JohnneeO

It seems like the “best” solution is for the OP to book a separate O/W from SFO-EWR, but is worried about UA flagging the O/W and canceling one or both PNR’s.

Presumably, the OP’s MP # would be the mechanism that UA would use to flag both itineraries as belonging to the OP.

So why not book the SFO-EWR O/W without any MP#? Then, after the O/B is flown, cancel the return, and then the OP can add their MP# to the O/W reservation. This might result in the OP losing opportunities regarding upgrades etc., but it would allow the OP to fly their desired routing at the lowest cost while eliminating the uncertainties that come with relying on SDC and stand-by.

Thoughts?

mozilla

If there is no MP# attached, it can compare Secure Flight data.

pbr6891

So in the end here is what happened .. .at t-24 I tried to do an SDC online but united.com showed no availability on direct flights whatsoever ... I tried a direct one way booking on united.com to understand ... low and behold plenty availability even in my S bucket ...
Called united .. no problem .. indeed plenty of options .. S bucket available -> success SDC done at no cost ... (still unclear why SDC online showed no flights)

And at T-24 of the IAD-EWR I went online ,,, and for that one SDC online worked as expected ... success with SDC ...

Thank you for all your advice .. .

I just subscribed to experflyer based on some of your comments and started to explore for future reference ....

I looked up one of the fare rules for a one way S bucket fare IAD-SFO ...
the "voluntary changes" section has the following text below....
the section I highlighted in Red seem to be what i was expecting (not touching the fare of 1st segment ).... but I am not clear how the several "or" options in this box applies ...
there are obvious things like "before trip started" or not ... but in other case its not jumping at me .. and I am not sure I understand the terminology (like "pricing unit" )
-> do you know of a good reference book / tutorial on how to decrypt the fare language ?
(hopefully I dont need to register for a full blown travel agent course to satisfy my curiosity)

