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 31, 2019, 5:52 pm
#4891
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
If your upgrade clears, the last I saw, the app was treating PZ as your new fare class. If you have a connecting itinerary, and only one leg is upgraded, it will allow you to change to the same connecting city if PZ is available. If all legs get updated, it will allow you to change routing and book you into PZ.
But, if there's no PZ availability, it doesn't end up letting you make a change.
But, if there's no PZ availability, it doesn't end up letting you make a change.
Feb 1, 2019, 7:42 am
#4892
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 424
Hi-
So, I've read the WIKI. I have done a couple of simple SDC changes, but now I want to try something I haven't done. I think I can do it.
Ticket is AMS-EWR
On the outbound I want to fly AMS-IAD-EWR, max stopover time is 24 hours, but I need a few more hours than that, and want to use the SDC to accomplish it. Plan is to book with a 23 hour stopover, and then use SDC to extend a few more hours.
According to the WIKI, I'm using SDC to make an illegal stopover, which is possible. Also, I'm a 1K
So, I've read the WIKI. I have done a couple of simple SDC changes, but now I want to try something I haven't done. I think I can do it.
Ticket is AMS-EWR
On the outbound I want to fly AMS-IAD-EWR, max stopover time is 24 hours, but I need a few more hours than that, and want to use the SDC to accomplish it. Plan is to book with a 23 hour stopover, and then use SDC to extend a few more hours.
According to the WIKI, I'm using SDC to make an illegal stopover, which is possible. Also, I'm a 1K
Feb 1, 2019, 1:28 pm
#4893
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Hi-
So, I've read the WIKI. I have done a couple of simple SDC changes, but now I want to try something I haven't done. I think I can do it.
Ticket is AMS-EWR
On the outbound I want to fly AMS-IAD-EWR, max stopover time is 24 hours, but I need a few more hours than that, and want to use the SDC to accomplish it. Plan is to book with a 23 hour stopover, and then use SDC to extend a few more hours.
According to the WIKI, I'm using SDC to make an illegal stopover, which is possible. Also, I'm a 1K
So, I've read the WIKI. I have done a couple of simple SDC changes, but now I want to try something I haven't done. I think I can do it.
Ticket is AMS-EWR
On the outbound I want to fly AMS-IAD-EWR, max stopover time is 24 hours, but I need a few more hours than that, and want to use the SDC to accomplish it. Plan is to book with a 23 hour stopover, and then use SDC to extend a few more hours.
According to the WIKI, I'm using SDC to make an illegal stopover, which is possible. Also, I'm a 1K
Feb 1, 2019, 1:37 pm
#4894
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
If your fare class is available, you should have no problem SDC'ing IAD-EWR to a later flight. However, you'll need to wait until 24 hours before the flight that you want to take. So, if you arrive at 3 PM Monday (Washington time), and you're booked on the 2 PM Tuesday departure, but you want to fly at 9 PM Tuesday, you will be able to SDC to it at 9 PM Monday from DC.
Feb 1, 2019, 3:11 pm
#4895
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 424
Thanks to jsloan and Bthumme for taking the time to answer.
Feb 1, 2019, 4:11 pm
#4896
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tri Valley Area Northern CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 579
If your upgrade clears, the last I saw, the app was treating PZ as your new fare class. If you have a connecting itinerary, and only one leg is upgraded, it will allow you to change to the same connecting city if PZ is available. If all legs get updated, it will allow you to change routing and book you into PZ.
But, if there's no PZ availability, it doesn't end up letting you make a change.
But, if there's no PZ availability, it doesn't end up letting you make a change.
Example - SJC/DEN/BOS. The SJC/DEN cleared (PN class), while the DEN/BOS did not clear (G). The United App offered SJC/ORD/BOS where SJC/ORD (PN available) and the ORD/BOS (G available). However, it would not show other possible combinations where the first segment was in G (i.e. SJC/IAH/BOS, where SJC/IAH and IAH/BOS both had G fare availabitliy). Of course, I could call in to change the flight to SJC/IAH/BOS in G class (i.e. downgrade the first segment from PN to G).
Feb 1, 2019, 5:11 pm
#4897
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,956
Irrops
During IRrops, I was able to change a PZ segment into two economy segments on App. I did not have to call 1K line to make such a change.
Feb 1, 2019, 5:55 pm
#4898
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
I believe the SDC on the app is very literal. I've had a situation where one segment cleard (to PN) and the second segment has not cleared (G fare). The app provided me SDC option, via a different connecting city, where the first segment was in First (PN) and the second was in Economy (G).
Feb 2, 2019, 8:59 am
#4899
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: United Plat
Posts: 499
Within the 24 hours of the second UA flight, first UA agent said no SDC from AC to UA flight, even it is UA ticket. She even put me on hold to double check with her team.
Eight hours later, I called again. A gentleman checked his computer. Said computer liked the idea and charged $0 for the change. SDC was successful.
Next morning I randomly checked the flight status of the 6:20am AC SFO-YVR flight I was supposed to take. It was cancelled. Looks like the YVR-SFO flight from previous night was cancelled as well. I never got the notice from AC since I did SDC very late. I don't know if successful SDC was due to cancellation of the AC flight.
