Delta and Virgin Atlantic Partnership
Jul 18, 2016, 9:47 pm
#496
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,242
Ok, I just read the link a bit more carefully and there's some good news:
Global Upgrade Certificates can be used for Delta-marketed Virgin Atlantic flights outside of transatlantic travel, including Virgin’s London-Heathrow flights to Dubai, Shanghai, Johannesburg and Delhi.
Jul 18, 2016, 10:32 pm
#497
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,052
The problem is, it's not clear if you can buy those flights on a Delta flight number. They don't appear to show up on Delta.com under a Delta flight number, which isn't a good sign. Though it is even odder that they would call out those destinations in the release if you can't.
Jul 19, 2016, 5:49 am
#498
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pagus Bracbatensis, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Programs: DL SPlat, KLM Bump, Privium Plus, GOES
Posts: 2,066
IIRC A long time ago Delta had more or less the same rules for KLM flights and no upgrade to F on AF. However in practice on the DOD you could upgrade on KLM marketed/ticketed flights at AMS and outerstations as long as the agent knew what to do.
Same with DOD upgrades to F on AF.
Same with DOD upgrades to F on AF.
Jul 20, 2016, 8:38 am
#500
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pagus Bracbatensis, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Programs: DL SPlat, KLM Bump, Privium Plus, GOES
Posts: 2,066
Delta updated their page, gone are the Dubai, Shanghai, Johannesburg and Dehli destinations as is the premium pre-departure experience via car services:
Use Global Upgrade Certificates on Virgin Atlantic-Operated, Delta-Marketed Flights
Beginning July 15, 2016, SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members can now use Global Upgrade Certificates for all fare classes to upgrade into Virgin Atlantic Upper Class on flights marketed by Delta Air Lines. The changes provide greater choice to our Diamond Medallion members for travel from the United States to the United Kingdom, and reflect the growing connectivity of our schedules. Benefits of the Upper Class experience include:
Private security screening and Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge and Clubhouse access
Seating that converts into a fully-flat bed
Direct aisle access
Meals designed by celebrity chef Lorraine Pascale
Virgin Atlantic currently offers service to London-Heathrow from 11 US cities, as well as additional service from the United States to London-Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow.
Medallion members must contact Delta directly to apply the certificates for travel, and upgrades will remain subject to Award availability. Mileage accrual is based on the price of the original ticket before upgrade is applied.
Use Global Upgrade Certificates on Virgin Atlantic-Operated, Delta-Marketed Flights
Beginning July 15, 2016, SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members can now use Global Upgrade Certificates for all fare classes to upgrade into Virgin Atlantic Upper Class on flights marketed by Delta Air Lines. The changes provide greater choice to our Diamond Medallion members for travel from the United States to the United Kingdom, and reflect the growing connectivity of our schedules. Benefits of the Upper Class experience include:
Private security screening and Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge and Clubhouse access
Seating that converts into a fully-flat bed
Direct aisle access
Meals designed by celebrity chef Lorraine Pascale
Virgin Atlantic currently offers service to London-Heathrow from 11 US cities, as well as additional service from the United States to London-Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow.
Medallion members must contact Delta directly to apply the certificates for travel, and upgrades will remain subject to Award availability. Mileage accrual is based on the price of the original ticket before upgrade is applied.
Jul 21, 2016, 2:56 pm
#502
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Delta updated their page, gone are the Dubai, Shanghai, Johannesburg and Dehli destinations as is the premium pre-departure experience via car services:
Use Global Upgrade Certificates on Virgin Atlantic-Operated, Delta-Marketed Flights
Beginning July 15, 2016, SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members can now use Global Upgrade Certificates for all fare classes to upgrade into Virgin Atlantic Upper Class on flights marketed by Delta Air Lines. The changes provide greater choice to our Diamond Medallion members for travel from the United States to the United Kingdom, and reflect the growing connectivity of our schedules. Benefits of the Upper Class experience include:
Private security screening and Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge and Clubhouse access
Seating that converts into a fully-flat bed
Direct aisle access
Meals designed by celebrity chef Lorraine Pascale
Virgin Atlantic currently offers service to London-Heathrow from 11 US cities, as well as additional service from the United States to London-Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow.
Medallion members must contact Delta directly to apply the certificates for travel, and upgrades will remain subject to Award availability. Mileage accrual is based on the price of the original ticket before upgrade is applied.
Use Global Upgrade Certificates on Virgin Atlantic-Operated, Delta-Marketed Flights
Beginning July 15, 2016, SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members can now use Global Upgrade Certificates for all fare classes to upgrade into Virgin Atlantic Upper Class on flights marketed by Delta Air Lines. The changes provide greater choice to our Diamond Medallion members for travel from the United States to the United Kingdom, and reflect the growing connectivity of our schedules. Benefits of the Upper Class experience include:
Private security screening and Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge and Clubhouse access
Seating that converts into a fully-flat bed
Direct aisle access
Meals designed by celebrity chef Lorraine Pascale
Virgin Atlantic currently offers service to London-Heathrow from 11 US cities, as well as additional service from the United States to London-Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow.
Medallion members must contact Delta directly to apply the certificates for travel, and upgrades will remain subject to Award availability. Mileage accrual is based on the price of the original ticket before upgrade is applied.
Jul 21, 2016, 3:10 pm
#503
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,090
Jul 21, 2016, 3:34 pm
#504
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,628
For example, I just found an 80,000 mile one way business class booking - IST-CDG-LHR-HKG.
