Upgrade help
Jun 18, 2017, 5:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: DTW
Programs: SkyMiles
Posts: 12
Upgrade help
I have a T fare ticket DTW-MCO and would like to upgrade with miles. I can't find my answer on DL website and I'm just short of calling. Figured I would ask here first since y'all are my "go to" for answers. I have X fare inbound but I'm not concerned about getting upgrade for that leg. Is this a feasible option? Thanks!
Jun 18, 2017, 5:35 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
Welcome to FlyerTalk, dtwmsy! 
You can upgrade the T fare with miles if there is mileage upgrade inventory, which is not guaranteed. I don't know how many miles will be required, I'm sure somebody will know and post it shortly. However, I would suspect it will be a poor value.
You may want to consider seeing if you have a FCM (First Class Monetization) pay-to-upgrade offer. You can do this by looking at the itinerary or seat-map on Delta.com.
Finally, you may want to hold off on calling for a day or two. I just tried to call as a PM and was told an hour wait, apparently there is severe weather on the East Coast.
You can upgrade the T fare with miles if there is mileage upgrade inventory, which is not guaranteed. I don't know how many miles will be required, I'm sure somebody will know and post it shortly. However, I would suspect it will be a poor value.
You may want to consider seeing if you have a FCM (First Class Monetization) pay-to-upgrade offer. You can do this by looking at the itinerary or seat-map on Delta.com.
Finally, you may want to hold off on calling for a day or two. I just tried to call as a PM and was told an hour wait, apparently there is severe weather on the East Coast.
Jun 18, 2017, 5:42 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: DTW
Programs: SkyMiles
Posts: 12
Thanks, CW! The C+ cash upgrade was $89 and FC was $269. I would rather use miles if possible. I can't believe they want that much for C+. I used to pay less than $50 for C+ upgrade and would normally do it when I did online check in. I try to fly nonrev but the availability can be slim to none and I wanted a confirmed seat (Disney!!). Thanks for your help!
Jun 18, 2017, 5:45 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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Posts: 16,273
Upgrading with miles from a T fare will run 30k each way, based on what we know of the hidden award charts.
Jun 18, 2017, 5:47 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
Thanks, CW! The C+ cash upgrade was $89 and FC was $269. I would rather use miles if possible. I can't believe they want that much for C+. I used to pay less than $50 for C+ upgrade and would normally do it when I did online check in. I try to fly nonrev but the availability can be slim to none and I wanted a confirmed seat (Disney!!). Thanks for your help!
Assuming that you're not flying imminently, I would keep your eyes on the FC upgrade price and see if it fluctuates.
I'm sure somebody will be along who can tell you what the mileage cost would be.
Finally, note that there has been extensive discussion on this board recently about the changes to FCM. You may be seeing a price online that is not the same as the difference between the FC fare and the fare you paid. However, the latter is still available by calling and a phone agent will be happy to price out that upgrade cost for you.
Enjoy your trip!
Jun 18, 2017, 5:49 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
I would still call and see the difference between the online FCM offer and the fare difference to upgrade, and then choose the better option.
Jun 18, 2017, 7:22 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
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Posts: 27,042
You can also select a seat in FC/C+ on seatmap and it'll give a price to upgrade that flight alone.
Jun 18, 2017, 9:47 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Yes but as a previous poster said, you should call in and ask for the price of buying up to F before doing this as there have been widespread reports of the online prices being higher.
Jun 18, 2017, 11:07 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: DL, Marriott & IHG Platty; HH Diamonte
Posts: 861
I concur - i was getting wild pricing for FC upgrade on a ticket and called and was offered a price that was half of what was online.
Oct 10, 2017, 2:33 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: DTW
Programs: SkyMiles
Posts: 12
No problem
Assuming that you're not flying imminently, I would keep your eyes on the FC upgrade price and see if it fluctuates.
I'm sure somebody will be along who can tell you what the mileage cost would be.
Finally, note that there has been extensive discussion on this board recently about the changes to FCM. You may be seeing a price online that is not the same as the difference between the FC fare and the fare you paid. However, the latter is still available by calling and a phone agent will be happy to price out that upgrade cost for you.
Enjoy your trip!
Assuming that you're not flying imminently, I would keep your eyes on the FC upgrade price and see if it fluctuates.
I'm sure somebody will be along who can tell you what the mileage cost would be.
Finally, note that there has been extensive discussion on this board recently about the changes to FCM. You may be seeing a price online that is not the same as the difference between the FC fare and the fare you paid. However, the latter is still available by calling and a phone agent will be happy to price out that upgrade cost for you.
Enjoy your trip!
Oct 10, 2017, 3:05 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
Oct 10, 2017, 8:19 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DFW or Somewhere Else
Programs: UA Plt /Delta DM/ Marriott Platinum Prem./Hilton Diamond / Hyatt Globalist /Hertz PS / National EE
Posts: 1,107
No matter what this is a rip off. You would pay $100 per hour to sit in domestic first on a crappy plane ? Or 30,000 miles. It will take $6000 in spend to get those miles back
Oct 11, 2017, 8:26 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
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you are of course entitled to make it known that you hold a dissenting opinion