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 25, 2019, 1:48 pm
#4981
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There are multiple reports of travelers not being charged the $75 when making the specific type of change you're describing (shortening a layover at the connection point). Apparently this is an undocumented pmCO policy.
Feb 25, 2019, 5:32 pm
#4982
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Posts: 3,477
Same thing happened to me late last year. I was surprised as I was expecting to lose my upgrade and only get offers in Economy. But, as for you, the only choices offered where on flights where there was First Class available. I was quite happy about that as I got home about 6 hours before I was due to return and I did not have to sit in Economy for it.
Feb 25, 2019, 6:24 pm
#4983
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Actually, it has a GG code (see the wiki). Whether that still exists in the system to look up - I'm not sure.
Feb 25, 2019, 8:21 pm
#4984
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
stand by on later flight?
Noob question here... still "getting comfortable" with UA after status matching.
How does standby on a later flight work? Other airlines that I've flown on (VX, AS, WN) let you stand by for an earlier flight, which is straightforward -- if you don't clear, you still have a confirmed seat for your original flight.
What if you want to SDC to a later flight (same calendar day) but there is no availability in your fare class, so you standby, but then don't clear. So... now you don't have a confirmed seat on any flight? What are your options?
How does standby on a later flight work? Other airlines that I've flown on (VX, AS, WN) let you stand by for an earlier flight, which is straightforward -- if you don't clear, you still have a confirmed seat for your original flight.
What if you want to SDC to a later flight (same calendar day) but there is no availability in your fare class, so you standby, but then don't clear. So... now you don't have a confirmed seat on any flight? What are your options?
Feb 25, 2019, 8:22 pm
#4985
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You can't standby for a later flight, only make a confirmed change. The reason is exactly what you cited 
Feb 25, 2019, 8:50 pm
#4986
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
But then why does the wiki say (in the standby section): To a flight after your ticketed flight, on the same calendar day: Y
There is something I am misunderstanding here...
There is something I am misunderstanding here...
Feb 25, 2019, 8:59 pm
#4987
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Good question. I'm not aware of a way to standby for a flight after your confirmed one, as you can't standby in a way that leaves you without confirmed travel to your destination. However, maybe I have forgotten something?
Feb 25, 2019, 9:11 pm
#4988
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Posts: 21,386
Feb 26, 2019, 9:17 am
#4989
Join Date: Apr 2012
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It's been a while since I've flown, but if I'm CPU'ed, does that still require a call to an agent to look at SDC options? And if so, can they check without downgrading you first?
Feb 26, 2019, 9:19 am
#4990
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Well, when I've needed to SDC, I check for options first using expert mode and then call to change. An agent should be able to do the same thing, but I don't know that I'd take the chance.
Feb 26, 2019, 9:22 am
#4991
Join Date: Apr 2012
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I look at options too. But then it gets into that grey area of routing rules. I have DTW-DEN, looking to move up to DTW-XXX-DEN to get out the day before. Only flights with my inventory right now are via EWR and IAD, and I'm pretty sure valid routings are through ORD and maybe IAH. Last time I called, the agent told me she can only do what options the computer gives her.
Feb 26, 2019, 9:48 am
#4992
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
I look at options too. But then it gets into that grey area of routing rules. I have DTW-DEN, looking to move up to DTW-XXX-DEN to get out the day before. Only flights with my inventory right now are via EWR and IAD, and I'm pretty sure valid routings are through ORD and maybe IAH. Last time I called, the agent told me she can only do what options the computer gives her.
Once you get a little higher up, the routing table is actually DTT-WAS/HOU/EWR/CHI-DEN, so there's a good chance either of your proposed routings would be acceptable.
Feb 26, 2019, 9:53 am
#4993
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Anecdotally, is there any reason to be concerned with the frequency of SDC's one makes? Personally, I wind up SDC'ing more often than not as a lot of my travel is ORD-LGA-ORD with flights basically every hour, and then for leisure flights a lot of times we end up extending a trip by a day or 2 rolling SDC's out into the future. I certainly don't feel like I'm abusing the practice, but I am definitely utilizing it frequently.
Feb 26, 2019, 10:15 am
#4994
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Anecdotally, is there any reason to be concerned with the frequency of SDC's one makes? Personally, I wind up SDC'ing more often than not as a lot of my travel is ORD-LGA-ORD with flights basically every hour, and then for leisure flights a lot of times we end up extending a trip by a day or 2 rolling SDC's out into the future. I certainly don't feel like I'm abusing the practice, but I am definitely utilizing it frequently.
For frequent routes like ORD-LGA it's fully expected that a large number of people will SDC due to meetings ending early/late, traffic, etc. I take this route often and each flight I'm on generally has 10-20 people coming up to the gate agent asking to get on the flight because they arrived at ORD earlier than expected. And the GA is happy to oblige.
-RM
Feb 26, 2019, 10:15 am
#4995
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As long as most of your usage looks like "legitimate" changes (you fly within 24 hours of your original ticket and aren't changing SFO-LAX to SFO-LIH-LAX) I wouldn't worry. If two-day rolling SDCs are common it's still probably not a huge deal, but that's pushing it a bit.