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}
Jan 9, 2019, 6:24 pm
#4831
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,761
A couple of years ago, I had a 6:01 am SFO-LAX flight.on a Sunday. There were no flights later that day with the appropriate fare class. The next flight (with the fare class) ws 6:00 am the following day (Monday). On Sunday, at 5:57 am, I called United reservations to try to attempt a SDC with 1 minute to spare. At 6:00 am the agent was able to change my flight from 6:01 am Sunday, to 6:00 am Monday.
Jan 9, 2019, 7:09 pm
#4832
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,350
Right. My understanding is that you're on a round-trip ticket from TLV to the USA, and this is the return. The only way the fare classes would change at SFO, the way you're describing, is if there's a fare break there, and the most likely reason that would happen is that the fare is actually TLV-SFO with an LAS stopover.
Jan 10, 2019, 5:56 am
#4833
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
Ah that makes sense, thanks.
Jan 10, 2019, 9:35 pm
#4834
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
I was traveling on a D fare SFO-LAX-IAD. I had walked the SDC through a couple changes forward ~ 24h to the following days red eye. Finished at JPM early and headed to airport. 445pm nonstop flight has open in Y no J. I switch to that flight. Get all of row 37 to my self and get home early. D ticket was apparently a U-up fare.
Since I chose to travel in Y, do I lose the 200% PQM usually attached to that fare class? Not sure what to expect when it posts.
Thanks.
T.
Since I chose to travel in Y, do I lose the 200% PQM usually attached to that fare class? Not sure what to expect when it posts.
Thanks.
T.
Jan 10, 2019, 10:22 pm
#4835
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,384
It's messy, but without any intervention you will definitely earn according to Y. You should be able to ask for the route fare differential ($309) as a refund; that would be my recommendation unless you would really prefer the PQM, but that might be an uphill battle.
Jan 11, 2019, 12:32 am
#4836
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 812
A couple of years ago, I had a 6:01 am SFO-LAX flight.on a Sunday. There were no flights later that day with the appropriate fare class. The next flight (with the fare class) ws 6:00 am the following day (Monday). On Sunday, at 5:57 am, I called United reservations to try to attempt a SDC with 1 minute to spare. At 6:00 am the agent was able to change my flight from 6:01 am Sunday, to 6:00 am Monday.
Jan 11, 2019, 6:32 am
#4837
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,446
But it's best to be aware that is an exception, not an expressly allowed change.
Jan 12, 2019, 1:47 pm
#4838
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Murder Mitten
Posts: 298
same day flight change lax-hnl-gum -hkg
Hi I have a flight booked from lax hnl gum hkg.
Currently set up my flight for lax to hnl lands at 4pm then the flight from hnl to Guam leaves at 215. I am United platinum. I know there are same day flight change I can call in.
Could I change to the flight the day before still within 24 hrs of leaving or take the earlier flight the same day for hnl? The problem is that it creates an illegal stopover and let’s me stay in hnl for over 24 hours.
Currently set up my flight for lax to hnl lands at 4pm then the flight from hnl to Guam leaves at 215. I am United platinum. I know there are same day flight change I can call in.
Could I change to the flight the day before still within 24 hrs of leaving or take the earlier flight the same day for hnl? The problem is that it creates an illegal stopover and let’s me stay in hnl for over 24 hours.
Jan 12, 2019, 2:01 pm
#4839
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,761
Hi I have a flight booked from lax hnl gum hkg.
Currently set up my flight for lax to hnl lands at 4pm then the flight from hnl to Guam leaves at 215. I am United platinum. I know there are same day flight change I can call in.
Could I change to the flight the day before still within 24 hrs of leaving or take the earlier flight the same day for hnl? The problem is that it creates an illegal stopover and let’s me stay in hnl for over 24 hours.
Currently set up my flight for lax to hnl lands at 4pm then the flight from hnl to Guam leaves at 215. I am United platinum. I know there are same day flight change I can call in.
Could I change to the flight the day before still within 24 hrs of leaving or take the earlier flight the same day for hnl? The problem is that it creates an illegal stopover and let’s me stay in hnl for over 24 hours.
However at the time of your SDC, your fare class will need to be available for all the flight segments to HKG, that can sometimes be a barrier to a change if the needed fare classes are not yet opened.
Jan 12, 2019, 10:28 pm
#4840
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,384
You also probably will not be offered app SDC with three downline segments to the next break (LAX-HNL-GUM-HKG).
