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 9, 2019, 8:30 am
#4921
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Current rule is clear, but the disagreement is that EmailKid said "back in the day" coterminals were available for SDC and WineCountryUA said it has never been allowed. Not that important, but can't both be right.
Feb 9, 2019, 8:56 am
#4922
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
) This was accomplished way back when twice by a gate agent at IAH - did they "bend" the rules? I don't know, only know that in two instances it was "sure, we can do that Mr. EmailKid." And while each of the flights were quite full, don't believe they were oversold, but it's possible that the gate agent had info that I did not have (no, I did not look at seatmap but more reliable data).And of course fairly recent DPs by UA posters indicate that during Irrops co-terminals magically become available (no I'm not going to search for specific posts @:-) )
Feb 9, 2019, 9:00 am
#4923
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
I would like to personally apologize for making a mountain out of molehill here. We can all move on!
Feb 9, 2019, 11:52 am
#4924
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,025
There's a really old post from 2013 linked from the wiki talking about how it is possible to change from UA metal to LH metal/UA codeshare using the app. Is this still possible?
Feb 9, 2019, 2:55 pm
#4925
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
From the wiki:
Change from UA metal to UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: N
If you get such an offer on the App, by all means give it a try and report back. But this would be completely outside SDC rules and should never be expected or even hoped for.
Feb 9, 2019, 3:34 pm
#4926
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,342
Has anyone seen an error when SDC'ing through the app that says something to the effect of, "Due to changing demand, the flights you selected are no longer available..." I had this happen numerous times yesterday when attempting to SDC the second leg of a two leg itinerary. The weird thing is the inventory WAS available and bookable if I wanted to pay for a ticket.
Further, every time this error came up the bottom of the app showed "please wait" with the spinning circle and it never got out of that loop. The two buttons, "View Other Flights" or "Keep Original Itinerary" were grayed out waiting for something to happen that never did. I had to force close the app and restart it each time this happened (iOS).
At the end of the day I could have called the 1K line to get them to process the change but I didn't bother and simply stuck with the delayed second leg (2 hour delay) rather than force a re-route and probably wind up getting in at the same time anyway.
Thanks,
RM
Further, every time this error came up the bottom of the app showed "please wait" with the spinning circle and it never got out of that loop. The two buttons, "View Other Flights" or "Keep Original Itinerary" were grayed out waiting for something to happen that never did. I had to force close the app and restart it each time this happened (iOS).
At the end of the day I could have called the 1K line to get them to process the change but I didn't bother and simply stuck with the delayed second leg (2 hour delay) rather than force a re-route and probably wind up getting in at the same time anyway.
Thanks,
RM
Feb 9, 2019, 5:27 pm
#4927
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 19
Do I need to worry about fare class being lowered when doing SDC? For example if I booked Z class, but the new route has P opening, will I be placed into P thus losing PQM? The "search for other flights" option in united.com doesn't seem to show the fare class before I confirm the change.
Feb 9, 2019, 7:08 pm
#4928
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
Do I need to worry about fare class being lowered when doing SDC? For example if I booked Z class, but the new route has P opening, will I be placed into P thus losing PQM? The "search for other flights" option in united.com doesn't seem to show the fare class before I confirm the change.
Feb 9, 2019, 9:29 pm
#4929
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
Has anyone seen an error when SDC'ing through the app that says something to the effect of, "Due to changing demand, the flights you selected are no longer available..." I had this happen numerous times yesterday when attempting to SDC the second leg of a two leg itinerary. The weird thing is the inventory WAS available and bookable if I wanted to pay for a ticket.
Further, every time this error came up the bottom of the app showed "please wait" with the spinning circle and it never got out of that loop. The two buttons, "View Other Flights" or "Keep Original Itinerary" were grayed out waiting for something to happen that never did. I had to force close the app and restart it each time this happened (iOS).
At the end of the day I could have called the 1K line to get them to process the change but I didn't bother and simply stuck with the delayed second leg (2 hour delay) rather than force a re-route and probably wind up getting in at the same time anyway.
Thanks,
RM
Further, every time this error came up the bottom of the app showed "please wait" with the spinning circle and it never got out of that loop. The two buttons, "View Other Flights" or "Keep Original Itinerary" were grayed out waiting for something to happen that never did. I had to force close the app and restart it each time this happened (iOS).
At the end of the day I could have called the 1K line to get them to process the change but I didn't bother and simply stuck with the delayed second leg (2 hour delay) rather than force a re-route and probably wind up getting in at the same time anyway.
Thanks,
RM
Feb 10, 2019, 10:03 am
#4930
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,342
I ran into this issue yesterday too. The root cause of the issue, based on some "experimental" SDCs I did was that while married segment availability was there for the full route, the first leg did not have inventory in my fare class when booked on a standalone basis. I think the app/website is trying to add each segment individually, which is causing the inventory not available error.
Thanks,
RM
Feb 11, 2019, 12:21 am
#4931
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Skyteam Elite Plus (KE Morning Calm Premium)
Posts: 819
I flew domestic flights two weeks ago. SDC options were available at online checkin.
Two days ago, I flew international on UA metals. ATL-SFO-ICN UA1900 / UA893 - W class
"Available flight button for SDC" was not there at online checkin T-24. - even though I was able to finish my online checkin and get my boarding passes.
