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 4, 2015, 10:37 pm
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Sounds like there was a mass booking to that flight, maybe as a result of a cancellation of something else on that route same day. As for my experience, I have not noticed a reduction in fare classes just prior to the SDC window.
Jan 5, 2015, 4:51 pm
#63
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,842
couple of questions on SDC:
if i have a flight say LAX-SFO-ORD..
as i understand it,i can only push out the flight from sfo -ord to extend past
the 4 hr layover cut once i arrive in sfo-is that correct?
is it easy to do?
also is int bus,dom first award class RN?
thanks
if i have a flight say LAX-SFO-ORD..
as i understand it,i can only push out the flight from sfo -ord to extend past
the 4 hr layover cut once i arrive in sfo-is that correct?
is it easy to do?
also is int bus,dom first award class RN?
thanks
Jan 5, 2015, 4:56 pm
#64
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
If you are Plat, SDC is irrelevant. No change fee for awards. Change it whenever you like. For GS/1K/Plat, a standard F award is basically the same as a fully refundable F ticket.
Jan 5, 2015, 6:45 pm
#65
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MP Gold, 1MM, Global Entry
Posts: 470
couple of questions on SDC:
if i have a flight say LAX-SFO-ORD..
as i understand it,i can only push out the flight from sfo -ord to extend past
the 4 hr layover cut once i arrive in sfo-is that correct?
is it easy to do?
also is int bus,dom first award class RN?
thanks
if i have a flight say LAX-SFO-ORD..
as i understand it,i can only push out the flight from sfo -ord to extend past
the 4 hr layover cut once i arrive in sfo-is that correct?
is it easy to do?
also is int bus,dom first award class RN?
thanks
upgrades are R or RN class.
Here is a list of award fare classes:
Saver Award Seats
O - Saver 3-cabin First Award
IN - Elite (Plat/1K/GS) Saver Business or 2-cabin First Award
I - Non-Elite and Low Elite Saver Business or 2-cabin First Award
XN - Elite Saver Coach Award
X - Non-Elite Saver Coach Award
Standard Award Seats
FN - Standard 3-cabin First Award
JN - Elite/CC Standard Business or 2-cabin First Award
ZN - Non-Elite Standard Business or 2-cabin First Award (tracks to the Z bucket)
YN - Elite/CC Standard Coach Award
HN - Non-Elite Standard Coach Award (tracks to the H bucket)
Upgrade Awards
ON - C->F on 3-cabin aircraft
JN - Y-Up for Elites (tracks to the J bucket, i.e. last seat availability)
PN - B/M-Up for Elites (tracks to the P bucket); All GS upgrades Y->C (CPU, RPU, GPU, miles)
R - Upgrade to Business/Domestic F (except GS)
RN - This has recently been reported to be internal-use only, not elite upgrades. The reality of that report is not yet clear.
Jan 5, 2015, 7:07 pm
#66
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
T
Upgrade Awards
ON - C->F on 3-cabin aircraft
JN - Y-Up for Elites (tracks to the J bucket, i.e. last seat availability)
PN - Y/B/M-Up for Elites(tracks to the P bucket); All GS upgrades Y->C (CPU, RPU, GPU, miles)
R - Upgrade to Business/Domestic F (except GS)
RN - This has recently been reported to be internal-use only, not elite upgrades. The reality of that report is not yet clear.
Upgrade Awards
ON - C->F on 3-cabin aircraft
PN - Y/B/M-Up for Elites
R - Upgrade to Business/Domestic F (except GS)
RN - This has recently been reported to be internal-use only, not elite upgrades. The reality of that report is not yet clear.
Finally, I question the separate listing of RN, that is an irrelevancy.
Jan 5, 2015, 7:14 pm
#67
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MP Gold, 1MM, Global Entry
Posts: 470
As for RN, I have never witnessed R to be different from RN (this list was saved from a FT wiki a couple years ago)...
