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}
Aug 6, 2018, 8:29 am
#4186
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,846
What do you think??
I have an LAX-EWR-CLT itinerary ( G Fare ) at the end of September. I arrive at EWR on a Thursday morning My connection to CLT is a few hours later. What's your thoughts on rolling a SDC for a few days and keep on rolling to either Sunday night or Monday morning? I don't know that route and curious to know what you think. Thanks in advance
Last edited by Flying Machine; Aug 6, 2018 at 8:39 am
Aug 6, 2018, 9:03 am
#4187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,337
I have an LAX-EWR-CLT itinerary ( G Fare ) at the end of September. I arrive at EWR on a Thursday morning My connection to CLT is a few hours later. What's your thoughts on rolling a SDC for a few days and keep on rolling to either Sunday night or Monday morning? I don't know that route and curious to know what you think. Thanks in advance
-RM
Aug 6, 2018, 9:08 am
#4188
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,846
Your post doesn't clarify what you want to roll. The entire trip or just EWR-CLT? "G" is the lowest regular economy fare so I put your chances at super slim to nearly impossible for being able to SDC. EWR on a Friday/Sunday/Monday is very hard to route through and have open fare buckets. Not impossible by any means but I put your chances at 0-2%. If you want to SDC the entire ticket then you have routing options via IAD/IAH/ORD at least.
-RM
-RM
Aug 6, 2018, 9:21 am
#4189
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,369
Also, it can often be challenging (in the app / online) to SDC to a flight you're already on, if that's what you were trying to do. If you were trying to get back onto the same IAH-MID flight you already had booked, often that option won't appear and you'll have to call.
I don't know why the UA agent was running into problems helping you, but I don't think there's a change here.
Aug 6, 2018, 11:21 am
#4190
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 181
Booked SFO-IAH-LGA. Looking at SDC, offered what appears to be a direct SFO-LGA on a 772(!) - option appears in both app and on website:
Of course flying time is too good to be true, plus direct SFO-LGA? No seat map available, but checking on ExpertFlyer, it's actually a connection through DEN, with DEN-LGA leg on an A320, arriving LGA 11:19PM. It's still all listed as UA1858, though.
I guess this isn't actually a SDC question, but I've never seen the phenomenon before. Is it a glitch, or is it common?
(Apology for image size - expected it to resize, no time to edit...)
Of course flying time is too good to be true, plus direct SFO-LGA? No seat map available, but checking on ExpertFlyer, it's actually a connection through DEN, with DEN-LGA leg on an A320, arriving LGA 11:19PM. It's still all listed as UA1858, though.
I guess this isn't actually a SDC question, but I've never seen the phenomenon before. Is it a glitch, or is it common?
(Apology for image size - expected it to resize, no time to edit...)
Aug 6, 2018, 11:44 am
#4191
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Booked SFO-IAH-LGA. Looking at SDC, offered what appears to be a direct SFO-LGA on a 772(!) - option appears in both app and on website:
Of course flying time is too good to be true, plus direct SFO-LGA? No seat map available, but checking on ExpertFlyer, it's actually a connection through DEN, with DEN-LGA leg on an A320, arriving LGA 11:19PM. It's still all listed as UA1858, though.
I guess this isn't actually a SDC question, but I've never seen the phenomenon before. Is it a glitch, or is it common?
(Apology for image size - expected it to resize, no time to edit...)
Of course flying time is too good to be true, plus direct SFO-LGA? No seat map available, but checking on ExpertFlyer, it's actually a connection through DEN, with DEN-LGA leg on an A320, arriving LGA 11:19PM. It's still all listed as UA1858, though.
I guess this isn't actually a SDC question, but I've never seen the phenomenon before. Is it a glitch, or is it common?
(Apology for image size - expected it to resize, no time to edit...)
1)UA doesn't operate SFO-LGA nonstop
2) Most certainly doesn't fly 772's into LGA
3) the time makes no-sense. that is a glitch however, as it's showing you the SFO-DEN time, completely leaving out the next time. There was a post about this a couple pages ago.
