Greetings All:

Warning this is long!!!

As many of my DL-North brethren know, and as I hope many of my DL-South family members will come to know, I consider myself a real comparative analytics guy. I enjoy getting into the minutia of different programs to compare and to contrast them as so folks can make more informed choices. I hope to do a series of these types of posts comparing the new SM and/or DL to various other programs and/or airlines. If we want information exchange and good cheer to rule the day, each of us needs to do our part.

I will keep this objective and won’t offer my opinion on the points. I will allow the reader to draw its own conclusions. I hope our SM Forum Members will find it useful. Today’s topic is something near and dear to a good FTer’s heart: the mechanics of Elite Upgrades!

Please note that this is strictly the mechanics of Elite Upgrades and will not cover availability or lack of inventory (for whatever reason), what experience is “better” or the like or anything of a subjective analysis. That is beyond the scope of this analysis.

So without further adieu, let's take a look at American Airlines (“AA”) and Delta (“DL”) with respect to elite upgrades and put it all together (with some commentary if I think it warranted, but again I promise no “opinion”)!

Elites Eligible for Upgrade.

AA: All AAdvantage Elites (Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum) are eligible for the elite upgrade program that upgrades the related elite to the next class of service from coach (but never two classes (i.e. cannot go from coach to first on three class service or from business to first class on three class service).

DL: All SkyMiles (“SM”) Medallions (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond) are eligible for elite upgrade program that upgrades the related elite to the next class of service from coach. Note, all references to Diamond refer to the Diamond Tier that is set to come on line in Spring of 2010.

Request and Automation of Elite Upgrade.

AA: Elites of all tiers are required to request upgrades which may be done at booking or any time during the process prior to flight. Once a request is entered, the upgrade algorithm will run without further request by the related elite. There is no “default” request setting in place for the related elite.

DL: Elites of all tiers are required to request upgrades which may be done at booking or any time during the process prior to flight. Once a request is entered, the upgrade algorithm will run without further request by the related elite. Note, the related elite is set by default to "request an upgrade" request” for quite some time.

Routes Eligible for Elite Upgrades.

AA: The United States, Canada, Mexico the Caribbean and certain Central America (not deep S.A. i.e. EZE, GRU, etc) routes are subject to elite upgrades. Note, flights to the Hawaiian Islands are subject to elite upgrades (i.e. AAdvantage Elites can be upgraded simply by elite status and without the use of miles for trips to the Hawaiian Islands). Only flights on AA metal are subject to elite upgrade.

DL: The continental United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and certain Latin American Routes (not deep S.A. i.e. EZE, GRU, etc.) routes are subject to elite upgrades. Note, Hawaii is not eligible for complimentary elite upgrade. Flights on DL metal and NW metal are subject to elite upgrade (which in a few months will only be DL metal). Also note in 2010, certain elites will be permitted to upgrade Alaskan Airlines metal if current plans hold.

Comment: The only FFP featuring complimentary upgrades to the Hawaiian Islands is AA and then for its EP members only. All other US domestic legacy programs (“Legacy Programs”) either require elites to use some form of currency (i.e. US Chairman Preferred, AA below EP and/or all UA elites) or do not permit it (i.e. CO (with respect to IAH or EWR to HNL), DL and/or US below Chairman Preferred). Note, LAX-HNL on CO is now eligible for elite upgrade.

Elite Upgrade Windows.

AA: The elite windows (i.e. when one becomes eligible for upgrade (not when you will get upgraded( smile)) are as follows for discount coach: Gold T+24 hours, Platinum T+72 hours and Executive Platinum (“EPs”) T+100 hours.

DL: The elite windows are as follows for discount coach: Silver T+24 hours, Gold T+3 days, Platinum T+5 days and Diamond T+5 days.

Comment: The time frames for AA are pretty set as to the “window opening”. As an EP, I haven’t been upgraded outside of T+100. On DL, it is not too uncommon for members to be upgraded almost a full day before the window “officially opens” (i.e. Silvers at T+48 hours etc). As an SM PM, I receive upgrades quite frequently at T+6 days. Also note, each program features fares that are automatic upgrades for elites if “full fare”.

Fares Eligible for Elite Upgrades.

AA: All mileage earning non-opaque fares are eligible for upgrade if route eligible.

DL: All mileage earning non-opaque fares are eligible for upgrade if route eligible.

Comment: Folks will occasionally be subject to noise that certain AA fares (i.e. “O”) or DL fares (“LUT”) are ineligible. As of the time of this post, neither is true as each such fare is eligible for elite upgrade (assuming route eligible as noted).

Upgrade Award Fare Classes.

AA: Class X for upgrades that upgrade from coach to first class. Class R for upgrades that upgrade from coach to business class.

DL: Class V for upgrades from coach to first class. Class X for coach to business. Note, if NW’s upgrade buckets are still in place, all domestic upgrades come/came from Class R.

