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}
May 11, 2018, 7:34 pm
#3766
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 532
Complimentary Same Day Flight Change
As UA Gold, I get same day free flight change. When flying into or out of a WAS airport (IAD, DCA, BWI) will I get the option to fly into or out of a different WAS airport, or will I only get offered a free same day flight change for the same airport as my original flight?
May 11, 2018, 7:44 pm
#3767
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
As UA Gold, I get same day free flight change. When flying into or out of a WAS airport (IAD, DCA, BWI) will I get the option to fly into or out of a different WAS airport, or will I only get offered a free same day flight change for the same airport as my original flight?
May 15, 2018, 9:33 am
#3769
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Marriott Plat
Posts: 946
My grandparents are on EWR - LAX tomorrow and are hoping to change to a flight on Thursday instead. Doesn't seem like sdc will work as the new flight is 24 hours after the old one.
But... UA has a weather waiver up for today at EWR Could they sdc to a flight today, then use the waiver to switch to the Thursday flight?
But... UA has a weather waiver up for today at EWR Could they sdc to a flight today, then use the waiver to switch to the Thursday flight?
May 15, 2018, 10:01 am
#3770
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Programs: UA 1K, UA .53 MM, Marriott Gold, Nexus, GE, TSA Pre, Hertz PC
Posts: 581
Flying GRR-ORD-SFO on an M-fare.
Cleared into F on GRR-ORD and got snubbed on ORD-SFO. SDC'd to ORD-ATL-SFO that had PN1 on both legs. Called the 1K desk and they were able to confirm seats in F on both legs. Longer travel day, more BIS, more PQM, but all confirmed in F...the life of a domestic 1K.
Cleared into F on GRR-ORD and got snubbed on ORD-SFO. SDC'd to ORD-ATL-SFO that had PN1 on both legs. Called the 1K desk and they were able to confirm seats in F on both legs. Longer travel day, more BIS, more PQM, but all confirmed in F...the life of a domestic 1K.
May 15, 2018, 10:08 am
#3771
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
My grandparents are on EWR - LAX tomorrow and are hoping to change to a flight on Thursday instead. Doesn't seem like sdc will work as the new flight is 24 hours after the old one.
But... UA has a weather waiver up for today at EWR Could they sdc to a flight today, then use the waiver to switch to the Thursday flight?
But... UA has a weather waiver up for today at EWR Could they sdc to a flight today, then use the waiver to switch to the Thursday flight?
The Weather Waiver States: The change fee and any difference in fare will be waived for new United flights departing on or before May 18, 2018, as long as travel is rescheduled in the originally ticketed cabin (any fare class) and between the same cities as originally ticketed.
May 15, 2018, 10:13 am
#3772
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Programs: UA 1K, UA .53 MM, Marriott Gold, Nexus, GE, TSA Pre, Hertz PC
Posts: 581
Flying GRR-ORD-SFO on an M-fare.
Cleared into F on GRR-ORD and got snubbed on ORD-SFO. SDC'd to ORD-ATL-SFO that had PN1 on both legs. Called the 1K desk and they were able to confirm seats in F on both legs. Longer travel day, more BIS, more PQM, but all confirmed in F...the life of a domestic 1K.
Cleared into F on GRR-ORD and got snubbed on ORD-SFO. SDC'd to ORD-ATL-SFO that had PN1 on both legs. Called the 1K desk and they were able to confirm seats in F on both legs. Longer travel day, more BIS, more PQM, but all confirmed in F...the life of a domestic 1K.
Was this due to the fact that my M fare was converted to PN? I looked at these flights previously, and I was only able to SDC into Y.
May 15, 2018, 10:15 am
#3773
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Just logged into my reservation to change seats for ORD-ATL and ATL-SFO. I looked at my SDC options, and now I was able to SDC to ORD-LAX-SFO in confirmed F.
Was this due to the fact that my M fare was converted to PN? I looked at these flights previously, and I was only able to SDC into Y.
Was this due to the fact that my M fare was converted to PN? I looked at these flights previously, and I was only able to SDC into Y.
May 15, 2018, 6:21 pm
#3775
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
If UA curtails SDCs, it's going to be because of exactly this kind of day -- especially given that you were in PN.
May 15, 2018, 7:16 pm
#3776
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,889
My grandparents are on EWR - LAX tomorrow and are hoping to change to a flight on Thursday instead. Doesn't seem like sdc will work as the new flight is 24 hours after the old one.
But... UA has a weather waiver up for today at EWR Could they sdc to a flight today, then use the waiver to switch to the Thursday flight?
But... UA has a weather waiver up for today at EWR Could they sdc to a flight today, then use the waiver to switch to the Thursday flight?
May 16, 2018, 7:06 am
#3777
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,344
I've read other reports about RN -> RN but that seems to be a bug as only lower level elites even get into RN. Not sure how UA calculated that one.
-RM
May 16, 2018, 8:05 am
#3778
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
For all we know, the "fix" has been rolled out two or three times already and then rolled back because they didn't get it right. Keep in mind, there was a period of time when SDC seemed to disappear entirely, and there was another time when all of the creative routings seemed to dry up. There was also a period of time where it seemed to require the underlying fare basis to be available for doing front-cabin domestic SDCs.
In other words, I agree that it's entirely possible -- even likely -- that SDCs will be restricted at some point. And, if that happens, I don't think any of us will enjoy the result.
In other words, I agree that it's entirely possible -- even likely -- that SDCs will be restricted at some point. And, if that happens, I don't think any of us will enjoy the result.
The added schedule flexiblity was nice, especially when, as sometimes, the later direct flights are randomly full, and I can't help but wonder if peoples' boasts or indiscreet posts here contributed to a tightening.
May 16, 2018, 8:34 am
#3779
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
I actually would believe that you're onto something, and that the 'fix(es)' have already been rolled out, although of course that's not to say they won't tweak things further. For about the past 1.5–2 months, I am not seeing any 'go east to go west'-type options, or at least not until a leg is flown. This is in contrast to earlier this year when things like ORD-IAD-SFO would sometimes show up if inventory availability lined up. (I seem to recall someone reporting getting LAX-EWR-SFO, but I'm unsure of what were the circumstances.)
The added schedule flexiblity was nice, especially when, as sometimes, the later direct flights are randomly full, and I can't help but wonder if peoples' boasts or indiscreet posts here contributed to a tightening.
The added schedule flexiblity was nice, especially when, as sometimes, the later direct flights are randomly full, and I can't help but wonder if peoples' boasts or indiscreet posts here contributed to a tightening.
May 16, 2018, 8:57 am
#3780
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
Yeah, I don't know how exactly that would have been implemented. Geographically speaking (and reading tea leaves), it seems to allow overshoot connections (like EWR-LAX-DEN) but not counter-directional initial travel currently (like DEN-LAX-EWR).