Last edit by: leftysauce
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.
Present Eligiblity policy 2023
Premier members may be able to get another flight for free. If your original cabin isn’t available, you may have to pay a price difference.
All other travelers may be able to get another flight within 24 hours of the original flight. You may have to pay a price difference even if the same cabin is available.
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 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:
The practice of fare leveling all fares for all flights at a specific time appears no longer in effective -- it does happen in some case but appears to be more variable
Standby
For all fare classesother than Basic Economy (N class) you may standby if seats are not available in the purchased fare class. There is no longer a fee for Standby. 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 up to 24 hours of original departure on the day of departure at an airport kiosk or with a United representative at the airport or UA app. 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?
YesNo. 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.
Standby Nuances and Loose Rules
All nuances assume request is made within 24 hours of scheduled departure to a flight within 24 hours of the request.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = officially permitted and possible using any method
K = Perhaps not officially permitted, but kiosk will allow.
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.
Mileage Credit after SDC
SDC is considered a voluntary change, so your credited PQM & PQS will be credited based on the route you actually fly. Your PQDs should not change and therefore for your RDMs will not change. Occasionally if you fly a fewer number of segments, your PQD will credit wrong, but a call to MPSC should correct that.
Previous threads:
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions (with Wiki) {Archive}
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.
Present Eligiblity policy 2023
Same day changes
Premier members may be able to get another flight for free. If your original cabin isn’t available, you may have to pay a price difference.
All other travelers may be able to get another flight within 24 hours of the original flight. You may have to pay a price difference even if the same cabin is available.
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 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:
- Not available for Basic Economy (N class) tickets
- 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.
- Must be issued on UA ticket stock (ticket number begins with 016)
- Award tickets are eligible, but an award change may be a better option (not restricted to 24 hours)
- 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 a 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 non-PremiersOnly premier members as of 1 Jan 2021- No fee for Premier (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.The practice of fare leveling all fares for all flights at a specific time appears to no longer be in effect.- 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)
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.
- 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)
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours after the original flight, if the original flight has been delayed: Y (at least in the app)
- 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 potentially dire consequences)
- Change from an upgraded flight into Y on the new flight: Y
- Change from a PointsPlus-upgraded flight into J/F on the new flight: A
- Change from a CPU-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available PZ space on the new flight: N*
- Change from an instrument-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available PZ 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: A - 60 minutes prior to both flights required
- Change at layover airport when a bag has been checked: A - 60 minutes prior to both flights required
- Change a bulk fare: A*
- Stand-By to later flight, then SDC after original flight departs to flight within 24-hours of new Stand-By flight: Y
Code:
EVERYDAY AWARD AND REVENUE BUCKETS ARE TO LEVEL OUT WITHIN 2H OF DEPARTURE
The practice of fare leveling all fares for all flights at a specific time appears no longer in effective -- it does happen in some case but appears to be more variable
Standby
For all fare classes
Instead of paying a same-day change discounted fee, can I stand by for my desired flight for free?
Yes
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.
Standby Nuances and Loose Rules
All nuances assume request is made within 24 hours of scheduled departure to a flight within 24 hours of the request.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = officially permitted and possible using any method
K = Perhaps not officially permitted, but kiosk will allow.
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.
- To a flight the previous calendar day: A*/N*/K (app allows this)
- To a flight after your ticketed flight, on the same calendar day: Y
- To a flight the following calendar day: N*
- Request Standby at an airport other than departure airport: Can now request Standby via app 24 hours in advance
- Make request calendar day before scheduled flight to flight same day as scheduled departure: K
Mileage Credit after SDC
SDC is considered a voluntary change, so your credited PQM & PQS will be credited based on the route you actually fly. Your PQDs should not change and therefore for your RDMs will not change. Occasionally if you fly a fewer number of segments, your PQD will credit wrong, but a call to MPSC should correct that.
Previous threads:
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions (with Wiki) {Archive}
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions -Free STBY for all, SDC for all elites
#496
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Data point
I did SDC from connection flights to nonstop flight; I had to call 1K line because the first segment was upgraded (PZ). The Agent had to cancel the upgrade before the change. My original fare (T) was available on Nonstop, but the new booking code was U, not T.
#497
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,411
Awesome thanks. Follow up to this. Party of 6. We are the first 6 on the standby list for an earlier flight out of EWR tomorrow 11/24. Flight Shows upwards of 13 seats in expert mode. One problem…the flight we are standing by is out of terminal A at EWR. Or confirmed flight is out of terminal C. We are checking bags. Better to check them at terminal A hoping we get the standby confirmed, or better to check them at C?
It makes no difference where you check your bags; terminals are primarily a passenger conceit; they have much less of an effect on baggage. UA can (and will) move bags from the terminal C baggage room to a flight that’s operating out of terminal A, or vice versa.
