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 14, 2015, 9:52 am
#106
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 498
I have an upcoming flight booked into A fare, AAA-BBB-CCC. However, the first segment AAA-BBB is single cabin equipment so books into Y fare. Can I SDC into a later flight that does have F cabin using A availability?
I am also curious how in general UA treats tickets that combine multiple fare class on a single ticket? What fare class rules?
I am also curious how in general UA treats tickets that combine multiple fare class on a single ticket? What fare class rules?
This isn't a guarantee however, it's theoretically possible (although unlikely unless you purchased under a government/corporate contract) that you bought an AAA-BBB Y fare. It will make SDCs easy, and as an elite makes you eligible for the premier instant upgrade (higher priority than instruments/CPU), but you won't be able to confirm the A seat.
To see how an active itinerary is fared check out the Saudi Airlines website (search by eticket number, put 016 in the first box and everything else in the second box).
Jan 15, 2015, 5:06 am
#107
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Just outside Big D, or many other places in big metal tubes
Programs: WN Rpd.Rwrds, AA, was longtime CO very top Elite tier, Overentitled UA Lifetime 1K (since 2012)
Posts: 1,334
A few questions:
A) does it help or hurt to have checked in?
B) does it hurt (it likely doesn't help) to have an upgrade applied?
I recall seeing that website was offering > 24 hour change flight options for no charge, but I guess that must have been during a weather incident although I can't specifically recall. It must have been a IRROP for the website to allow > 24 hour changes? Or perhaps I was imagining it. I think it was to fly into SFO just ahead of one of their recent monsoons.
Generally to try to get a > 24 hour SDC is it better to try
a) website
b) phone app
c) phone agent
d) counter agent
other tips and tricks?
In case it matters, specifically, I have a IAD to SFO on Friday evening and would like to change to one of the Thursday afternoon flts. Tempted to just show up at airport on Thursday afternoon with fingers crossed. Should at least make the 24hour Thursday night flight.
Thanks for any help.
A) does it help or hurt to have checked in?
B) does it hurt (it likely doesn't help) to have an upgrade applied?
I recall seeing that website was offering > 24 hour change flight options for no charge, but I guess that must have been during a weather incident although I can't specifically recall. It must have been a IRROP for the website to allow > 24 hour changes? Or perhaps I was imagining it. I think it was to fly into SFO just ahead of one of their recent monsoons.
Generally to try to get a > 24 hour SDC is it better to try
a) website
b) phone app
c) phone agent
d) counter agent
other tips and tricks?
In case it matters, specifically, I have a IAD to SFO on Friday evening and would like to change to one of the Thursday afternoon flts. Tempted to just show up at airport on Thursday afternoon with fingers crossed. Should at least make the 24hour Thursday night flight.
Thanks for any help.
(A) You must first uncheckin before doing a SDC, so if you know in advance you will attempt a SDC, if you checkin for original flight, it takes the extra step to uncheckin.
(B)The SDC is based upon your original purchased fare, not the upgrade. There are varying reports in the WIKI regarding whether the upgrade helps (like getting into a Y) when speaking to an accommodating agent.
a,b,c,d: try website first, then do others if necessary... you can see in advance on the website if the fare bucket for your original flight is available for your hoped-for flight change
You said you wanted to do a SDC from Friday night to Thursday afternoon.
You cannot do this without paying a change fee because the flight you change to needs to be within 24 hours of your original flight.
If your Thursday night flight is within 24 hours of your original Friday night flight, then SDC is possible, if your fare bucket is available. You will need to go to the airport Thursday night first before making the SDC.
Example: original flight 5:26 PM Friday, hoped for flight 6:59PM or 7:59 PM Thursday, can do SDC after 5:26 PM Thurs., if fare bucket available. You will need to be at the airport to do the SDC to allow time for performing SDC, printing out new boarding pass, baggage checkin, security, long lines.
You will be cutting it close for the 6:59 PM flight, if it is on time. You may want to check in advance if it is on time.
If SDC not available, then decide whether to spend the money to pay the difference to the next highest available fare, or spend the money on a hotel, or sleep in the airport and take the earliest available Friday morning flight.
Last edited by mkr; Jan 15, 2015 at 12:22 pm Reason: clarity on 5:26 PM time for 24 hour window
Jan 15, 2015, 8:03 am
#108
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 69
I wanted to give a data point. Tried to SDC online via change flights button at 24 hours out. Showed change fee and fare difference. I then decided to check in and selected search other flight options. This worked liked a charm. No change fee and no fare difference.
Thanks to everyone on the forum for the great advice. I would have never known how to do this without the boards.
Thanks to everyone on the forum for the great advice. I would have never known how to do this without the boards.
