May 24, 2017, 7:48 am
Last edit by: gooselee
How post-purchase upgrades work: Based on Delta's announcement 24 May, anyone who purchases a ticket for coach can purchase a Comfort+ or First Class upgrade. No mention was made of Delta One. Upgrades are available as of 24 May via phone or web; app functionality is pending according to the airline. No mention of relative cost was provided.
Some further details here:Delta to Offer A Variety of Ways to Upgrade Tickets After Purchase
Link to Delta's press release: http://news.delta.com/delta-expands-...age-upgrades-0
Link to Delta.com page about the changes: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-upgrades.html
Partial T&Cs, emphases mine:
Terms and Conditions:
The advertised price is not an offer and is subject to change. No contract exists until you receive confirmation that payment was received and processed. Upgrades may only be purchased for Delta- or Delta Connection- operated flights and are not available for Award Tickets and certain discounted and exception fares. Additional eligibility restrictions may apply at Delta's sole discretion. All passengers within the confirmation number must be upgraded to Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+ TM, or First/Delta One fare classes. Fare rules of your initial reservation will apply regardless of whether rules that would otherwise apply to the fare class of your upgraded ticket are less restrictive, i.e. changeability/refundability. Upgraded tickets are eligible for additional mileage, Medallion Qualification Miles and Medallion Qualification Dollars accruals due to the selection of Delta Comfort+ TM or First/Delta One and associated fare classes, and the increase in base fare or carrier imposed surcharges paid in connection with your upgrade.
Some further details here:Delta to Offer A Variety of Ways to Upgrade Tickets After Purchase
Link to Delta's press release: http://news.delta.com/delta-expands-...age-upgrades-0
Link to Delta.com page about the changes: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-upgrades.html
Partial T&Cs, emphases mine:
Terms and Conditions:
The advertised price is not an offer and is subject to change. No contract exists until you receive confirmation that payment was received and processed. Upgrades may only be purchased for Delta- or Delta Connection- operated flights and are not available for Award Tickets and certain discounted and exception fares. Additional eligibility restrictions may apply at Delta's sole discretion. All passengers within the confirmation number must be upgraded to Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+ TM, or First/Delta One fare classes. Fare rules of your initial reservation will apply regardless of whether rules that would otherwise apply to the fare class of your upgraded ticket are less restrictive, i.e. changeability/refundability. Upgraded tickets are eligible for additional mileage, Medallion Qualification Miles and Medallion Qualification Dollars accruals due to the selection of Delta Comfort+ TM or First/Delta One and associated fare classes, and the increase in base fare or carrier imposed surcharges paid in connection with your upgrade.
Delta Adding Post-Purchase Comfort+, FC Upgrade Purchases
May 25, 2017, 7:09 pm
#91
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 585
This is happening to me (a DM) more and more on TPAC flights in/out NRT where C+ seats are being "revenue controlled" in increasing numbers.
Oh, by the way, as I was deplaning DL275 at NRT a few days ago, there was an agent holding up a sign for "Delta360 xxxxxxxx Seat 58B"
Last edited by fpmurphy; May 25, 2017 at 7:16 pm
May 25, 2017, 10:43 pm
#92
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,878
True. And one more example, just for fun. Let's say there are 5 DM/PMs (2 opt in, 3 opt out) and 3 upgrades available. The 2 opt-ins get upgraded. The fastest finger opt-out gets upgraded. The rest have to wait to see if more upgrade inventory becomes available
May 26, 2017, 8:23 am
#93
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: midwest
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 920
So far this is really annoying for me. There seems to be a gap space for folks who "Opt In" for F but "Opt Out" for C+.
This may be something Delta didn't game out properly, so if one is - like me - straddling, then even after "Opting In" for a C+ on a specific leg of an ITN, you can't move back, nor can you see offers for F. That last part makes me think they didn't think it thru right.
Do folks who are fully opted IN see no FCM offers with this new program?
On the other hand, I can see Delta hoping for folks like me to be pushed to pick one strategy or the other and not straddle the F/C+ Opt Ins and then flight-by-flight opt in for C+.
General sense as this rolls out? Another Delta program that is complicated, a bit clunky, and doesn't really make some of us any happier. Wah-wah.
This may be something Delta didn't game out properly, so if one is - like me - straddling, then even after "Opting In" for a C+ on a specific leg of an ITN, you can't move back, nor can you see offers for F. That last part makes me think they didn't think it thru right.
Do folks who are fully opted IN see no FCM offers with this new program?
