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}
Jul 13, 2016, 10:00 am
#1411
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Possible I'm mistaken, but I don't believe this is ever the case. There just needs to be U bucket availability (at least if the outbound is flown - they will reprice the entire ticket if nothing flown yet). There either is - and just change fee (no fare difference) - or there isn't (and then there is a fare difference as well).
That's not going to be applicable here. Pax has already met the purchase restrictions for the U (such as they are).
Jul 13, 2016, 11:03 am
#1412
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
DAY/TIME FROM UNITED STATES -
PERMITTED SUN THROUGH WED ON EACH TRANSATLANTIC
SECTOR.
TO UNITED STATES -
PERMITTED MON THROUGH THU ON EACH TRANSATLANTIC
SECTOR.
PERMITTED SUN THROUGH WED ON EACH TRANSATLANTIC
SECTOR.
TO UNITED STATES -
PERMITTED MON THROUGH THU ON EACH TRANSATLANTIC
SECTOR.
SEASONALITY PERMITTED 13MAY16 THROUGH 22AUG16 OR 12MAY17 THROUGH
19AUG17 ON THE OUTBOUND TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR. SEASON
IS BASED ON DATE OF ORIGIN.
19AUG17 ON THE OUTBOUND TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR. SEASON
IS BASED ON DATE OF ORIGIN.
PENALTIES
...
CHANGES
ANY TIME
CHARGE USD 300.00.
...
IF CHANGES ARE MADE TO OTHER THAN THE FIRST
TICKETED FLIGHT / THE FARE LEVELS IN EFFECT
AT TIME OF ORIGINAL TICKET ISSUE WILL APPLY
PROVIDED THE NEW ITINERARY QUALIFIES FOR
ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORIGINALLY
TICKETED FARE BASIS CODE/BOOKING CODE
IGNORING ADVANCE RESERVATION OR TICKETING
REQUIREMENTS.
...
OR
--
IF THE NEW ITINERARY QUALIFIES FOR THE
ORIGINAL BOOKING CODE TICKETED FARE /
BUT RESULTS IN FARE DIFFERENCE DUE TO
SEASONALITY / DAY OF WEEK TRAVEL /
CHANGE TO FARE BREAK POINT
--
TAG 2 - HISTORICAL FARES / REPRICE USING
FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TICKET WAS ISSUED.
...
CHANGES
ANY TIME
CHARGE USD 300.00.
...
IF CHANGES ARE MADE TO OTHER THAN THE FIRST
TICKETED FLIGHT / THE FARE LEVELS IN EFFECT
AT TIME OF ORIGINAL TICKET ISSUE WILL APPLY
PROVIDED THE NEW ITINERARY QUALIFIES FOR
ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORIGINALLY
TICKETED FARE BASIS CODE/BOOKING CODE
IGNORING ADVANCE RESERVATION OR TICKETING
REQUIREMENTS.
...
OR
--
IF THE NEW ITINERARY QUALIFIES FOR THE
ORIGINAL BOOKING CODE TICKETED FARE /
BUT RESULTS IN FARE DIFFERENCE DUE TO
SEASONALITY / DAY OF WEEK TRAVEL /
CHANGE TO FARE BREAK POINT
--
TAG 2 - HISTORICAL FARES / REPRICE USING
FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TICKET WAS ISSUED.
Now, for the OP, changing from a Friday to a Saturday, it's unlikely to be a problem -- transoceanic fares with day-of-week restrictions tend to be "M-Th" and "F-Su" -- but I hate giving incomplete advice and then having somebody get surprised in the future when they read this thread and don't understand all of the nuances. :-)
Jul 13, 2016, 12:25 pm
#1413
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,196
Here is an example set of rules (UHX03RCE, EWR/AMS, roundtrip in August):
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but as I read this, UA reserves the right to reprice if, in this case, the flyer changes a return flight from a Thursday to a Friday (or from August to October). Advance purchase restrictions are time-of-ticketing restrictions are waived, but day of week and seasonality are specifically not waived. (I would guess that minimum / maximum stay requirements are also not waived, but it doesn't say so here).