Jan 13, 2019, 9:54 am
#4841
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Murder Mitten
Posts: 298
Not sure if this changes things. I was allowed to book a ticket that lands in HNL at 4pm and takes off for gum next day at 2:15. I want to either take the earlier HNL flight that day which lands at 11am or to take the late flight the day before that lands at 7pm.
Thanks
Thanks
Jan 13, 2019, 6:05 pm
#4842
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
For the sake of discussion, let's say you're scheduled to land in HNL on Monday, and leave HNL 2:15 PM on Tuesday.
If you try to change to the filght landing 11 AM on Monday, they're going to put you on the flight leaving HNL 2:15 PM on Monday.
You should be able to switch to the flight landing 7 PM Monday, but will have to call in as the app won't do SDC on 3-segment itineraries. Depending on the agent, you may need same fare class on the HNL-GUM and GUM-HKG segments since it's basically a ticket reissue. (They can force it, but it's work, so maybe they will or maybe not.)
If you try to change to the filght landing 11 AM on Monday, they're going to put you on the flight leaving HNL 2:15 PM on Monday.
You should be able to switch to the flight landing 7 PM Monday, but will have to call in as the app won't do SDC on 3-segment itineraries. Depending on the agent, you may need same fare class on the HNL-GUM and GUM-HKG segments since it's basically a ticket reissue. (They can force it, but it's work, so maybe they will or maybe not.)
Jan 14, 2019, 1:50 pm
#4843
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA Plt HertzpresC Avisfirst
Posts: 119
UA agent says they will be changing SDC rules for the worse
Was on the phone trying to sdc to a flight 24 hrs later.
my flight was at 140 PM
I wanted to switch to the next day 140 pm and agent declined so I asked her to switch me to a flight that was Within 24 hours. I told her I would call back later and switch it again. She replied there are no flights available today I'll have a look and see what I could do for tomorrow as you are trying to Game the system.
I replied and said I'm not trying to game the system I am using my benefits for being a loyal United 1K customer.
To make a long story short she said UA will be changing SDC rules soon. You will only be able to move the flight one time and only move it ahead not push it off. Hope she was wrong.
Anyone else hear something of this nature?
my flight was at 140 PM
I wanted to switch to the next day 140 pm and agent declined so I asked her to switch me to a flight that was Within 24 hours. I told her I would call back later and switch it again. She replied there are no flights available today I'll have a look and see what I could do for tomorrow as you are trying to Game the system.
I replied and said I'm not trying to game the system I am using my benefits for being a loyal United 1K customer.
To make a long story short she said UA will be changing SDC rules soon. You will only be able to move the flight one time and only move it ahead not push it off. Hope she was wrong.
Anyone else hear something of this nature?
Jan 14, 2019, 2:10 pm
#4844
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,446
Was on the phone trying to sdc to a flight 24 hrs later.
my flight was at 140 PM
I wanted to switch to the next day 140 pm and agent declined so I asked her to switch me to a flight that was Within 24 hours. I told her I would call back later and switch it again. She replied there are no flights available today I'll have a look and see what I could do for tomorrow as you are trying to Game the system.
I replied and said I'm not trying to game the system I am using my benefits for being a loyal United 1K customer.
To make a long story short she said UA will be changing SDC rules soon. You will only be able to move the flight one time and only move it ahead not push it off. Hope she was wrong.
Anyone else hear something of this nature?
my flight was at 140 PM
I wanted to switch to the next day 140 pm and agent declined so I asked her to switch me to a flight that was Within 24 hours. I told her I would call back later and switch it again. She replied there are no flights available today I'll have a look and see what I could do for tomorrow as you are trying to Game the system.
I replied and said I'm not trying to game the system I am using my benefits for being a loyal United 1K customer.
To make a long story short she said UA will be changing SDC rules soon. You will only be able to move the flight one time and only move it ahead not push it off. Hope she was wrong.
Anyone else hear something of this nature?
You asked for something that wasn't allowed and pushed back when you got a 'no' — never a good plan.There's no entitlement to any UA benefit. Abuse, and they will be revoked.
Jan 14, 2019, 2:10 pm
#4845
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,350
While it wouldn't surprise me a bit if UA were to tighten up the rules, I'm not sure I'd expect the phone reps to be notified in advance of any policy change.
