narita. I didn't use them, but I always check what's offered because I'm curious. Separately, I flew IAD-HNL-KOA and return over the past week and going both ways was given SDC options to all UA itineraries to or from KOA, but nothing that included my HA segments (booked as UA codeshare).
Oct 18, 2019, 11:17 am
#5856
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
United says: "if you checked baggage on your original flight, you will need to complete any changes at least 60 minutes before your new flight’s departure to allow time for us to move your baggage to the new flight." https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ay-change.html
The wiki for this thread says:
""
Change at origin airport after tendering a checked bag: A - 60 minutes prior to both flights required
Change at layover airport when a bag has been checked: A - 60 minutes prior to both flights required
""
Oct 18, 2019, 11:51 am
#5857
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: 66,861
Wait, what?
United says: "if you checked baggage on your original flight, you will need to complete any changes at least 60 minutes before your new flight’s departure to allow time for us to move your baggage to the new flight." https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ay-change.html
...
United says: "if you checked baggage on your original flight, you will need to complete any changes at least 60 minutes before your new flight’s departure to allow time for us to move your baggage to the new flight." https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ay-change.html
...
Oct 18, 2019, 4:32 pm
#5858
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 178
Booked one stop flight, can I standby on non-stop to same final destination?
Can I do so having a checked bag? And do my chances change if it’s award travel?
Oct 18, 2019, 5:32 pm
#5859
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
No, you’d need to SDC to change routing, the fare class would need to be available, and you’d want to do it prior to checking bags
Oct 18, 2019, 5:44 pm
#5860
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,070
Standby travel does not allow routing changes, and SDC does not allow changes from connection to non-stop.
"Same-Day Confirmed changes from connection to nonstop flights are not permitted "
"Same-Day Confirmed changes from connection to nonstop flights are not permitted "
Oct 18, 2019, 5:44 pm
#5861
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ay-change.html
Oct 18, 2019, 5:47 pm
#5862
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
The equivalent quote from the United.com website Often1 mentioned is :
"Yes, when a change can be confirmed, provided the new routing is permitted by the fare and no changes to the origin or destination airports. You may not, however, change routing when standing by."
As for the bag question, "If you checked baggage on your original flight, you will need to complete any changes at least 60 minutes before your new flight’s departure to allow time for us to move your baggage to the new flight."
Oct 18, 2019, 5:50 pm
#5863
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,070
Might help to include where that's a quote from. (Hint: it's on Delta.com, so probably not all that relevant to this thread)
The equivalent quote from the United.com website Often1 mentioned is :
"Yes, when a change can be confirmed, provided the new routing is permitted by the fare and no changes to the origin or destination airports. You may not, however, change routing when standing by."
As for the bag question, "If you checked baggage on your original flight, you will need to complete any changes at least 60 minutes before your new flight’s departure to allow time for us to move your baggage to the new flight."
The equivalent quote from the United.com website Often1 mentioned is :
"Yes, when a change can be confirmed, provided the new routing is permitted by the fare and no changes to the origin or destination airports. You may not, however, change routing when standing by."
As for the bag question, "If you checked baggage on your original flight, you will need to complete any changes at least 60 minutes before your new flight’s departure to allow time for us to move your baggage to the new flight."
Oct 18, 2019, 6:13 pm
#5864
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,694
Also depends on if your fare construction allows it.
Oct 18, 2019, 6:27 pm
#5865
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
If United revises your itinerary in a substantial way (i.e. schedule change of over an hour, cancelling a leg of the flight, issuing a travel advisory due to weather) you can generally call in and get UA to make a free change to your itinerary including pushing you on a non-stop flight if available. At that point all that matters is availability in the cabin you're originally ticketed in (i.e. either Economy, Premium Economy, BusinessFirst (passengers last) or Polaris).
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James