Last edited by azzurro; Jan 5, 2015 at 7:20 pm
Jan 5, 2015, 7:25 pm
#68
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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I've never seen R differ from RN either, and upgrades pretty uniformly clear into R.
I'm not sure what it means to say that PN "tracks" to P, but to the extent it suggests that open P means open PN, that would not be correct.
Jan 5, 2015, 9:17 pm
#69
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,842
To SDC you will need to check after T-24 for takeoff of the last segment you wish to change, so if that occurs while you are in the air, you can do it upon landing, or via the United app on a flight with wifi. The SDC options can change significantly for the better or worse over T-24 to T-1. Take the best one you are willing to change to and keep checking back for a different change.
i tried previously to sdc a connecting flight,but was told could not extend the connection time more than 4hrs
i.e. LAX -SFO-ORD.
fly LAX to SFO but want to sdc the sfo-ord to a later time..
was told couldnt as transfer time in sfo would be more than 4hrs..
is this correct and is there a way round it?e.g.try to change after arrive in sfo?
thnaks
Jan 5, 2015, 9:30 pm
#70
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: PHL
Programs: United 1K, American Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 430
thanks-but i dont really follow the explanation..sorry if question wasnt clear
i tried previously to sdc a connecting flight,but was told could not extend the connection time more than 4hrs
i.e. LAX -SFO-ORD.
fly LAX to SFO but want to sdc the sfo-ord to a later time..
was told couldnt as transfer time in sfo would be more than 4hrs..
is this correct and is there a way round it?e.g.try to change after arrive in sfo?
thnaks
i tried previously to sdc a connecting flight,but was told could not extend the connection time more than 4hrs
i.e. LAX -SFO-ORD.
fly LAX to SFO but want to sdc the sfo-ord to a later time..
was told couldnt as transfer time in sfo would be more than 4hrs..
is this correct and is there a way round it?e.g.try to change after arrive in sfo?
thnaks
As far as the 4 hour connection time. Yeah yeah, true. That's what the agent says and that's the party line. Though it's definitely possible to SDC your next segment after you land. The app can let you do it if it's an option.
Finally, I'll add this. When your connection to the next city is tight, and you're in danger of missing your connection, United sometimes automatically rebooks you to a later flight. Checking your app, you see a red exclamation point and you'll find a confirmed seat on a later flight. You get some sob story about "we're sorry for the inconvenience". You get a "free pass" to manipulate your next flight. Well, that's not really SDC any more--that's IRROPS, though it's something to think about if you like playing the flight change game. Sometimes you WANT to (nearly) or (really) miss your connection so you can manipulate future flights. I don't know what your connection in SFO is like, though that's something to think about.
Last edited by Ruhr; Jan 5, 2015 at 9:41 pm
Jan 5, 2015, 9:54 pm
#71
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,240
SDC to Convoluted Routing
Is it possible to SDC from a simple routing like SFO-PVG to a more convoluted routing like SFO-EWR-PVG to get more miles?
Jan 5, 2015, 10:00 pm
#72
Join Date: May 2007
Location: variously: PVG, SFO, LHR
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA 1MM Gold, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 1,678
Sure, although has to be done over the phone and sometimes it takes some convincing an agent to let you. As long as the routing is valid for your fare, you should be able to switch to it.
Jan 5, 2015, 10:51 pm
#73
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,240
Jan 5, 2015, 11:04 pm
#74
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,917
From the wiki, it seems that it is a phone-only but wanted to double check.
If i have a PVG-SFO 016 ticketed (PVG-NRT-SFO) with PVG-NRT on UA-coded codeshare with NH, and NRT-SFO on UA metal, can I SDC switch to the PVG-SFO nonstop?
If i have a PVG-SFO 016 ticketed (PVG-NRT-SFO) with PVG-NRT on UA-coded codeshare with NH, and NRT-SFO on UA metal, can I SDC switch to the PVG-SFO nonstop?
Jan 5, 2015, 11:12 pm
#75
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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That's technically against the rules, but a "maybe" if you call.