Now, for the OP, changing from a Friday to a Saturday, it's unlikely to be a problem -- transoceanic fares with day-of-week restrictions tend to be "M-Th" and "F-Su" -- but I hate giving incomplete advice and then having somebody get surprised in the future when they read this thread and don't understand all of the nuances. :-)
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but as I read this, UA reserves the right to reprice if, in this case, the flyer changes a return flight from a Thursday to a Friday (or from August to October). Advance purchase restrictions are time-of-ticketing restrictions are waived, but day of week and seasonality are specifically not waived. (I would guess that minimum / maximum stay requirements are also not waived, but it doesn't say so here).
Now, for the OP, changing from a Friday to a Saturday, it's unlikely to be a problem -- transoceanic fares with day-of-week restrictions tend to be "M-Th" and "F-Su" -- but I hate giving incomplete advice and then having somebody get surprised in the future when they read this thread and don't understand all of the nuances. :-)
In practice, they don't. While it's possible that an agent might take the time to read the rules and go through the process of enforcing them, most agents (IME) don't, and the automated system definitely doesn't. (And if you do get a super-careful agent, just HUACA.
)
Jul 13, 2016, 12:39 pm
#1414
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 786
Day Before Standby Question
Hello all,
I am booked on EWR-LAS and then LAS-EWR.
On the return leg I have the first flight of the morning Sunday (6:00am) UAL 548.
Is it possible to Standby for the last flight of the night Saturday 11:46pm?
I booked the trip thru priceline vacation packages as the last minute round trip airfare was $1,300 and priceline nearly cut it 1/2 with a 4.5 star hotel so needless to say I really didn't have a say in what time the return was.
When I tried selecting Saturday return it wanted me to return at 9am-1pm with a stop which didn't work for me since the convention runs till 5pm on Saturday.
I am booked on EWR-LAS and then LAS-EWR.
On the return leg I have the first flight of the morning Sunday (6:00am) UAL 548.
Is it possible to Standby for the last flight of the night Saturday 11:46pm?
I booked the trip thru priceline vacation packages as the last minute round trip airfare was $1,300 and priceline nearly cut it 1/2 with a 4.5 star hotel so needless to say I really didn't have a say in what time the return was.
When I tried selecting Saturday return it wanted me to return at 9am-1pm with a stop which didn't work for me since the convention runs till 5pm on Saturday.
Jul 13, 2016, 12:52 pm
#1415
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
Now that I can't argue with. :-) Although, in this case, we're no longer talking about an SDC, but rather a change more than 24 hours out. But, I can still certainly see agents not noticing / caring about this level of detail.
Last edited by jsloan; Jul 13, 2016 at 12:54 pm Reason: not SDC
Jul 13, 2016, 1:24 pm
#1416
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
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but as I read this, UA reserves the right to reprice if, in this case, the flyer changes a return flight from a Thursday to a Friday (or from August to October). Advance purchase restrictions are time-of-ticketing restrictions are waived, but day of week and seasonality are specifically not waived. (I would guess that minimum / maximum stay requirements are also not waived, but it doesn't say so here).
Now, for the OP, changing from a Friday to a Saturday, it's unlikely to be a problem -- transoceanic fares with day-of-week restrictions tend to be "M-Th" and "F-Su" -- but I hate giving incomplete advice and then having somebody get surprised in the future when they read this thread and don't understand all of the nuances. :-)
Per truncated's post, this appears to be a fare bucket availability problem, which does not bode well for the desired SDC.
Jul 13, 2016, 1:39 pm
#1417
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
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Ah, I didn't read carefully enough. (I thought we were talking about SDCs, since this is the SDC thread after all.)
Jul 13, 2016, 1:42 pm
#1418
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Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
I agree changing from Thursday to Friday would implicate that rule, but guessing the reprice would probably be about $100 more, as that would be the typical (approximate) cost of the change from a Thursday to Friday departure.