Feb 2, 2019, 10:21 am
#4900
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 23
I have a flight at 8pm tonight IAH-LAX-MEL
What would the process be to do the SDFC? Would it be check-in and then search for a flight tomorrow? Planning on pushing this back day by day until Friday... major personal family problem (don't want to get into the details but can't claim it on insurance or anything)
What would the process be to do the SDFC? Would it be check-in and then search for a flight tomorrow? Planning on pushing this back day by day until Friday... major personal family problem (don't want to get into the details but can't claim it on insurance or anything)
Feb 2, 2019, 10:35 am
#4901
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
I have a flight at 8pm tonight IAH-LAX-MEL
What would the process be to do the SDFC? Would it be check-in and then search for a flight tomorrow? Planning on pushing this back day by day until Friday... major personal family problem (don't want to get into the details but can't claim it on insurance or anything)
What would the process be to do the SDFC? Would it be check-in and then search for a flight tomorrow? Planning on pushing this back day by day until Friday... major personal family problem (don't want to get into the details but can't claim it on insurance or anything)
Feb 2, 2019, 11:08 am
#4902
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 611
can a SDC be used to reverse segments on a roundtrip reservation?
How would this situation be handled?
Roundtrip flight A->B on day 1, B->A on day 2
SDC on day 1 for A->B, can I change so that A->B happens after B->A on day 2?
Then I could take the B->A segment first on the round trip, essentially reversing.
If that is possible, then what happens to that A->B segment, does it get canceled? Does it get split off and remain valid and able to SDC? Does the whole reservation simply become swapped as a B->A and A->B round trip?
Hopefully that makes sense - I can provide a specific example of locations/times if that would help.
Roundtrip flight A->B on day 1, B->A on day 2
SDC on day 1 for A->B, can I change so that A->B happens after B->A on day 2?
Then I could take the B->A segment first on the round trip, essentially reversing.
If that is possible, then what happens to that A->B segment, does it get canceled? Does it get split off and remain valid and able to SDC? Does the whole reservation simply become swapped as a B->A and A->B round trip?
Hopefully that makes sense - I can provide a specific example of locations/times if that would help.
Feb 2, 2019, 11:40 am
#4903
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
OP; sorry to hear about your family situation, and I hope things work out for the best.
SDC is available during the check-in process, and it will allow you to make a change provided that both departing flights are within 24 hours of the current time -- so, as of this moment, in theory, you could SDC to an IAH-LAX-MEL flight leaving anytime before 12:30 tomorrow. Go into the app, start the check-in process, and look for a button / link that talks about "alternative flight options." Give it a try now and see what your choices are -- and just make sure that you move the flight prior to the check-in deadline.
I agree that it's going to be very difficult to SDC for six consecutive days. Also, note that there is a $75 charge per SDC unless you hold Gold status or higher.
Is this the outbound of a round-trip, a return flight, or a one-way trip? Did you use miles or cash? Do you have status with UA?
No. The app will not allow you to SDC to a flight that departs after the next flight in your itinerary, and an agent isn't going to allow it either.
Feb 2, 2019, 11:54 am
#4904
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 23
Sorry yes SDC (not 100% across the abbreviation) Thanks for the reply.
The issue will the inventory. I am Platinum, but it’s a P class ticket, happy to drop to economy if i need to. I paid all in my card. Flight departs at 8pm and it’s the return leg of the journey.
There was a physical threat made by an individual, so just trying get it resolved before I leave.
I guess the last question is, will it be possible to change the flight if I “check-in” to see other options? It might be best to change the flight in light of the situation.
The issue will the inventory. I am Platinum, but it’s a P class ticket, happy to drop to economy if i need to. I paid all in my card. Flight departs at 8pm and it’s the return leg of the journey.
There was a physical threat made by an individual, so just trying get it resolved before I leave.
I guess the last question is, will it be possible to change the flight if I “check-in” to see other options? It might be best to change the flight in light of the situation.
Feb 2, 2019, 12:18 pm
#4905
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
Yes, inventory will definitely be the issue, and, unfortunately, dropping to economy is likely outside of the SDC policy (and definitely not something that the app or website would offer).
In fact, Friday's flight is completely full up front. Do you have plans to return to the US? One option would be to purchase a IAH-MEL round-trip ticket departing Friday (in Y) and returning at the start of your next trip; then, cancel tonight's flight and make it the return leg of your next trip.
Another option is to call UA and ask how much it would cost to change to Friday's flight in economy. There aren't currently any P fares published for MEL-IAH, but I found a historical fare, and it looks like the change fee is (US)$400. Unfortunately, it also looks like this is one of the fares where UA only allows changes to a higher fare class; I'm not sure if it's possible to reprice it as business outbound / economy return, but you can call and ask. If you explain the situation a bit to the agent, they may go the extra mile.
As a last resort, a one-way IAH-MEL flight for Friday in economy is $950, so that's your worst-case scenario.