Are there really this many DMs?

Old Feb 26, 2017, 8:41 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,876
Are there really this many DMs?

After checking in for my Monday afternoon flight from ATL-PHL, I saw I was 11/40 on the upgrade list on a T fare. I realize T is a rather low fare, but I was surprised to see 10 people ahead of me on the upgrade list, especially on a flight that has plenty of inventory remaining (the lowest of which is Q). I DMed Delta on Twitter to confirm there wasn't a mistake (after all, upgrade ordering mistakes have happened to me before) and they responded that there was no mistake and no one was using an upgrade certificate.

Do others here have experience on this route? Is this a notoriously elite-heavy route, or is this an anomaly?
rucksack is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 8:45 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt LT DM, Wyndham DM, Hertz PC, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,038
It's ATL. I've learned to deal with it.

I have seen DM and PM in the 20s or higher before.
dinanm3atl is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 9:01 pm
  #3  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,709
I've been 15/30 as a PM before on DCA-ATL.
KDCAflyer is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 9:27 pm
  #4  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,290
Don't forget DL's new UG policy that brings the upgrade priority to the person with the higher status now. So the 10 people ahead of you could have been anywhere from 10 DMs to 5 DMs with companions. And perhaps even a few PMs using RUCs on the list too.
ATOBTTR is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 9:37 pm
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,876
Originally Posted by ATOBTTR
Don't forget DL's new UG policy that brings the upgrade priority to the person with the higher status now. So the 10 people ahead of you could have been anywhere from 10 DMs to 5 DMs with companions. And perhaps even a few PMs using RUCs on the list too.
Good points although in this case no one above me appears to be companions since the first three of the last names are all different, and the Twitter agent confirmed no RUCs were being used.
rucksack is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 9:47 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
Originally Posted by ruckzac
Good points although in this case no one above me appears to be companions since the first three of the last names are all different, and the Twitter agent confirmed no RUCs were being used.
I don't think you can go by last names -- companion doesn't have to be a spouse and many couples have different last names anyway...

Last edited by TheMadBrewer; Feb 26, 2017 at 10:34 pm
TheMadBrewer is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 9:58 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: DL MM Plat, PC&HH Gold
Posts: 2,602
I was once something like 40th as a Plat.
doglover is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 10:14 pm
  #8  
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Originally Posted by doglover
I was once something like 40th as a Plat.
You didn't have your emotional support vest on?
davetravels is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 10:29 pm
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,241
I was recently on a very high fare as a PM and 28th on the list LAX-ATL. Not sure how that compares to ATL-PHL but as a PM I don't even think about upgrades anymore since I fly predominately elite-heavy routes.

I used to travel with 8-10 other co-workers and the majority were top-tier status. So it could be a situation like that.
CPMaverick is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 11:06 pm
  #10  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K MM, Subway Club Member
Posts: 1,987
T is on the lower end of the fare classes. There is a whole group of business travelers who book just a day or two in advance and are lucky if they get an H fare. To have 10 or so of them ex-ATL isn't suprising at all.
kenn0223 is offline  
Old Feb 27, 2017, 6:12 am
  #11  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,988
Was 5/58 SFO-ATL yesterday on H fare. Didn't clear on the A330 with 1 seat in first.

As PM I never got upgraded when connecting thru ATL
kxc262 is offline  
Old Feb 27, 2017, 6:31 am
  #12  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,450
Yes, there really at that many DMs. If you are flying out of ATL, DM on T fare means your upgrade odds are still LOW.
Orange County Commuter is offline  
Old Feb 27, 2017, 7:07 am
  #13  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
One's position is really, really going to vary by route, day of week, and time of flight. There are lots of business travelers on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Their (our?) travels are not randomly nor evenly distributed across the seven-day week.
3Cforme is offline  
Old Feb 27, 2017, 7:28 am
  #14  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,021
I've been as high as 13 before as a DM, and definitely land in the 6-9 spot quite a bit, esp on Thursday evening.
kitkat77 is offline  
Old Feb 27, 2017, 7:59 am
  #15  
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: AGS, CAE
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 4
Friday morning 2/24 SLC-ATL I was #15 as a DM on an H fare.
CarmenSandiego747 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.