Also agree not applicable where, as here, changing from Friday to Saturday (and that the thorough analysis is helpful).
Per truncated's post, this appears to be a fare bucket availability problem, which does not bode well for the desired SDC.
Also agree not applicable where, as here, changing from Friday to Saturday (and that the thorough analysis is helpful).
Per truncated's post, this appears to be a fare bucket availability problem, which does not bode well for the desired SDC.
Jul 13, 2016, 1:54 pm
#1419
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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Posts: 14,891
I bet a lot of people assumed the premier benefits carryover when using a Premier member's miles to book a non-premier an award ticket was a limitation. But in reality - it was something they never bothered to fix in the past. They eventually put resources in to fix it. My guess is they could easily do that to incorporrate fare-specific routing rules to SDC.
Jul 13, 2016, 2:10 pm
#1420
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
so here's where it's weird (and this is not an SDC thing).
the flight i want to switch to on Saturday shows plenty of U space...in fact is shows plenty of space
J9/JN9/C9/D9/Z9/P9/PN9/R6/RN6/IN0/I0/Y7/YN7/B7/M7/E7/U7/H7/Q7/V7/W7/S7/T7 L-X ARE 0'S.
But yet when i change from Friday the 22nd to the 23rd they want another $1000k in change fee and fare-up. what makes that U fare so much more?
based on that availability i think i should be able to pull off the double SDC-- but would prefer to just pay a fee and be done with it-- but not sure why its so much more....
thanks,
the flight i want to switch to on Saturday shows plenty of U space...in fact is shows plenty of space
J9/JN9/C9/D9/Z9/P9/PN9/R6/RN6/IN0/I0/Y7/YN7/B7/M7/E7/U7/H7/Q7/V7/W7/S7/T7 L-X ARE 0'S.
But yet when i change from Friday the 22nd to the 23rd they want another $1000k in change fee and fare-up. what makes that U fare so much more?
based on that availability i think i should be able to pull off the double SDC-- but would prefer to just pay a fee and be done with it-- but not sure why its so much more....
thanks,
Jul 13, 2016, 2:39 pm
#1421
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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so here's where it's weird (and this is not an SDC thing).
the flight i want to switch to on Saturday shows plenty of U space...in fact is shows plenty of space
J9/JN9/C9/D9/Z9/P9/PN9/R6/RN6/IN0/I0/Y7/YN7/B7/M7/E7/U7/H7/Q7/V7/W7/S7/T7 L-X ARE 0'S.
But yet when i change from Friday the 22nd to the 23rd they want another $1000k in change fee and fare-up. what makes that U fare so much more?
the flight i want to switch to on Saturday shows plenty of U space...in fact is shows plenty of space
J9/JN9/C9/D9/Z9/P9/PN9/R6/RN6/IN0/I0/Y7/YN7/B7/M7/E7/U7/H7/Q7/V7/W7/S7/T7 L-X ARE 0'S.
But yet when i change from Friday the 22nd to the 23rd they want another $1000k in change fee and fare-up. what makes that U fare so much more?
Jul 13, 2016, 2:45 pm
#1422
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
no-- flight is monday afternoon. so if i call after the flight leaves i'll have a better chance making the change?
Jul 13, 2016, 2:58 pm
#1423
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
Yes it is possible, and starting 6am Saturday when you can begin to check in, it will offer you that possibility *if it is available*. (look under "choose different flight options" at the checkin screen sequence)
Depending on whether you have status, it will also charge / waive a same day change fee anywhere from $0 to $75.
Depending on whether you have status, it will also charge / waive a same day change fee anywhere from $0 to $75.
Jul 13, 2016, 3:03 pm
#1424
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Jul 13, 2016, 3:05 pm
#1425
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: DL PM, OZ Diamond Plus, BA Silver
Posts: 1,803
Yes — you want to do a Same-Day Change (SDC) — see this thread for more info: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...15-2016-a.html