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}
May 27, 2019, 9:23 am
#5386
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Prior to the recent changes, it was common for the app to show a large number of options where they were applicable. If you weren’t seeing 9 flights, the likely reason would have been that some of them didn’t have inventory in your fare class. There has definitely been a change.
May 28, 2019, 11:56 am
#5387
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: UA
Posts: 38
Tried to SDC a SFO-EWR T fare to a connecting one for better upgrade possibility, but the agent said, after talking to rate desk, the T fare I have was only valid for non-stop flight. Is there such a rule?
The flight I'm trying to SDC into shows T9 on website and the agent was able to place me into that flight with T fare + a fare diff change.
The flight I'm trying to SDC into shows T9 on website and the agent was able to place me into that flight with T fare + a fare diff change.
May 28, 2019, 12:28 pm
#5388
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
V FARE BASIS BK FARE TRAVEL-TICKET AP MINMAX RTG
1 TAA2AQDN T X 235.99 ---- 21/1 -/ - 1
PASSENGER TYPE-ADT AUTO PRICE-YES
FROM-SFO TO-EWR CXR-UA TVL-28MAY19 RULE-ECQ2 DFR/11
FARE BASIS-TAA2AQDN SPECIAL FARE DIS-N VENDOR-ATP
FARE TYPE-SIO OW-2ND LEVEL OW INSTANT PURCHASE
USD 219.53 0001 E23MAY19 D-INFINITY FC-TAA2AQDN FN-
SYSTEM DATES - CREATED 23MAY19/1227 EXPIRES INFINITY
PUBLISHED RTG SFO-EWR/UA1 /TAR-DRG1 EF-23MAY19 DIS-INDEF
TRAVEL MUST BE NONSTOP
.
1 TAA2AQDN T X 235.99 ---- 21/1 -/ - 1
PASSENGER TYPE-ADT AUTO PRICE-YES
FROM-SFO TO-EWR CXR-UA TVL-28MAY19 RULE-ECQ2 DFR/11
FARE BASIS-TAA2AQDN SPECIAL FARE DIS-N VENDOR-ATP
FARE TYPE-SIO OW-2ND LEVEL OW INSTANT PURCHASE
USD 219.53 0001 E23MAY19 D-INFINITY FC-TAA2AQDN FN-
SYSTEM DATES - CREATED 23MAY19/1227 EXPIRES INFINITY
PUBLISHED RTG SFO-EWR/UA1 /TAR-DRG1 EF-23MAY19 DIS-INDEF
TRAVEL MUST BE NONSTOP
.
May 29, 2019, 1:12 pm
#5389
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: UA
Posts: 38
May 29, 2019, 1:19 pm
#5390
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
A motivated agent can override this restriction. UA has been steadily working to try to enforce these restrictions -- basically, rolling out CS tools that allow for less flexibility -- but, AFAIK, an agent who knows how to use the older system would still be able to access it.
May 30, 2019, 8:35 am
#5391
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
So, I would share my impressions about the SDC process that I've done today;
I was booked on a 06:05 DCA-IAH flight ( tomorrow ) and another connecting flight from IAH to XXX so I would like to change it to a later flight in the day.
At 06:05 in the morning, I have checked-in for my flight and checked expertflyer for the availability of the alternative flights and all flights to my final destination had more than 9 seats available in all fare classes in Economy.
Just when I checked-in, I only had the option to change to the 05:55 DCA-EWR & respectively EWR-XXX flight and had no option to change my flight to the previous day.
Later on, around 08:30, I had the option to change to other flights that will depart from DCA until tomorrow at 08:30.
I had checked availability both on the website and both on the iPhone app and it seems that a SDC to the previous day was not possible anymore via these channels. Tomorrow morning, I would check if I could change it to the next day so I may be able to verify that the SDC process, from now on, only allows changes in the same calendar day.
Overall, I was able to change my flight to a later time in the day, which I wanted to do.
I was booked on a 06:05 DCA-IAH flight ( tomorrow ) and another connecting flight from IAH to XXX so I would like to change it to a later flight in the day.
At 06:05 in the morning, I have checked-in for my flight and checked expertflyer for the availability of the alternative flights and all flights to my final destination had more than 9 seats available in all fare classes in Economy.
Just when I checked-in, I only had the option to change to the 05:55 DCA-EWR & respectively EWR-XXX flight and had no option to change my flight to the previous day.
Later on, around 08:30, I had the option to change to other flights that will depart from DCA until tomorrow at 08:30.
I had checked availability both on the website and both on the iPhone app and it seems that a SDC to the previous day was not possible anymore via these channels. Tomorrow morning, I would check if I could change it to the next day so I may be able to verify that the SDC process, from now on, only allows changes in the same calendar day.