That said, UA will frequently refuse to put someone on the standby list if checked luggage is involved. It sounds like you’re already on the list, though, so that should be less of an issue. Your bags may or may not be tagged with a special standby designation to try to alert the baggage room that they should be held back and only loaded if you clear. However, UA’s general approach for domestic travel is to put the bag onto the next flight to the destination regardless of ticketing, so you really shouldn’t need one.
Odd, but if it didn’t result in an add-collect, great.
#498
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Nope! I guess that the agent was in “Thanksgiving” mode, just booked whatever fare code that the system was selling at that moment.
More odd thing is the positions of CPU list; Mrs. Kmxu’s ticket was changed first (also changed to the same U code). She is 5 spots ahead of me. I then applied PPs to my reservation. The upgrade is still unlikely to clear for either of us.😂
More odd thing is the positions of CPU list; Mrs. Kmxu’s ticket was changed first (also changed to the same U code). She is 5 spots ahead of me. I then applied PPs to my reservation. The upgrade is still unlikely to clear for either of us.😂
#499
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 57
This may be a wierd question, but is there a limit to the how many same day changes one can do? Real purpose is to rack up lifetime miles. Can I just keep rolling same day change flights at the airport to other flights with more connections for days on end (since the policy allows for flights 24 hours after your flight)? Or is it 24 hours after your originally booked flight? thanks
#500
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,411
This may be a wierd question, but is there a limit to the how many same day changes one can do? Real purpose is to rack up lifetime miles. Can I just keep rolling same day change flights at the airport to other flights with more connections for days on end (since the policy allows for flights 24 hours after your flight)? Or is it 24 hours after your originally booked flight? thanks
#501
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,516
Even if maintaining the same flight/routing, earlier this year the app cut me off from SDC for for flights 24 hrs after the originally booked flight, even when there was the same fare class available on future flights within the SDC window.
#502
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 57
So, how about this, just for game theory kicks...do a same day change to a flight roughly 24 hours before original departure, and then try to maximize miles flown between then and a flight that leaves 24 hours after original departure?
#503
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Princeton, NJ
Programs: UA - GS 8 years 1K - many!!, Mariott - Titanium, Hilton - Gold, Avis - President, Hertz - President
Posts: 44
This could just be a ticketing glitch, hopefully !! If there is a restriction on the number of changes and number of days to move your flight, that is a very significant loss of a benefit.
#504
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,516
It wasn't the first time I've noticed it. I usually don't have a need to test it very often though, so maybe a few outlier cases.
#505
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: American Gold, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 269
Awesome thanks. Follow up to this. Party of 6. We are the first 6 on the standby list for an earlier flight out of EWR tomorrow 11/24. Flight Shows upwards of 13 seats in expert mode. One problem…the flight we are standing by is out of terminal A at EWR. Or confirmed flight is out of terminal C. We are checking bags. Better to check them at terminal A hoping we get the standby confirmed, or better to check them at C?
#506
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
to circle back on this: we did NOT clear standby for the flight leaving from Terminal A, but that is where we checked in bags and they were given priority tags. Then, even though we didn’t clear, bags were sent ahead on the flight we were standing by for. They were waiting for us in Orlando. Interesting that they were tagged priority and also very convenient that they were waiting for us. Everybody else was still waiting for their bags to be offloaded.
This won’t happen for an international flight such as EWR-LHR because of bag-pax matching.
#507
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,411
Incidentally, I had the opposite effect on Another AAirline this weekend. They had two XXX-ORD flights, one that had been delayed for 5 hours and one that was about 30 minutes late. They wouldn't allow anyone with checked baggage onto the earlier flight "because you have to fly with your baggage." I pointed out that there's no PPBM domestically, got a dismissive "OK" from the agent, and assumed that all of our bags would be on the earlier flight anyway. Well, unlike UA, it seems that this airline really did hold back bags instead of putting them on the next plane out -- my AirTags showed clearly that they were on the second plane, with me, rather than the first. And whereas it's normally the case that bags move faster than people, I made the flight but my bags didn't... so I was able to get free home delivery all due to a clueless, rude OAAL manager. Well done!
#508
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 20
Any limit to SDFC
Hi,
I have a nonrefundable reservation in Business fare code C DEL-EWR-BOS. Is there any rule against me doing an same-day flight change SDFC every day until there is inevitably a delay/waiver allowing me to cancel and trigger a refund? There are now 2 daily nonstops DEL-EWR hence allowing me alternate between the 2 flights.
I have a nonrefundable reservation in Business fare code C DEL-EWR-BOS. Is there any rule against me doing an same-day flight change SDFC every day until there is inevitably a delay/waiver allowing me to cancel and trigger a refund? There are now 2 daily nonstops DEL-EWR hence allowing me alternate between the 2 flights.
#509
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,280
There are reports in this thread UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions -Free STBY for all, SDC for all elites that it stops working beyond 24 hours from your original flight. Even if changing to a later flight then trying to change again. YMMV, but don't be surprised if you can't. Additionally what would you do if there's no C availability on a flight before you encounter a refundable delay/waiver occurrence?
See:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35769406-post1701.html
See:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35769406-post1701.html