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}
Feb 10, 2018, 10:27 am
#3301
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: ICN
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 224
Yes, after each stop. If it is a record, I am sure a determined person could easily break it. Thanks though.
Feb 10, 2018, 10:44 am
#3302
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Madrid
Programs: IB+ Emerald (Platino), M&M Senator (Gold), Meliá Rewards Platino, NH Platinum
Posts: 436
Regarding the recent strange routings I don´t think they are a result of some informatic error in the app. As far as I remember, they started long time ago, like in October (I was offered MEX-SFO-ORD for MEX-ORD, didn´t use it though). If it was an error, the app would offer IAD-MAD-EWR for IAD-EWR, DEN-NRT-LAX for DEN-LAX or IAH-HNL-SFO for IAH-SFO and it doesn´t happen.
Probably < 2% of pax use these strange options and they just don´t care and moreover can get rid of some overbookings (by offering less crowded flights).
Probably < 2% of pax use these strange options and they just don´t care and moreover can get rid of some overbookings (by offering less crowded flights).
Feb 10, 2018, 11:13 am
#3303
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
Part of me is jealous, and the other part tells me this is why all good things seem to come to a quick end these days. I’ve never read UA’s CoC or MP fine print, but this seems like it could be considered some sort of abuse.
Feb 10, 2018, 11:27 am
#3304
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Madrid
Programs: IB+ Emerald (Platino), M&M Senator (Gold), Meliá Rewards Platino, NH Platinum
Posts: 436
I think that 0.01% of flyers do such strange routings so they just won´t care. 99.99% wants to get from A to B as quick as possible.
Feb 10, 2018, 11:39 am
#3305
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: ICN
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 224
True. That did cross my mind. I did read through the CoC but even if there wasn’t anything specifically related, I could see United frowning upon it.
Last edited by ICN1K; Feb 10, 2018 at 11:42 am Reason: autocorrect
Feb 10, 2018, 3:27 pm
#3306
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,314
I can think of many ways one might attempt to manipulate the system or an agent into booking something like that, but if the app says "hey, want to fly this?", there is no issue.
It's like when I, as a *G, get offered a free change, take it, and then get yelled at by someone. No, I'm not going to pay. I wouldn't have made the change if it hadn't said $0.
Feb 10, 2018, 4:24 pm
#3307
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Madrid
Programs: IB+ Emerald (Platino), M&M Senator (Gold), Meliá Rewards Platino, NH Platinum
Posts: 436
If they frown upon it, they shouldn't offer it.
I can think of many ways one might attempt to manipulate the system or an agent into booking something like that, but if the app says "hey, want to fly this?", there is no issue.
It's like when I, as a *G, get offered a free change, take it, and then get yelled at by someone. No, I'm not going to pay. I wouldn't have made the change if it hadn't said $0.
I can think of many ways one might attempt to manipulate the system or an agent into booking something like that, but if the app says "hey, want to fly this?", there is no issue.
It's like when I, as a *G, get offered a free change, take it, and then get yelled at by someone. No, I'm not going to pay. I wouldn't have made the change if it hadn't said $0.
However, as I think (maybe I´m wrong), that some UA-people follow Flyertalk, maybe we should moderate comments on our crazy routings like EWR -A-B-C-D-E-F-F- IAD :P At least until they are being offered... xD
Feb 10, 2018, 4:45 pm
#3308
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
UA absolutely should care. There’s no reason whatsoever for UA to allow routings like the one mentioned above.
Feb 10, 2018, 4:52 pm
#3309
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Madrid
Programs: IB+ Emerald (Platino), M&M Senator (Gold), Meliá Rewards Platino, NH Platinum
Posts: 436
Well, I agree. One thing is LAX-DEN-IAH for LAX-IAH which is "normal", and totally different thing is EWR-SFO-IAD for EWR-IAD. But They haven´t fixed the issue since october/november and that´s why I think it´s totally marginal.
Feb 11, 2018, 11:23 pm
#3310
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: SFO
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 5
I'm on a L fare class ticket for SFO - AKL (UA917) on March 9, but can't make it anymore and hoping to SDC it to March 10. The problem is there is only one UA metal flight a day (though several Air New Zealand). I'm confused if/how I can SDC since flights are exactly 24 hours apart.
I called and one agent said I can't (due to 24 hours) and another said I could call in 25 hours before March 10 departure time (i.e. 1 hour before March 9 departure time). My hunch is official policy is I can't, but a nice agent could help me out outside the 24 hour window?
What do you guys recommend? I'm 1P if that matters.
I called and one agent said I can't (due to 24 hours) and another said I could call in 25 hours before March 10 departure time (i.e. 1 hour before March 9 departure time). My hunch is official policy is I can't, but a nice agent could help me out outside the 24 hour window?
What do you guys recommend? I'm 1P if that matters.