Aug 6, 2018, 11:47 am
#4192
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,369
I've never seen this behavior on the web before. I could easily see someone taking that flight by mistake, not knowing what they were getting. UA really needs to fix this.
Aug 6, 2018, 11:50 am
#4193
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,427
It's a direct flight, that's why you're running into this (the flight number is the same). It's not super common, but a lot of us would know something is up as:
1)UA doesn't operate SFO-LGA nonstop
2) Most certainly doesn't fly 772's into LGA
3) the time makes no-sense. that is a glitch however, as it's showing you the SFO-DEN time, completely leaving out the next time. There was a post about this a couple pages ago.
1)UA doesn't operate SFO-LGA nonstop
2) Most certainly doesn't fly 772's into LGA
3) the time makes no-sense. that is a glitch however, as it's showing you the SFO-DEN time, completely leaving out the next time. There was a post about this a couple pages ago.
Given it's THREE time zones would make it a 40 minute flight
Aug 6, 2018, 12:25 pm
#4194
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 181
It's a direct flight, that's why you're running into this (the flight number is the same). It's not super common, but a lot of us would know something is up as:
1)UA doesn't operate SFO-LGA nonstop
2) Most certainly doesn't fly 772's into LGA
3) the time makes no-sense. that is a glitch however, as it's showing you the SFO-DEN time, completely leaving out the next time. There was a post about this a couple pages ago.
1)UA doesn't operate SFO-LGA nonstop
2) Most certainly doesn't fly 772's into LGA
3) the time makes no-sense. that is a glitch however, as it's showing you the SFO-DEN time, completely leaving out the next time. There was a post about this a couple pages ago.
A girl can dream, though
Aug 6, 2018, 1:28 pm
#4195
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,427
It's a direct flight, that's why you're running into this (the flight number is the same). It's not super common, but a lot of us would know something is up as:
1)UA doesn't operate SFO-LGA nonstop
2) Most certainly doesn't fly 772's into LGA
3) the time makes no-sense. that is a glitch however, as it's showing you the SFO-DEN time, completely leaving out the next time. There was a post about this a couple pages ago.
1)UA doesn't operate SFO-LGA nonstop
2) Most certainly doesn't fly 772's into LGA
3) the time makes no-sense. that is a glitch however, as it's showing you the SFO-DEN time, completely leaving out the next time. There was a post about this a couple pages ago.
It's a nonstop that they didn't provide.
Aug 6, 2018, 8:03 pm
#4197
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,846
I have an LAX-EWR-CLT itinerary ( G Fare ) at the end of September. I arrive at EWR on a Thursday morning My connection to CLT is a few hours later. What's your thoughts on rolling a SDC for a few days and keep on rolling to either Sunday night or Monday morning? I don't know that route and curious to know what you think. Thanks in advance
Aug 6, 2018, 8:16 pm
#4198
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 564
On a G fare? Not really. If it was an L, maybe but even that would be tricky.
The problem is that you are trying to roll an SDC going from a Hub to a spoke. If it was hub-hub, there would be more capacity and it would be more likely to work.
When i look at strange SDC's or routes I am not used to I always try to wargame it in advance. Since you are not taking the flight for a month and a half, you could use expert mode and simulate that you are checking in at T-24 this week and see what SDC options are available. Then you can simulate that you scanned your boarding pass @ LAX and see what options might be available from that point & so on.
Barring special situations along the way (big events & IRROPS) I find these "usually" simulate what one might encounter as far as SDC options. Not perfect, but better than flying blind.
The problem is that you are trying to roll an SDC going from a Hub to a spoke. If it was hub-hub, there would be more capacity and it would be more likely to work.
When i look at strange SDC's or routes I am not used to I always try to wargame it in advance. Since you are not taking the flight for a month and a half, you could use expert mode and simulate that you are checking in at T-24 this week and see what SDC options are available. Then you can simulate that you scanned your boarding pass @ LAX and see what options might be available from that point & so on.