And I've found DCA-XXX-LHR-India awards.
Jul 21, 2016, 4:18 pm
#505
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,052
I'm not sure that's true. I'm not sure what is meant by luxury tax here but I assume the poster is referring to the higher Air Passenger Duty? I have used GUCs on Delta metal from London before and did not pay any extra APD, though in the case in question the upgrade was waitlisted and only cleared just before departure, not sure if it would have been different if it had cleared in advance. Since you can't waitlist VS upgrades it might be different. I'd be curious to hear any experiences.
I also don't know how APD is enforced and if DL might have ended up having to pay extra tax for my late upgrade. If they do, perhaps they will charge it on VS upgrades, especially because VS would naturally pay more attention to that issue than DL would, being London based. I don't know if VS charges the higher APD for mileage upgrades for members of their own FFP? That might be indicative. I don't think I've ever heard about them charging more.
I also don't know how APD is enforced and if DL might have ended up having to pay extra tax for my late upgrade. If they do, perhaps they will charge it on VS upgrades, especially because VS would naturally pay more attention to that issue than DL would, being London based. I don't know if VS charges the higher APD for mileage upgrades for members of their own FFP? That might be indicative. I don't think I've ever heard about them charging more.
Jul 21, 2016, 4:26 pm
#506
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,090
I'm not sure that's true. I'm not sure what is meant by luxury tax here but I assume the poster is referring to the higher Air Passenger Duty? I have used GUCs on Delta metal from London before and did not pay any extra APD, though in the case in question the upgrade was waitlisted and only cleared just before departure, not sure if it would have been different if it had cleared in advance. Since you can't waitlist VS upgrades it might be different. I'd be curious to hear any experiences.
I also don't know how APD is enforced and if DL might have ended up having to pay extra tax for my late upgrade. If they do, perhaps they will charge it on VS upgrades, especially because VS would naturally pay more attention to that issue than DL would, being London based. I don't know if VS charges the higher APD for mileage upgrades for members of their own FFP? That might be indicative. I don't think I've ever heard about them charging more.
I also don't know how APD is enforced and if DL might have ended up having to pay extra tax for my late upgrade. If they do, perhaps they will charge it on VS upgrades, especially because VS would naturally pay more attention to that issue than DL would, being London based. I don't know if VS charges the higher APD for mileage upgrades for members of their own FFP? That might be indicative. I don't think I've ever heard about them charging more.
Enforcement is simple, if a passenger flies in J then the J APD is due. It doesn't matter when or how they get to sit in the cabin, just that they're seated in it. Who pays it is generally for most airlines a matter of if you clear prior or at the gate.
Last edited by flyerCO; Jul 21, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Jul 21, 2016, 4:27 pm
#507
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,631
I'm not sure that's true. I'm not sure what is meant by luxury tax here but I assume the poster is referring to the higher Air Passenger Duty? I have used GUCs on Delta metal from London before and did not pay any extra APD, though in the case in question the upgrade was waitlisted and only cleared just before departure, not sure if it would have been different if it had cleared in advance. Since you can't waitlist VS upgrades it might be different. I'd be curious to hear any experiences.
I also don't know how APD is enforced and if DL might have ended up having to pay extra tax for my late upgrade. If they do, perhaps they will charge it on VS upgrades, especially because VS would naturally pay more attention to that issue than DL would, being London based. I don't know if VS charges the higher APD for mileage upgrades for members of their own FFP? That might be indicative. I don't think I've ever heard about them charging more.
I also don't know how APD is enforced and if DL might have ended up having to pay extra tax for my late upgrade. If they do, perhaps they will charge it on VS upgrades, especially because VS would naturally pay more attention to that issue than DL would, being London based. I don't know if VS charges the higher APD for mileage upgrades for members of their own FFP? That might be indicative. I don't think I've ever heard about them charging more.
Aug 16, 2016, 1:15 am
#508
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,187
GUCs on Virgin Atlantic
An appropriate 10,000th post...
DMs can now use GUCs on VS!
DMs can now use GUCs on VS!
- Valid on Delta-marketed, Virgin Atlantic-operated flights for use globally on published Economy Cabin fares booked in W, Y, B, M, S, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V class to Upper Class.
- Global Upgrades on Virgin Atlantic flights must be confirmed 24 hours prior to departure.
- Global Upgrade Certificates may not be used to waitlist for a Virgin Atlantic-operated flight.
Aug 16, 2016, 1:54 am
#509
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,151
An appropriate 10,000th post...
DMs can now use GUCs on VS!
DMs can now use GUCs on VS!
- Valid on Delta-marketed, Virgin Atlantic-operated flights for use globally on published Economy Cabin fares booked in W, Y, B, M, S, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V class to Upper Class.
- Global Upgrades on Virgin Atlantic flights must be confirmed 24 hours prior to departure.
- Global Upgrade Certificates may not be used to waitlist for a Virgin Atlantic-operated flight.
Aug 16, 2016, 3:37 pm
#510
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,090
An appropriate 10,000th post...
DMs can now use GUCs on VS!
DMs can now use GUCs on VS!
- Valid on Delta-marketed, Virgin Atlantic-operated flights for use globally on published Economy Cabin fares booked in W, Y, B, M, S, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V class to Upper Class.
- Global Upgrades on Virgin Atlantic flights must be confirmed 24 hours prior to departure.
- Global Upgrade Certificates may not be used to waitlist for a Virgin Atlantic-operated flight.