Feb 11, 2018, 11:36 pm
#3311
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,387
I called and one agent said I can't (due to 24 hours) and another said I could call in 25 hours before March 10 departure time (i.e. 1 hour before March 9 departure time). My hunch is official policy is I can't, but a nice agent could help me out outside the 24 hour window?
Your hunch is correct. The official policy is that you can't do it. You might get an kind agent to take pity; you might not. L is a pretty low fare class; even if you do find someone willing to bend a rule for you, you might find that there's no space available in L and you'd have to pay a large fare difference.
If the March 9 flight is delayed sufficiently -- by at least an hour, I'd say -- you may be able to SDC at exactly the scheduled departure time.
Good luck!
Feb 12, 2018, 12:00 am
#3312
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: SFO
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 5
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
Your hunch is correct. The official policy is that you can't do it. You might get an kind agent to take pity; you might not. L is a pretty low fare class; even if you do find someone willing to bend a rule for you, you might find that there's no space available in L and you'd have to pay a large fare difference.
Your hunch is correct. The official policy is that you can't do it. You might get an kind agent to take pity; you might not. L is a pretty low fare class; even if you do find someone willing to bend a rule for you, you might find that there's no space available in L and you'd have to pay a large fare difference.
Would going to SFO a few hours early March 9 and talking to check-in agent help, hurt, or have same effect as calling united? And when calling, if one agent says no, do I just hang up and immediately try again until I find somebody or do they put something on my record that says "This guy keeps calling!"
And you're completely right that this is dependent on available L or K fares. Looks OK right now, but we are a month out...
Feb 12, 2018, 12:33 am
#3313
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,387
Thanks jsloan! Sounds like this will require some luck.
Would going to SFO a few hours early March 9 and talking to check-in agent help, hurt, or have same effect as calling united? And when calling, if one agent says no, do I just hang up and immediately try again until I find somebody or do they put something on my record that says "This guy keeps calling!"
And you're completely right that this is dependent on available L or K fares. Looks OK right now, but we are a month out...
Would going to SFO a few hours early March 9 and talking to check-in agent help, hurt, or have same effect as calling united? And when calling, if one agent says no, do I just hang up and immediately try again until I find somebody or do they put something on my record that says "This guy keeps calling!"
And you're completely right that this is dependent on available L or K fares. Looks OK right now, but we are a month out...
As far as showing up at the airport goes -- I'm not really sure. It probably depends upon how good the story you have to tell is. "My jerk of a boss called a mandatory meeting for tomorrow morning even though he'd already approved my vacation" vs. "I never really wanted to travel on this date but it was the cheapest."
I don't know if there's a hard and fast rule for this.The current fare for 3/10 is in K class. If it's a round-trip ticket, and K or L is still available on your return date, it might be worth going ahead and paying the change fee and locking in the date you actually want. If the difference in fare is negative -- which looks entirely possible -- you'd get a travel credit for the difference.
Good luck.
Feb 12, 2018, 1:18 am
#3314
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: SFO
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 5
You definitely don't want them to annotate your record or all hope is lost. It's generally safe to hang up and call again as long as you are polite and non-argumentative. If at any point you hear "you were already told no," that means they did write a note and your odds went from slim to none.
As far as showing up at the airport goes -- I'm not really sure. It probably depends upon how good the story you have to tell is. "My jerk of a boss called a mandatory meeting for tomorrow morning even though he'd already approved my vacation" vs. "I never really wanted to travel on this date but it was the cheapest." I don't know if there's a hard and fast rule for this.
The current fare for 3/10 is in K class. If it's a round-trip ticket, and K or L is still available on your return date, it might be worth going ahead and paying the change fee and locking in the date you actually want. If the difference in fare is negative -- which looks entirely possible -- you'd get a travel credit for the difference.
As far as showing up at the airport goes -- I'm not really sure. It probably depends upon how good the story you have to tell is. "My jerk of a boss called a mandatory meeting for tomorrow morning even though he'd already approved my vacation" vs. "I never really wanted to travel on this date but it was the cheapest."
I don't know if there's a hard and fast rule for this.The current fare for 3/10 is in K class. If it's a round-trip ticket, and K or L is still available on your return date, it might be worth going ahead and paying the change fee and locking in the date you actually want. If the difference in fare is negative -- which looks entirely possible -- you'd get a travel credit for the difference.
I got lucky with a cheap fare a few months ago and cost is now significantly higher so paying change fee + difference to rebook doesn't make sense. I'll have to cancel the flight if I can't get the SDC.
Thanks again!
Feb 12, 2018, 4:57 am
#3315
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Flying between BER, ZRH, EZE, COR
Programs: LH SEN, UA 1K, A3*G, AR Platino, BA Gold
Posts: 113
just to be sure:
I´m flying EWR-SFO-SIN in a cheap K fare.
Can I SDC to EWR-ORD-SFO-SIN as long as K Class is open?
I´m flying EWR-SFO-SIN in a cheap K fare.
Can I SDC to EWR-ORD-SFO-SIN as long as K Class is open?