Barring special situations along the way (big events & IRROPS) I find these "usually" simulate what one might encounter as far as SDC options. Not perfect, but better than flying blind.
Aug 6, 2018, 9:03 pm
#4199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,337
Booked SFO-IAH-LGA. Looking at SDC, offered what appears to be a direct SFO-LGA on a 772(!) - option appears in both app and on website:
Of course flying time is too good to be true, plus direct SFO-LGA? No seat map available, but checking on ExpertFlyer, it's actually a connection through DEN, with DEN-LGA leg on an A320, arriving LGA 11:19PM. It's still all listed as UA1858, though.
I guess this isn't actually a SDC question, but I've never seen the phenomenon before. Is it a glitch, or is it common?
Of course flying time is too good to be true, plus direct SFO-LGA? No seat map available, but checking on ExpertFlyer, it's actually a connection through DEN, with DEN-LGA leg on an A320, arriving LGA 11:19PM. It's still all listed as UA1858, though.
I guess this isn't actually a SDC question, but I've never seen the phenomenon before. Is it a glitch, or is it common?
It's a direct flight, that's why you're running into this (the flight number is the same). It's not super common, but a lot of us would know something is up as:
1)UA doesn't operate SFO-LGA nonstop
2) Most certainly doesn't fly 772's into LGA
3) the time makes no-sense. that is a glitch however, as it's showing you the SFO-DEN time, completely leaving out the next time. There was a post about this a couple pages ago.
1)UA doesn't operate SFO-LGA nonstop
2) Most certainly doesn't fly 772's into LGA
3) the time makes no-sense. that is a glitch however, as it's showing you the SFO-DEN time, completely leaving out the next time. There was a post about this a couple pages ago.
This is arguably even worse than the recent discussion by someone who purchased a PHL-IAD/DCA-CLE award itinerary on the app thinking it was PHL-DCA-CLE.
I've never seen this behavior on the web before. I could easily see someone taking that flight by mistake, not knowing what they were getting. UA really needs to fix this.
I've never seen this behavior on the web before. I could easily see someone taking that flight by mistake, not knowing what they were getting. UA really needs to fix this.
I ran into this exact same issue last week on a flight from IAD to the West Coast. The one non-stop (that I was on) left at 530pm. When I attempted to SDC I saw a flight leaving 30 minutes earlier and arriving about 30 minutes earlier. I was confused as I knew I was on the only non-stop around that time. Turns out it's an IAD-DEN-xxx flight and the app only showed me the times for IAD-DEN, ignoring the actual arrival time on the west coast. It was the same flight number on both legs, although I believe a change of aircraft type in DEN.
-RM
Aug 6, 2018, 11:39 pm
#4200
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 175
UA733 to SEA
UA733 to SFO
I meant to post this last week but was in a no internet zone for a while.
I ran into this exact same issue last week on a flight from IAD to the West Coast. The one non-stop (that I was on) left at 530pm. When I attempted to SDC I saw a flight leaving 30 minutes earlier and arriving about 30 minutes earlier. I was confused as I knew I was on the only non-stop around that time. Turns out it's an IAD-DEN-xxx flight and the app only showed me the times for IAD-DEN, ignoring the actual arrival time on the west coast. It was the same flight number on both legs, although I believe a change of aircraft type in DEN.
-RM
I ran into this exact same issue last week on a flight from IAD to the West Coast. The one non-stop (that I was on) left at 530pm. When I attempted to SDC I saw a flight leaving 30 minutes earlier and arriving about 30 minutes earlier. I was confused as I knew I was on the only non-stop around that time. Turns out it's an IAD-DEN-xxx flight and the app only showed me the times for IAD-DEN, ignoring the actual arrival time on the west coast. It was the same flight number on both legs, although I believe a change of aircraft type in DEN.
-RM