I was just curious what kind of flight options were provided. If I really wanted to SDC, probably I would call to UA.
Two days ago, I flew international on UA metals. ATL-SFO-ICN UA1900 / UA893 - W class
"Available flight button for SDC" was not there at online checkin T-24. - even though I was able to finish my online checkin and get my boarding passes.
I was just curious what kind of flight options were provided. If I really wanted to SDC, probably I would call to UA.
Feb 11, 2019, 12:35 am
#4932
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
I flew domestic flights two weeks ago. SDC options were available at online checkin.
Two days ago, I flew international on UA metals. ATL-SFO-ICN UA1900 / UA893 - W class
"Available flight button for SDC" was not there at online checkin T-24. - even though I was able to finish my online checkin and get my boarding passes.
I was just curious what kind of flight options were provided. If I really wanted to SDC, probably I would call to UA.
Two days ago, I flew international on UA metals. ATL-SFO-ICN UA1900 / UA893 - W class
"Available flight button for SDC" was not there at online checkin T-24. - even though I was able to finish my online checkin and get my boarding passes.
I was just curious what kind of flight options were provided. If I really wanted to SDC, probably I would call to UA.
The only options you'd have on ATL-SFO-ICN would be alternate ATL-SFO-ICN itineraries. The app won't allow you to turn a two-segment flight into a three-segment flight, and the only UA flight to ICN is from SFO, so there's no alternate hub to transit.
Feb 11, 2019, 5:47 am
#4933
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Skyteam Elite Plus (KE Morning Calm Premium)
Posts: 819
Let's say
One PNR 016 ticket
ICN-SFO-DEN-ATL (ICN-SFO on Asiana / SFO-DEN-ATL on UA metal)
ATL-SFO-NRT-ICN ( ATL-SFO-NRT on UA metal / NRT-ICN on Asiana)
Q1. Outbound flight. ICN-SFO-DEN-ATL
SCD is not allowed since ICN-SFO is on partner airline. But can I SDC to SFO-IAD-ATL when I clear immigration and custom at SFO? (assuming same fare class seat is available and no checked baggage)
Q2. Return flight ATL-SFO-NRT-ICN
NRT-ICN is on partner airline. With keeping the same NRT-ICN flight. can I SDC to ATL-SFO-NRT instead of ATL-ORD-NRT when I check in at ATL (asking UA ticketing agent at ATL)? (assuming same fare class seat is available).
Thanks.
One PNR 016 ticket
ICN-SFO-DEN-ATL (ICN-SFO on Asiana / SFO-DEN-ATL on UA metal)
ATL-SFO-NRT-ICN ( ATL-SFO-NRT on UA metal / NRT-ICN on Asiana)
Q1. Outbound flight. ICN-SFO-DEN-ATL
SCD is not allowed since ICN-SFO is on partner airline. But can I SDC to SFO-IAD-ATL when I clear immigration and custom at SFO? (assuming same fare class seat is available and no checked baggage)
Q2. Return flight ATL-SFO-NRT-ICN
NRT-ICN is on partner airline. With keeping the same NRT-ICN flight. can I SDC to ATL-SFO-NRT instead of ATL-ORD-NRT when I check in at ATL (asking UA ticketing agent at ATL)? (assuming same fare class seat is available).
Thanks.
Feb 11, 2019, 7:42 am
#4934
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Let's say
One PNR 016 ticket
ICN-SFO-DEN-ATL (ICN-SFO on Asiana / SFO-DEN-ATL on UA metal)
ATL-SFO-NRT-ICN ( ATL-SFO-NRT on UA metal / NRT-ICN on Asiana)
Q1. Outbound flight. ICN-SFO-DEN-ATL
SCD is not allowed since ICN-SFO is on partner airline. But can I SDC to SFO-IAD-ATL when I clear immigration and custom at SFO? (assuming same fare class seat is available and no checked baggage)
Q2. Return flight ATL-SFO-NRT-ICN
NRT-ICN is on partner airline. With keeping the same NRT-ICN flight. can I SDC to ATL-SFO-NRT instead of ATL-ORD-NRT when I check in at ATL (asking UA ticketing agent at ATL)? (assuming same fare class seat is available).
Thanks.
One PNR 016 ticket
ICN-SFO-DEN-ATL (ICN-SFO on Asiana / SFO-DEN-ATL on UA metal)
ATL-SFO-NRT-ICN ( ATL-SFO-NRT on UA metal / NRT-ICN on Asiana)
Q1. Outbound flight. ICN-SFO-DEN-ATL
SCD is not allowed since ICN-SFO is on partner airline. But can I SDC to SFO-IAD-ATL when I clear immigration and custom at SFO? (assuming same fare class seat is available and no checked baggage)
Q2. Return flight ATL-SFO-NRT-ICN
NRT-ICN is on partner airline. With keeping the same NRT-ICN flight. can I SDC to ATL-SFO-NRT instead of ATL-ORD-NRT when I check in at ATL (asking UA ticketing agent at ATL)? (assuming same fare class seat is available).
Thanks.
Q2 isn't going to happen. SDC won't give you double connect options. You will have to stick to ATL-SFO-NRT-ICN.
Feb 11, 2019, 7:54 am
#4935
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
The app won't. An agent might be able to do this, but technically it's against policy to make changes with any partner flights remaining on the reservation. That said, this one will make sense to an agent, so it's worth asking about.