On the other hand, I can see Delta hoping for folks like me to be pushed to pick one strategy or the other and not straddle the F/C+ Opt Ins and then flight-by-flight opt in for C+.
General sense as this rolls out? Another Delta program that is complicated, a bit clunky, and doesn't really make some of us any happier. Wah-wah.
May 26, 2017, 8:48 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
So far this is really annoying for me. There seems to be a gap space for folks who "Opt In" for F but "Opt Out" for C+.
This may be something Delta didn't game out properly, so if one is - like me - straddling, then even after "Opting In" for a C+ on a specific leg of an ITN, you can't move back, nor can you see offers for F. That last part makes me think they didn't think it thru right.
Do folks who are fully opted IN see no FCM offers with this new program?
On the other hand, I can see Delta hoping for folks like me to be pushed to pick one strategy or the other and not straddle the F/C+ Opt Ins and then flight-by-flight opt in for C+.
General sense as this rolls out? Another Delta program that is complicated, a bit clunky, and doesn't really make some of us any happier. Wah-wah.
This may be something Delta didn't game out properly, so if one is - like me - straddling, then even after "Opting In" for a C+ on a specific leg of an ITN, you can't move back, nor can you see offers for F. That last part makes me think they didn't think it thru right.
Do folks who are fully opted IN see no FCM offers with this new program?
On the other hand, I can see Delta hoping for folks like me to be pushed to pick one strategy or the other and not straddle the F/C+ Opt Ins and then flight-by-flight opt in for C+.
General sense as this rolls out? Another Delta program that is complicated, a bit clunky, and doesn't really make some of us any happier. Wah-wah.
May 26, 2017, 8:49 am
#95
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
So far this is really annoying for me. There seems to be a gap space for folks who "Opt In" for F but "Opt Out" for C+.
This may be something Delta didn't game out properly, so if one is - like me - straddling, then even after "Opting In" for a C+ on a specific leg of an ITN, you can't move back, nor can you see offers for F. That last part makes me think they didn't think it thru right.
Do folks who are fully opted IN see no FCM offers with this new program?
On the other hand, I can see Delta hoping for folks like me to be pushed to pick one strategy or the other and not straddle the F/C+ Opt Ins and then flight-by-flight opt in for C+.
General sense as this rolls out? Another Delta program that is complicated, a bit clunky, and doesn't really make some of us any happier. Wah-wah.
This may be something Delta didn't game out properly, so if one is - like me - straddling, then even after "Opting In" for a C+ on a specific leg of an ITN, you can't move back, nor can you see offers for F. That last part makes me think they didn't think it thru right.
Do folks who are fully opted IN see no FCM offers with this new program?
On the other hand, I can see Delta hoping for folks like me to be pushed to pick one strategy or the other and not straddle the F/C+ Opt Ins and then flight-by-flight opt in for C+.
General sense as this rolls out? Another Delta program that is complicated, a bit clunky, and doesn't really make some of us any happier. Wah-wah.
And you still see FCM offers even if you are opted in, since heaven forbid Delta would miss a chance to try to extract some more money from you. Indeed it looks like the FCM (and C+CM) interface is basically how Delta manages the opt-out process -- you see the FCM box on the right side of the seat map regardless, and once your upgrade clears, the FCM price just changes to "free".
May 26, 2017, 10:19 am
#97
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Yeah, the pricing is crazy. On one of my trips (SFO-LAX) the round trip price difference between the coach fare I paid and the currently available A fare is $140. Using the new upgrade feature, they want $156 each way. More than double the cost of calling in to buy the first class upgrade.
I really hope that they don't change the policy of waiving the change fee when upgrading, but I could see that coming as a way to push people towards these new upgrade fees.
I really hope that they don't change the policy of waiving the change fee when upgrading, but I could see that coming as a way to push people towards these new upgrade fees.
May 26, 2017, 10:24 am
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Yeah, the pricing is crazy. On one of my trips (SFO-LAX) the round trip price difference between the coach fare I paid and the currently available A fare is $140. Using the new upgrade feature, they want $156 each way. More than double the cost of calling in to buy the first class upgrade....
Perhaps RM is just applying this principle.
May 26, 2017, 12:15 pm
#99
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: midwest
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 920
I think your needs are served here... you can opt in for F and opt out for C+. It's not clear if you can opt-in for C+ flight-by-flight, but hopefully so (just as you could choose to request C+ or not flight-by-flight before).
