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}
Jan 5, 2022, 2:23 pm
#6601
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
Either way, I would not do this online as there is a chance to mess up the TATL upgrade, call and stress you want to maintain the upgrade
Jan 10, 2022, 8:01 pm
#6602
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Elite Plus, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 22
Can one SDC more than once?
Hello,
I knew UA's SDC policy is extremely generous when compared to DL's one. I was wondering if one can SDC more than once. For example, if one initially booked a ticket to fly out 1/1/2022. Can one SDC to 1/2/2022 and then to 1/3/2022 on 1/2/2022? Just wondering if this is a legit possibility. TIA
I knew UA's SDC policy is extremely generous when compared to DL's one. I was wondering if one can SDC more than once. For example, if one initially booked a ticket to fly out 1/1/2022. Can one SDC to 1/2/2022 and then to 1/3/2022 on 1/2/2022? Just wondering if this is a legit possibility. TIA
Jan 10, 2022, 9:41 pm
#6603
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Hello,
I knew UA's SDC policy is extremely generous when compared to DL's one. I was wondering if one can SDC more than once. For example, if one initially booked a ticket to fly out 1/1/2022. Can one SDC to 1/2/2022 and then to 1/3/2022 on 1/2/2022? Just wondering if this is a legit possibility. TIA
I knew UA's SDC policy is extremely generous when compared to DL's one. I was wondering if one can SDC more than once. For example, if one initially booked a ticket to fly out 1/1/2022. Can one SDC to 1/2/2022 and then to 1/3/2022 on 1/2/2022? Just wondering if this is a legit possibility. TIA
Jan 17, 2022, 12:30 am
#6604
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 562
There may be a fare change if you switch before the 24 Same Day Change policy. If there isn't a fare change then yes go ahead now
Either way, I would not do this online as there is a chance to mess up the TATL upgrade, call and stress you want to maintain the upgrade
Either way, I would not do this online as there is a chance to mess up the TATL upgrade, call and stress you want to maintain the upgrade
-you need to pay the fare difference (no i want SDC)
-let me check on it
-(wait for 40 minutes)
-sorry you need to change your flight within 24 hours
Then I'll call the premier desk and SDC is granted immediately and then the agent would apologize for the inconvenience.
TL;DR SDC does not have to be done within 24 hours but a lot of agents will insist.
Jan 17, 2022, 7:46 am
#6605
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Because of no change fees, you were changed to new flights because your original fare was available for purchase. So, you are confused by the typical change of flight to no-fare difference SDC (even that inventory of that fare is not available for purchase).
Jan 17, 2022, 9:19 am
#6606
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 562
Another example is since I'm aiming for MM, I want more BIM but flights with connections are generally more expensive. So I bought a non-stop flight and called immediately after booking to SDC to a connecting flight that would give me more than twice the distance than the non-stop.
Last edited by leftysauce; Jan 17, 2022 at 9:24 am
Jan 17, 2022, 10:24 am
#6607
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,471
No I'm not confused between those two. The lowest fare on Sunday was $30 higher than on Monday for the flight with the same departure time on different days (exactly T-24) so I made sure the same inventory is available on Sunday (even though no published fare for that inventory but only higher ones do), bought the Monday fare, and called immediately afterwards to do SDC.
Another example is since I'm aiming for MM, I want more BIM but flights with connections are generally more expensive. So I bought a non-stop flight and called immediately after booking to SDC to a connecting flight that would give me more than twice the distance than the non-stop.
Another example is since I'm aiming for MM, I want more BIM but flights with connections are generally more expensive. So I bought a non-stop flight and called immediately after booking to SDC to a connecting flight that would give me more than twice the distance than the non-stop.
Jan 17, 2022, 10:40 am
#6608
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 562
This is probably similar to the time when a rep waitlisted me on domestic I when the international segment on Polaris is cleared on ANA award/ticket stock. I didn't know it's not allowed at first and called in. The rep just waitlisted me for it but then I changed my flight and lost it. Called it again and was told the rep broke the rule lmao
Jan 19, 2022, 2:03 pm
#6609
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: YKM
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 135
I'm working at planning an award trip in J from CDG-SEA for three either on Thanksgiving or the day after Thanksgiving. The search spits out all sorts of options as you all know. The one I want is CDG-SFO-SEA that leaves at 9:15am and gets me to Seattle in about 15hrs. It clocks in at ~140k. Then there is a CDG-EWR-SEA that leaves at 9:45am that clocks in around 110k but takes closer to 20hrs.
If I understand things correctly, I can book the one through Newark and then hope I can either SDC or go standby on the one via San Francisco.
Part two, with those with experience, how likely is it that it would actually happen?
If I understand things correctly, I can book the one through Newark and then hope I can either SDC or go standby on the one via San Francisco.
Part two, with those with experience, how likely is it that it would actually happen?
Jan 19, 2022, 2:13 pm
#6610
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,471
I'm working at planning an award trip in J from CDG-SEA for three either on Thanksgiving or the day after Thanksgiving. The search spits out all sorts of options as you all know. The one I want is CDG-SFO-SEA that leaves at 9:15am and gets me to Seattle in about 15hrs. It clocks in at ~140k. Then there is a CDG-EWR-SEA that leaves at 9:45am that clocks in around 110k but takes closer to 20hrs.
If I understand things correctly, I can book the one through Newark and then hope I can either SDC or go standby on the one via San Francisco.
Part two, with those with experience, how likely is it that it would actually happen?
If I understand things correctly, I can book the one through Newark and then hope I can either SDC or go standby on the one via San Francisco.
Part two, with those with experience, how likely is it that it would actually happen?
Jan 19, 2022, 3:22 pm
#6611
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Titanium, Hilton - Diamond, Hertz - PC
Posts: 21
Does anyone know or have experience on SDC for award tickets? Booked in IN, but only JN is available. Thanks!
Jan 21, 2022, 3:16 am
#6612
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 562
"Upon checking, ... Premier members are eligible to make a confirmed change on another flight at no cost if original ticketed fare class is available. I was able to get the same booking class which is 'L' for you. The change is successful... I waived the fare difference for you."
Jan 21, 2022, 9:23 am
#6613
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
just got another flight changed 🤷
"Upon checking, ... Premier members are eligible to make a confirmed change on another flight at no cost if original ticketed fare class is available. I was able to get the same booking class which is 'L' for you. The change is successful... I waived the fare difference for you."
"Upon checking, ... Premier members are eligible to make a confirmed change on another flight at no cost if original ticketed fare class is available. I was able to get the same booking class which is 'L' for you. The change is successful... I waived the fare difference for you."
-RM
Jan 21, 2022, 10:22 am
#6614
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 562
And that is not SDC if it's done outside of 24 hours. That's a flight change and you are still receiving exceptions as clearly outlined by "I waived the fare difference for you." That means the computer wanted an ADD COLLECT and the agent waived it. If you were inside of 24 hours then, yes, that's SDC because your fare class was open and SDC is nothing more than a fare difference waiver anyway for the same fare class.
-RM
-RM
Jan 21, 2022, 10:31 am
#6615
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
so the agent applied the (SDC-related policy) waiver to waive the fare difference and i would consider this an SDC-ish change (i guess with exception). I mean an agent (or at least 10 other agents now) can't just randomly waive the fare difference if he/she feels like it without an existing policy (say SDC) in place right?
So SDC is just one of multiple waivers / policies that lead to fare waivers. Not all / most fare waivers are SDC.