Using RUC when already upgraded
Feb 19, 2016, 10:30 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Using RUC when already upgraded
I have a connection, JFK-LAX-LAS, with a RUC waitlisted on the JFK-LAX segment. I'd like the RUC to clear so I can SDC (both segments).
My medallion upgrade on the LAX-LAS segment just cleared. So, if the RUC clears on the JFK-LAX segment, I'll be in the position of asking Delta to apply a RUC to a segment that was already upgraded (because I need that to SDC).
I wonder what will happen.
My medallion upgrade on the LAX-LAS segment just cleared. So, if the RUC clears on the JFK-LAX segment, I'll be in the position of asking Delta to apply a RUC to a segment that was already upgraded (because I need that to SDC).
I wonder what will happen.
Feb 20, 2016, 1:35 am
#2
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: 100,445
My guess would be that your upgrade goes back to the waitlist unless you're doing this on the day of departure. Before (roughly) gate control, free elite upgrades and instrument supported upgrades come from and require different inventory classes.
Feb 21, 2016, 2:22 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
How can I be waitlisted when I'm already in F?
Feb 21, 2016, 4:06 pm
#4
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: 27,150
You'll be in F on the free upgrade. When you ask to apply the ruc, they'll have to downgrade you to Y. Then if there's upgrade space for RUCS clear you. Since they come from different buckets, there's no promise that your ruc will clear just because the freebie would.
Feb 21, 2016, 5:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL DM, 2MM
Posts: 732
I think you can ask the to apply the RUC only to the JFK/LAX segment. I've done this with international flights when I got upgraded only for the domestic portion with the free upgrade.
Feb 21, 2016, 5:50 pm
#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: 100,445
OP wants to be able to easily SDC the whole trip. Using the RUC means that the OP can SDC into any available FC seat and keep the upgrades. Otherwise the segment with the free elite upgrade with SDC into coach only if the original coach fare class is available and become SDS otherwise.
Feb 21, 2016, 6:25 pm
#7
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: 27,150
If you read the OP he is applied the RUC for JFK-LAX, but has cleared free upgrade on the LAX-LAS flight. He wants to know if he clears the JFK-LAX flight what will happen if he tries to apply the RUC to the LAX-LAS flight so that can take advantage of SDC First class policy.
Feb 21, 2016, 7:32 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: home airport RSW
Programs: Delta Plat, Marriott Life Gold, ***Princess Status***
Posts: 875
Tread carefully
I have had an agent uncheck my free upgrade on a leg I had already cleared with status when applying a RUC in the past. What will happen is you'll be pulled back to coach assigned a random seat, or worse placed in waiting seat assignment and then placed on the wait list for upgrade. I found this out when I had my 3B seat boarding pass scanned after applying a RUC on my second leg and a 1B ticket spit out. The gate agent proudly explained "congrats you were upgraded, in fact I just processed you, you were on the stand-by list"
I have had an agent uncheck my free upgrade on a leg I had already cleared with status when applying a RUC in the past. What will happen is you'll be pulled back to coach assigned a random seat, or worse placed in waiting seat assignment and then placed on the wait list for upgrade. I found this out when I had my 3B seat boarding pass scanned after applying a RUC on my second leg and a 1B ticket spit out. The gate agent proudly explained "congrats you were upgraded, in fact I just processed you, you were on the stand-by list"
Feb 21, 2016, 7:52 pm
#9
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: 100,445
Tread carefully
I have had an agent uncheck my free upgrade on a leg I had already cleared with status when applying a RUC in the past. What will happen is you'll be pulled back to coach assigned a random seat, or worse placed in waiting seat assignment and then placed on the wait list for upgrade. I found this out when I had my 3B seat boarding pass scanned after applying a RUC on my second leg and a 1B ticket spit out. The gate agent proudly explained "congrats you were upgraded, in fact I just processed you, you were on the stand-by list"
I have had an agent uncheck my free upgrade on a leg I had already cleared with status when applying a RUC in the past. What will happen is you'll be pulled back to coach assigned a random seat, or worse placed in waiting seat assignment and then placed on the wait list for upgrade. I found this out when I had my 3B seat boarding pass scanned after applying a RUC on my second leg and a 1B ticket spit out. The gate agent proudly explained "congrats you were upgraded, in fact I just processed you, you were on the stand-by list"
Feb 24, 2016, 9:55 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
But I'm #3 for 1 seat, so I don't see this RUC clearing in advance anyway
Feb 25, 2016, 12:20 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: home airport RSW
Programs: Delta Plat, Marriott Life Gold, ***Princess Status***
Posts: 875