Overall, I was able to change my flight to a later time in the day, which I wanted to do.
May 30, 2019, 12:14 pm
#5392
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 278
Has anyone SDC'd an international itinerary with UA followed by a partner flight recently? I am flying a daytime UA transatlantic to LHR, followed by a connection on a partner the next morning. LHR is closed overnight, so I would like to SDC to an earlier or later UA flight to LHR (to either have the full day, or a shorter connection). The onward partner flight would remain the same. Basically my goal is to avoid a pure, inconvenient overnight layover at Lhr.
#1 : Is it possible in theory to SDC that transatlantic UA leg?
#2 . UA serves my final destination nonstop, and there are earlier connecting flights from Lhr on the same partner. From the wiki, it looks like changes which would affect the non-UA flight aren't SDC-able. Is that correct?
#1 : Is it possible in theory to SDC that transatlantic UA leg?
#2 . UA serves my final destination nonstop, and there are earlier connecting flights from Lhr on the same partner. From the wiki, it looks like changes which would affect the non-UA flight aren't SDC-able. Is that correct?
May 30, 2019, 12:58 pm
#5393
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Has anyone SDC'd an international itinerary with UA followed by a partner flight recently? I am flying a daytime UA transatlantic to LHR, followed by a connection on a partner the next morning. LHR is closed overnight, so I would like to SDC to an earlier or later UA flight to LHR (to either have the full day, or a shorter connection). The onward partner flight would remain the same. Basically my goal is to avoid a pure, inconvenient overnight layover at Lhr.
#1 : Is it possible in theory to SDC that transatlantic UA leg?
#1 : Is it possible in theory to SDC that transatlantic UA leg?
#2 . UA serves my final destination nonstop, and there are earlier connecting flights from Lhr on the same partner. From the wiki, it looks like changes which would affect the non-UA flight aren't SDC-able. Is that correct?
May 31, 2019, 10:44 am
#5394
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
No go on the R to Y SDC... . Two agents quoted fare difference since Y/B was lot more expensive. R it is 😂
. Two agents quoted fare difference since Y/B was lot more expensive. R it is 😂
May 31, 2019, 11:00 am
#5395
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
I could now confirm that SDC is only available for the same calendar day changes online via united.com and via the United app.
Changes for the day before or the day after of the original flight date must now be made via the United Call Center.
Changes for the day before or the day after of the original flight date must now be made via the United Call Center.
Jun 2, 2019, 3:55 am
#5396
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA: Platinum
Posts: 49
Are you sure? I was able to change an LAX-LAS flight last week to the next day via the website... the app however, didn't give me the next-day options.
Jun 2, 2019, 9:16 am
#5397
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
The “change flights” link on the website? (Not the actual SDC function; extremely hit or miss?) Or, from within the check-in process on the website (SDC)?
Jun 2, 2019, 6:04 pm
#5398
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Orange County, CA (SNA)
Programs: AA ConciergeKey | UA Plat | UA 2M Miler | Marriott Plat | Hilton Gold | Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26
Premier 1k same day flight change options for Reward ticket
As a Premier 1k I am very familiar with the same day (within 24 hour) options I have for changing flights, through the app and via the 1K desk. I haven't been able to find a clear answer to what options, if any, I have if I am using a reward ticket.
I am traveling from SNA to IAH on 6/7/19 and returning on 6/9/19, and want to consider taking an earlier morning return flight on 6/9/19, instead of the evening flight I am currently booked on. If I change the return flight now, there is no change fee since I am 1k, however the mileage required for the return flight is nearly triple what I was charged for my original return flight.
Within 24 hours of travel, are Premier 1k travelers afforded the same $0 flight change options, when seats are available, if you are traveling on a reward ticket? Or do they always require miles to change flights?
I am traveling from SNA to IAH on 6/7/19 and returning on 6/9/19, and want to consider taking an earlier morning return flight on 6/9/19, instead of the evening flight I am currently booked on. If I change the return flight now, there is no change fee since I am 1k, however the mileage required for the return flight is nearly triple what I was charged for my original return flight.
Within 24 hours of travel, are Premier 1k travelers afforded the same $0 flight change options, when seats are available, if you are traveling on a reward ticket? Or do they always require miles to change flights?
Jun 2, 2019, 6:10 pm
#5399
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 459
If there’s award space in same fare class, if not you can standby - same rule as standard cash fare sdc
Jun 2, 2019, 6:16 pm
#5400
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA Gold, SPG Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 991
You can always cancel and rebook since 1Ks aren't charged to cancel a reward flight.