Jan 15, 2015, 12:02 pm
#109
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DC
Programs: UA, SPG, Amtrak
Posts: 145
(A) You must first uncheckin before doing a SDC, so if you know in advance you will attempt a SDC, if you checkin for original flight, it takes the extra step to uncheckin. [BUT SEE BELOW]
(B)The SDC is based upon your original purchased fare, not the upgrade. There are varying reports in the WIKI regarding whether the upgrade helps (like getting into a Y) when speaking to an accommodating agent.
a,b,c,d: try website first, then do others if necessary...
You said you wanted to do a SDC from Friday night to Thursday afternoon.
You cannot do this without paying a change fee because the flight you change to needs to be within 24 hours of your original flight.
Example: original flight 5:26 PM Friday, hoped for flight 6:59PM or 7:59 PM Thursday, can do SDC after 5:30 PM Thurs., if fare bucket available. You will need to be at the airport to do the SDC to allow time for performing SDC,
Jan 15, 2015, 12:34 pm
#110
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Just outside Big D, or many other places in big metal tubes
Programs: WN Rpd.Rwrds, AA, was longtime CO very top Elite tier, Overentitled UA Lifetime 1K (since 2012)
Posts: 1,334
mre2b9 just a polite suggestion , if one is qoing to quote other posts, as you did in your post, one needs to indicate "........." where sections of the quote have been cut by you. Your cuts of quotes can not only change the original meaning by the former poster, but it is against the rules of Flyertalk to make cuts in quotes of others posts without indicating with "....." that cuts have been made.
If one inserts new information into quotes of another poster, as you did in your post, one needs to indicate that the insertion of new material was done by the new poster. These are the rules of FT that we all need to abide by for clarity of information and to not change the meaning of posts that have already been made that we are quoting.
Thanks for your understanding of this.
If one inserts new information into quotes of another poster, as you did in your post, one needs to indicate that the insertion of new material was done by the new poster. These are the rules of FT that we all need to abide by for clarity of information and to not change the meaning of posts that have already been made that we are quoting.
Thanks for your understanding of this.
Jan 16, 2015, 8:20 am
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Question on LAX-CLE-BOS: $333 W fare + $169 buy up to P
Purchased a reasonable fare yesterday. LAX-CLE-BOS in W. Upgraded LAX-CLE to P during the confirmation process for $169. (CLE-BOS on a 145 Jet).
As I get within 24 hours of the flight, will SDC allow other routings with P? Or will the pricing restrict me to P + W fares?
As I get within 24 hours of the flight, will SDC allow other routings with P? Or will the pricing restrict me to P + W fares?
Jan 16, 2015, 11:09 am
#112
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: A3 *G, AA exePlat, AS MVP 75k Gold, JL sapphire, UA silver
Posts: 4,035
does SDC really reissued the ticket? i never receive a receipt when i do a SDC.
i have an NH ticket withr the last 2 segments NRT SFO LAX. any one has experiece in SDC the SFO LAX segment?
also. i have another ticket
LAX IAH (overnight) IAD DXB BEY ........
at T-24 for LAX IAH, will I be able to SDC for either an earlier flight or change of routing?
i have an NH ticket withr the last 2 segments NRT SFO LAX. any one has experiece in SDC the SFO LAX segment?
also. i have another ticket
LAX IAH (overnight) IAD DXB BEY ........
at T-24 for LAX IAH, will I be able to SDC for either an earlier flight or change of routing?
Jan 16, 2015, 12:21 pm
#113
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 20
On a 016 ticket operated by non-UA, are we still able to make SDC? Or is this against the rules?
Jan 16, 2015, 1:36 pm
#114
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
Jan 16, 2015, 7:11 pm
#115
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
Jan 17, 2015, 9:19 am
#116
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BDL
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier Gold
Posts: 84
Has anyone tried switching airports between DFW-IAH to DAL-IAH or vice-versa using SDC or SDS? A search of the thread shows the S*FAR/STANDBY link in the wiki specifying three city pairs (IAD/DCA, ORD/MDW, JFK/EWR, all at UA hubs)
Jan 19, 2015, 2:21 pm
#117
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
Tomorrow 10am flight DEN-PHL. I want to SDC to the 11:20am flight tomorrow DEN-ORD-PHL. I'm flying on a U fare, SDC to another U fare and UAL.com is looking for $209 plus $200 change fee. I don't get it. Within 24 hours of first flight? Yes. Withing 24 hours of the flight I want to which I'd like to change? Yes.
Glitch?
Glitch?
Jan 19, 2015, 2:22 pm
#118
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1k, SPG Plat 100
Posts: 619
Tomorrow 10am flight DEN-PHL. I want to SDC to the 11:20am flight tomorrow DEN-ORD-PHL. I'm flying on a U fare, SDC to another U fare and UAL.com is looking for $209 plus $200 change fee. I don't get it. Within 24 hours of first flight? Yes. Withing 24 hours of the flight I want to which I'd like to change? Yes.
Glitch?
Glitch?
Jan 19, 2015, 2:26 pm
#119
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
Jan 19, 2015, 2:30 pm
#120
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,484