3 days to take-off, GUC not cleared despite empty seats?
Mar 28, 2017, 10:43 pm
#1
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3 days to take-off, GUC not cleared despite empty seats?
Leave Saturday for SJC - SEA - ICN. I'm still waitlisted after two weeks for use of a GUC on the SEA - ICN leg. (F comp on SJC - SEA already)
It's DL 199 (Boeing 767), and I'm still showing 7 empty seats up front -- 5C, 7B, 7C, 8B, 8C, 9B, and 9C. The same 7 seats have been showing vacant for almost two weeks. I'm still waitlisted with a comp to C+ 19F (limited recline...gasp!)
I'm aware the GUCs can sometimes wait until the gate to be cleared. And I'll sit here patiently and cautiously optimistic. Just wondering... is it normal for Delta to wait THIS close to the flight to clear some of them? Are they really that likely to sell 7 last-minute F seats?
I'm DM / Delta Reserve / holding a Y ticket
It's DL 199 (Boeing 767), and I'm still showing 7 empty seats up front -- 5C, 7B, 7C, 8B, 8C, 9B, and 9C. The same 7 seats have been showing vacant for almost two weeks. I'm still waitlisted with a comp to C+ 19F (limited recline...gasp!)
I'm aware the GUCs can sometimes wait until the gate to be cleared. And I'll sit here patiently and cautiously optimistic. Just wondering... is it normal for Delta to wait THIS close to the flight to clear some of them? Are they really that likely to sell 7 last-minute F seats?
I'm DM / Delta Reserve / holding a Y ticket
Mar 28, 2017, 10:45 pm
#2
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You answered the question yourself. Plus that's not many seats especially for a long haul where people buy last minute and there's reroutes due to IRROPS.
Mar 28, 2017, 11:05 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2015
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I have flown this route several times and I've never had a GUC clear before the day of departure. Remember that just because it shows that 7 seats are available, there could be some people who have booked J class and haven't selected their seats yet, for whatever reason! With only 9 seats showing in both Economy classes, you could even score an Op-Up!
Last edited by audidudi; Mar 28, 2017 at 11:12 pm
Mar 29, 2017, 12:29 am
#5
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Mar 29, 2017, 5:43 am
#7
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The only way to make certain GUCs are used effectively is to book well in advance and be flexible in terms of dates and routes - which can be impacted by several factors - so that the upgrades clear at booking rather than being wait-listed.
Mar 29, 2017, 6:15 am
#8
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Otherwise for the most part you are watching the upgrade list for a gate clear.
Mar 29, 2017, 6:27 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2016
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This is my only legitimate gripe with Delta's FF program. If they can't improve/ease the use of these RUC and GUCs, then they should change the way they advertise PM and DM benefits. It's a real disappointment when you finally achieve PM/DM, and then realize how hard and/or stressful it is to use the advertised benefits.
Mar 29, 2017, 9:01 am
#13
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I'd rather have it clear in advance than risk not getting upgraded at the gate for the off chance rare occurrence that the cert doesn't get used/closed when the upgrade clears at boarding time.
Mar 29, 2017, 9:29 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2016
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I've never gone to gate but based on reports, it seems some gate cleared upgrades never close out the certificate, leaving it open for reuse.
How people think this is OK is beyond me. What if DL audits and found you used a certificate twice - would they take miles, threaten status, deduct a future certificate (like AA does)...
I don't actually believe its real or frequent and I wouldn't want to go to the gate for the opportunity to be called a thief by the airline months down the road (as I assume people referring to that "benefit" would have no issues applying the already used cert again)
How people think this is OK is beyond me. What if DL audits and found you used a certificate twice - would they take miles, threaten status, deduct a future certificate (like AA does)...
I don't actually believe its real or frequent and I wouldn't want to go to the gate for the opportunity to be called a thief by the airline months down the road (as I assume people referring to that "benefit" would have no issues applying the already used cert again)
Mar 29, 2017, 9:38 am
#15
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This is my only legitimate gripe with Delta's FF program. If they can't improve/ease the use of these RUC and GUCs, then they should change the way they advertise PM and DM benefits. It's a real disappointment when you finally achieve PM/DM, and then realize how hard and/or stressful it is to use the advertised benefits.
I have a handful of RUCs expiring in June that I have tried to use at least 5 times that recall. Shouldn't be that hard...every one of those flights had multiple seats open when I booked. I get that they sold enough tickets that I didn't make the UG, but it's called a regional upgrade certificate, not a regional "if we feel like it" certificate. Not to mention the hours of time lost because of the ridiculous 1980's method of applying those things (and the high failure/rework rate of getting them applied successfully).
I'd rather have fewer certs that were silver bullets rather than this hit or miss miss miss method.
Last edited by orca15; Mar 29, 2017 at 9:43 am