IN THE EVENT OF CHANGES TO TICKETED FLIGHTS
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF UA INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 200.00 FOR REISSUE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL
CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS - DISCOUNTS APPLY - NO FEE FOR
INFANTS W/O SEAT AND
REPRICE USING CURRENT FARES - ONLY BOOKING CODE
CHANGES PERMITTED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. NO CHANGE TO FARE BREAKS
2. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
3. CHANGE IS ON/BEFORE DAY OF ORIGINAL SCHEDULED
FLIGHT
4. SAME TRAVEL DATES
5. UA FARES ARE USED
6. UA ANY FARE TYPE EXCEPT EOU/ERU ARE USED
7. PUBLIC FARES ARE USED IF TICKETED FARE IS IN
PUBLIC TARIFF. PRIVATE FARES ARE USED IF TICKETED
FARE IS IN PRIVATE TARIFF
8. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE REFUND RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT - REFUND VIA MCO
ENDORSEMENT BOX - NEW ENDORSEMENTS.
OR -
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF UA INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 200.00 FOR REISSUE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL
CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS - DISCOUNTS APPLY - NO FEE FOR
INFANTS W/O SEAT AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT TODAY
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. AC/UA FARES ARE USED
2. UA ANY FARE TYPE EXCEPT EOU/ERU ARE USED
3. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE REFUND RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT - REFUND VIA MCO
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMT AND NEW
ENDORSEMENTS.
OR -
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF UA INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 200.00 FOR REISSUE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL
CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS - DISCOUNTS APPLY - NO FEE FOR
INFANTS W/O SEAT AND
REPRICE USING CURRENTLY TKTD FARE
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FLIGHT COUPON/FARE BREAKS
2. SAME FARE ON 1ST FARE COMPONENT IS USED
3. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
4. AC/UA SAME FARE CLASS IS USED
5. UA ANY FARE TYPE EXCEPT EOU/ERU ARE USED
6. PUBLIC FARES ARE USED IF TICKETED FARE IS IN
PUBLIC TARIFF. PRIVATE FARES ARE USED IF TICKETED
FARE IS IN PRIVATE TARIFF
7. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
8. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMT AND NEW
ENDORSEMENTS.
OR -
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF UA INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 200.00 FOR REISSUE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL
CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS - DISCOUNTS APPLY - NO FEE FOR
INFANTS W/O SEAT AND
REPRICE
A. CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS USE FARES IN EFFECT
TODAY
B. ALL OTHERS USE CURRENTLY TKTD FARE
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
2. AC/UA FARES ARE USED
3. UA ANY FARE TYPE EXCEPT EOU/ERU ARE USED
4. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
5. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM NEW TKT ISSUE DATE IF
CURRENT FARES/FROM PREVIOUS TKT ISSUE DATE IF
HISTORICAL FARES TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE REFUND RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT - REFUND VIA MCO
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMT AND NEW
ENDORSEMENTS.
OR -
AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF UA INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 200.00 FOR REISSUE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL
CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS - DISCOUNTS APPLY - NO FEE FOR
INFANTS W/O SEAT AND
REPRICE USING CURRENTLY TKTD FARE
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FLIGHT COUPON/FARE BREAKS
2. SAME FARE ON 1ST FARE COMPONENT IS USED
3. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
4. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
5. AC/UA SAME FARE CLASS IS USED
6. UA ANY FARE TYPE EXCEPT EOU/ERU ARE USED
7. PUBLIC FARES ARE USED IF TICKETED FARE IS IN
PUBLIC TARIFF. PRIVATE FARES ARE USED IF TICKETED
FARE IS IN PRIVATE TARIFF
8. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
9. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMT AND NEW
ENDORSEMENTS.
OR -
AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF UA INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 200.00 FOR REISSUE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL
CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS - DISCOUNTS APPLY - NO FEE FOR
INFANTS W/O SEAT AND
REPRICE
A. FULLY FLOWN FARE COMPONENTS USE FARES IN EFFECT
WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
B. ALL OTHERS USE FARES IN EFFECT TODAY
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
2. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
3. AC/UA FARES ARE USED
4. UA ANY FARE TYPE EXCEPT EOU/ERU ARE USED
5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM NEW TKT ISSUE DATE IF
CURRENT FARES/FROM PREVIOUS TKT ISSUE DATE IF
HISTORICAL FARES TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
OR -
REPRICE
A. CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS USE FARES IN EFFECT
TODAY
B. ALL OTHERS USE CURRENTLY TKTD FARE
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
2. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
3. AC/UA FARES ARE USED
4. UA ANY FARE TYPE EXCEPT EOU/ERU ARE USED
5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM NEW TKT ISSUE DATE IF
CURRENT FARES/FROM PREVIOUS TKT ISSUE DATE IF
HISTORICAL FARES TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE REFUND RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT - REFUND VIA MCO
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMT AND NEW
ENDORSEMENTS.
.

mozilla

You need to read it like a computer would read it because it's actually designed to be interpreted by computers while keeping it readable for humans (which explains the awkward wording sometimes). In the case of 'OR', whenever there's a match, you can apply that provision.

ATPCO publishes a comprehensive (and imho, excellent) glossary for the jargon: https://www.atpco.net/glossary

A pricing unit is: "1. A one-way fare that is qualified in its own terms independent of any other fare component. 2. Combination of two or more fare components where one or more of the components is dependent upon all of the others to qualify for autopricing. Also called priceable unit."

Unfortunately, I don't know of a good layman book that covers it all. There are the IATA and ATPCO reference documents but those are 1000+ pages, with tons of irrelevant stuff, and they won't cover the UA specifics. I personally got the basics years ago from reading " " (I'm afraid it's a bit dated by now) and built on that by reading a lot here on FT and working with EF, ITA Matrix and other tools and by discussing a lot of stuff with my TA .

Hope someone else knows a good suggestion.