Upgrading into international business class on a refundable economy ticket
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 20
Upgrading into international business class on a refundable economy ticket
I booked 2 B fare class (refundable economy) tickets for JFK-BRU in November. It cost about $3500/person. I won't know for sure whether I will be traveling this itinerary for a few months. (As of today, a non-refundible ticket in business Z is $5135, and refundable business D is $8195.)
I do know for sure that if I do end up traveling, I would like to be in business class, so my plan is when I decide definitively, either to cancel the B booking and purchase a non-refundable business class fare (on DL or a competitor), or use miles/cash to pay for the upgrade. (I might have Delta silver status by then, but probably not). But it occurred to me that perhaps I could call Delta now and ask to use miles to upgrade and have those miles redeposited if I cancel the itinerary. Is that possible?
What is FlyerTalk's strategic advice here to maximize the likelihood of business class at a reasonable expense? (Say, less than the difference between Z and B.)
I do know for sure that if I do end up traveling, I would like to be in business class, so my plan is when I decide definitively, either to cancel the B booking and purchase a non-refundable business class fare (on DL or a competitor), or use miles/cash to pay for the upgrade. (I might have Delta silver status by then, but probably not). But it occurred to me that perhaps I could call Delta now and ask to use miles to upgrade and have those miles redeposited if I cancel the itinerary. Is that possible?
What is FlyerTalk's strategic advice here to maximize the likelihood of business class at a reasonable expense? (Say, less than the difference between Z and B.)
#2
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Platinum 100, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,687
Upgrading into international business class on a refundable economy ticket
Given that you have a B fare, if your dates are solidified and there is upgrade space, change to an M fare and upgrade with miles. If you care for the 1.5x MQM bonus, then stick with the B fare and upgrade with miles.
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,326
I booked 2 B fare class (refundable economy) tickets for JFK-BRU in November. It cost about $3500/person. I won't know for sure whether I will be traveling this itinerary for a few months. (As of today, a non-refundible ticket in business Z is $5135, and refundable business D is $8195.)
I do know for sure that if I do end up traveling, I would like to be in business class, so my plan is when I decide definitively, either to cancel the B booking and purchase a non-refundable business class fare (on DL or a competitor), or use miles/cash to pay for the upgrade. (I might have Delta silver status by then, but probably not). But it occurred to me that perhaps I could call Delta now and ask to use miles to upgrade and have those miles redeposited if I cancel the itinerary. Is that possible?
What is FlyerTalk's strategic advice here to maximize the likelihood of business class at a reasonable expense? (Say, less than the difference between Z and B.)
I do know for sure that if I do end up traveling, I would like to be in business class, so my plan is when I decide definitively, either to cancel the B booking and purchase a non-refundable business class fare (on DL or a competitor), or use miles/cash to pay for the upgrade. (I might have Delta silver status by then, but probably not). But it occurred to me that perhaps I could call Delta now and ask to use miles to upgrade and have those miles redeposited if I cancel the itinerary. Is that possible?
What is FlyerTalk's strategic advice here to maximize the likelihood of business class at a reasonable expense? (Say, less than the difference between Z and B.)
IIRC if you upgrade with miles and then cancel the ticket, there will be a $150 fee to have the miles returned. It's still less than the miles are worth.
FULL Y class fares require fewer miles to upgrade and might not cost much more than B.
Also, are you sure that your B fare is FULLY refundable with NO FEES (as well as fully changeable with no fees)? Some B fares are not and DL sometimes uses the word refundable to mean (partially) refundable for a fee.
Finally, you seem to be assuming that upgrade inventory is available on your flights. Do not assume, even if the seat map is empty.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 20
These are all round-trip fares. Now that I look at delta.com again I see where I could have searched for Y class - rookie mistake! Y is $5017 for the same itinerary though. Big jump.
At least one of my main concerns here is about timing - should I call and try to upgrade now, or wait until I'm sure I will be flying. $150 (per person?) seems like a reasonable price for that option.
How does one check for upgrade availability (the seat map does seem mostly empty) - just call Delta?
I was able to pick my preferred Comfort+ seat so if I am stuck in economy it's not the end of the world. Just a very strong preference for business.
At least one of my main concerns here is about timing - should I call and try to upgrade now, or wait until I'm sure I will be flying. $150 (per person?) seems like a reasonable price for that option.
How does one check for upgrade availability (the seat map does seem mostly empty) - just call Delta?
I was able to pick my preferred Comfort+ seat so if I am stuck in economy it's not the end of the world. Just a very strong preference for business.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,411
Yes, you need to call Delta for a mileage upgrade. It should be 25,000 miles per person each way.
This is a good use of miles if you can find the upgrade. But beware, the fees could add up if you need to make changes depending on the exact rule of your ticket. When you call to ask about the upgrade, also ask about the exact fare rules.
If your specific flight does not have upgrades, you could ask for alternative routing that has upgrade inventory.
Also, by the way, if you were to switch to Y, it would be 15,000 miles instead of 25K. Not worth the cost.
This is a good use of miles if you can find the upgrade. But beware, the fees could add up if you need to make changes depending on the exact rule of your ticket. When you call to ask about the upgrade, also ask about the exact fare rules.
If your specific flight does not have upgrades, you could ask for alternative routing that has upgrade inventory.
Also, by the way, if you were to switch to Y, it would be 15,000 miles instead of 25K. Not worth the cost.
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,326
These are all round-trip fares. Now that I look at delta.com again I see where I could have searched for Y class - rookie mistake! Y is $5017 for the same itinerary though. Big jump.
At least one of my main concerns here is about timing - should I call and try to upgrade now, or wait until I'm sure I will be flying. $150 (per person?) seems like a reasonable price for that option.
How does one check for upgrade availability (the seat map does seem mostly empty) - just call Delta?
I was able to pick my preferred Comfort+ seat so if I am stuck in economy it's not the end of the world. Just a very strong preference for business.
At least one of my main concerns here is about timing - should I call and try to upgrade now, or wait until I'm sure I will be flying. $150 (per person?) seems like a reasonable price for that option.
How does one check for upgrade availability (the seat map does seem mostly empty) - just call Delta?
I was able to pick my preferred Comfort+ seat so if I am stuck in economy it's not the end of the world. Just a very strong preference for business.
#12
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,411
#13
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Platinum 100, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,687
Upgrading into international business class on a refundable economy ticket
Don't see it written anywhere, but just did a dummy booking when logged out and it's allowing me to select C+ seats for free with my SM# not in there
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,326
#15
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Platinum 100, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,687