Author Topic: United Same Day Change  (Read 1100 times)

Offline gubevo18

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United Same Day Change
« on: October 10, 2021, 07:52:40 AM »
No experience doing this before so would love some input from the forum. I have a scheduled paid business class flight from EWR to TLV tomorrow at 4:25 PM. Something came up and I’d really prefer to get on tonight’s flight at 11:10. As of now there are six seats available in business class. Any way to get them to change my flight for free without paying the fare difference (which is obviously huge)? Does it help that it is within 24 hours of my scheduled departure?

Thanks a lot. Any help is appreciated

Offline Dan

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Re: United Same Day Change
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2021, 08:00:28 AM »
You may be able to switch for free at 4:25pm today.
You may also want to save some of that inventory...
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline gubevo18

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Re: United Same Day Change
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2021, 08:51:14 AM »
You may be able to switch for free at 4:25pm today.
You may also want to save some of that inventory...
thanks! Is that dependent on the fare class? When I called United they said I wouldn't be able to get out fare difference even if I call later. Of course, it was just a phone rep and he could have no clue what he is talking about.

Also, do you know what my chances are if I try flying standby? How early do I need to get to the airport to do that? Are premiers who booked in economy going to go before me who has a flight the next day?

(I live a few hours from EWR so I'm willing to go on the chance but trying to figure out if it's worth it. TIA)

Offline Dan

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Re: United Same Day Change
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2021, 09:19:02 AM »
Sorry, misread what you wrote, thought you wanted to go tomorrow.

You can certainly try going standby if you can't get any agents to clear you onto tonight's flight. Same inventory advice applies, but make sure it has no connection to you.
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Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: United Same Day Change
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2021, 10:40:43 AM »
On domestic flights the app will allow you to list as Standby on an earlier flight, not sure about Int'l.

You then see your place in line in the upgrade list / SBY list.

They clear the SBY list 45-60 min before departure if there are still seats left. I believe you don't lose your original seat until you board the new flight.
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Offline shimino1

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Re: United Same Day Change
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2021, 05:38:43 AM »
Curious about what happened at the end and if you used Dan's idea...

Offline gubevo18

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Re: United Same Day Change
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2021, 10:43:52 PM »
Curious about what happened at the end and if you used Dan's idea...

Did not use Dan's idea but in the end I got on the flight. There were a number of empty seats but when I got the airport the supervisor told me I can't fly standby because it's on a different date but had the flight departed at 12:01 AM a few minutes later I could have done it.
I think he was wrong but either way he's the one making the decisions  i told him that the phone reps led me on to believe otherwise so he was kind enough to get me in the flight

Offline shimino1

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Re: United Same Day Change
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2021, 04:40:24 PM »
Did not use Dan's idea but in the end I got on the flight. There were a number of empty seats but when I got the airport the supervisor told me I can't fly standby because it's on a different date but had the flight departed at 12:01 AM a few minutes later I could have done it.
I think he was wrong but either way he's the one making the decisions  i told him that the phone reps led me on to believe otherwise so he was kind enough to get me in the flight
All's well that ends well.

Offline Deal Guy

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Re: United Same Day Change
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2021, 11:47:29 AM »
Domestic flight.

I had a choice of 2 flights on same day at time of booking, for same price on basic economy. I booked the later one. Now, 5 days before the flight, basic economy is no longer available, but they are both available for the same price on reg economy (which is $30 more than I paid).

Can I get them to switch me to the earlier one for free, since both flights have always been equal in price comparison to each other?
(I'm not asking about standby, I'm asking if I can call them today on the phone.)
Thanks.

Online ckmk47

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Re: United Same Day Change
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2021, 11:56:08 AM »
IDK what the rules are, but I'm a believer in calling. With the right phone rep, sometime magic can happen.
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