And you still see FCM offers even if you are opted in, since heaven forbid Delta would miss a chance to try to extract some more money from you. Indeed it looks like the FCM (and C+CM) interface is basically how Delta manages the opt-out process -- you see the FCM box on the right side of the seat map regardless, and once your upgrade clears, the FCM price just changes to "free". <emphasis added>.
And you still see FCM offers even if you are opted in, since heaven forbid Delta would miss a chance to try to extract some more money from you. Indeed it looks like the FCM (and C+CM) interface is basically how Delta manages the opt-out process -- you see the FCM box on the right side of the seat map regardless, and once your upgrade clears, the FCM price just changes to "free". <emphasis added>.
First image is the 'my trip' page that others see FCM offers just below Skypriority and above Flight Information (I WU'd on the outbound)
Second image is the return flight seat map. Just below the seat number box on the right is where DL's promo materials show I should see the buy up offers in little boxes.
IMO, the system is buggy, or not set up properly for Opt In for F / Opt Out for C+.
May 26, 2017, 1:02 pm
#100
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,878
May 26, 2017, 5:09 pm
#101
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: Delta - PM, HH - Gold, SPG - Gold, Marriott - Plat
Posts: 1,060
Sorry, but it isn't working that way for me. I see no offers at all, and a restricted seat map, even though, 93 days out, I can see plenty of F seats on a dummy booking and DL would be nuts not to sell FCM on a leisure flight like this.
First image is the 'my trip' page that others see FCM offers just below Skypriority and above Flight Information (I WU'd on the outbound)
Second image is the return flight seat map. Just below the seat number box on the right is where DL's promo materials show I should see the buy up offers in little boxes.
IMO, the system is buggy, or not set up properly for Opt In for F / Opt Out for C+.
First image is the 'my trip' page that others see FCM offers just below Skypriority and above Flight Information (I WU'd on the outbound)
Second image is the return flight seat map. Just below the seat number box on the right is where DL's promo materials show I should see the buy up offers in little boxes.
IMO, the system is buggy, or not set up properly for Opt In for F / Opt Out for C+.
I bought these tickets last Saturday and seeing C+ pretty open, I made the selection and we immediately were in C+ for all four flights (MCO-DTW-DCA-DTW-MCO). I now have an offer to upgrade to FC for $246.18 on the DTW-MCO and open seats are shown in FC, C+ and coach.
The best part is that if I am willing to also take FC seats on the DCA-DTW leg, then I can have both legs for only $213.93. It's the same exact deal on the flight up.
May 26, 2017, 11:55 pm
#102
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
Yeah, the pricing is crazy. On one of my trips (SFO-LAX) the round trip price difference between the coach fare I paid and the currently available A fare is $140. Using the new upgrade feature, they want $156 each way. More than double the cost of calling in to buy the first class upgrade.
I really hope that they don't change the policy of waiving the change fee when upgrading, but I could see that coming as a way to push people towards these new upgrade fees.
I really hope that they don't change the policy of waiving the change fee when upgrading, but I could see that coming as a way to push people towards these new upgrade fees.
I'm sure that Delta is building a massive set of data about how much they can charge for each route and will adjust prices accordingly. However, for the near future, I think we may see less FCM seats and more Medallion upgrade seats
May 27, 2017, 9:27 am
#104
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Westchester county, NY
Programs: DL DM, MAR gold
Posts: 175
Mrs EssexNYC and I are on separate PNRs flying home SLC-JFK in a couple of days (we met up after a work trip). I was auto-upgraded to C+ aisle and she (no status) is still window a few rows back. I called today to buy upgrade for her, and was quoted $276 to move her from economy window to the C+ middle seat next to me! 
May 27, 2017, 11:02 am
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,051
Sorry, but it isn't working that way for me. I see no offers at all, and a restricted seat map, even though, 93 days out, I can see plenty of F seats on a dummy booking and DL would be nuts not to sell FCM on a leisure flight like this.
First image is the 'my trip' page that others see FCM offers just below Skypriority and above Flight Information (I WU'd on the outbound)
Second image is the return flight seat map. Just below the seat number box on the right is where DL's promo materials show I should see the buy up offers in little boxes.
IMO, the system is buggy, or not set up properly for Opt In for F / Opt Out for C+.
First image is the 'my trip' page that others see FCM offers just below Skypriority and above Flight Information (I WU'd on the outbound)
Second image is the return flight seat map. Just below the seat number box on the right is where DL's promo materials show I should see the buy up offers in little boxes.
IMO, the system is buggy, or not set up properly for Opt In for F / Opt Out for C+.