Monitoring Availability.

AA: Expert Flyer (“EF”) monitors Class X and Class R but only 24 hours prior to flight. Information is not otherwise available to the public

DL: EF monitors Class X and Class V availability. Information is not otherwise available to the public. EF also monitors NW’s Class R as well.

Comment: EF as an NW-DL and AA Flyer has been valuable to me. YMMV.

Priority of Elite Upgrades.

AA: As follows: EP-Platinum-Gold (assuming in each instance not a full fare “y-up”). Priority inside each tier is generally speaking based on time of request.

DL: As follows: Diamond-Platinum-Gold-Silver (assuming in each instance not a full fare “y-up”). Priority inside each tier is based on a number of items including fare class, having a DL reserve credit card, and the like).

Comment: It should be noted that, IMHO, accurately predicting priority inside the various tiers is circumspect at best and involves some speculation when not full fare. The foregoing is based on my understanding, and other FT’ers are encouraged to weigh in if they have more or differing information that might add to the body of knowledge.

Costs to Upgrade Individual Solo Elites.

AA: Gold and Platinum: The low and mid tiers, respectively, must use upgrade currency sometimes referred to as “stickers” (dating back to when these were not electronic) to upgrade 500 mile segments subject to a 50 mile overage (i.e. a flight that is 520 miles and eligible for upgrade requires only 1 sticker and not 2 while a flight of 551 miles requires two stickers). Stickers are accumulated in one of two ways generally. First, by purchasing them at approximately $30-35 per sticker (depending where purchased) or second, by flying 10,000 BIS miles and accumulating 4 of them for each such interval. The stickers are based on a “segment by segment basis” and not “point to point basis” For example, CLT-DFW-SFO is tested as CLT-DFW and DFW-SFO and not CLT-SFO). Note, on “full fare coach,” Gold and Platinum members receive “complimentary upgrades” (i.e. no stickers necessary). Under certain circumstances, “earned stickers” and not purchased stickers may be exchanged for 500 RDMs per such sticker unofficially.

EP: For EPs, upgrades are complimentary (no upgrade currency required). Note, EPs do not accumulate stickers during their time as EPs, but they keep all of stickers purchased or accumulated during their time as EP which are useable for companions (as discussed below) or by the EP at such point that such person does not re-qualify as an EP.

DL: The elite domestic upgrade program is “complimentary” for all elite levels on all eligible fares and routes as discussed below.

Companion Upgrades and Various Sub-Topics Thereof.

Elites Tiers Permitted to Upgrade Companion:

AA: All elite tiers may upgrade a companion (space and route eligible).

DL: All elite tiers may upgrade a companion (space, route and fare class eligible (as discussed)).

Number of Companions Eligible for Upgrade with Related Elite:

AA: 1 companion is permitted to upgrade with a related Elite.

DL: 1 companion is permitted to upgrade with a related Elite.

Windows for Elite Companion To Upgrade:

AA: Based on the window of the highest tier of the related Elite. For example, a EP’s companion will upgrade with the related EP at such EP’s upgrade (starting at T+100) (space available and route applicable). Note, if the companion is not in the reservation, then a reservation agent needs to link the reservations, and that may not be done on AA.com

DL: Elite Member with Non-Elite Companion Same Reservation: Both the elite and the related non-elite companion (who must be a SM member) will upgrade (space available fare eligible and route applicable) no earlier than twelve hours prior to flight if on the same reservation. This may be done on DL.COM.

DL: Elite Member with Non-Elite Companion Different Reservation: The elite will upgrade at its applicable window and the companion will upgrade no earlier than 12 hours prior to flight. One needs a phone agent to process or have it done at the airport.

DL: Elite Member with Elite Companion: Both elites will upgrade (space available and route dependant) based on the window for the Elite of the lower tier. For example, a Silver Medallion traveling with a Platinum Medallion will have their window open up based on the Silver’s window (T+24). Note, if split, then the related elite will upgrade at its own window.

Elite Companion Eligible Fares:

AA: All fares subject to elite upgrade.

DL: Non-Elite Companion: Must be higher than LUT.
DL: Elite Companion: All fares subject to elite upgrade.

Costs and or Upgrade Currency to Upgrade A Companion:

AA: For all elites (including without limitation, EPs) stickers must be used to upgrade related companions. See above for costs of purchase and accumulation thereof.

DL: Companion upgrades are “complimentary” (subject to non-elite companions required to be on fares higher than “LUT”).

Well, I hope this is informative and useful. It is my intent to do any number of these to compare and contrast aspects of the DL experience to other programs that the readership might be educated and/or entertained! I encourage others for feedback and if there are points that you disagree with and/or would like to see supplemented, please feel free to chime in, and I will so change. Only request is to keep it to “hard data” and not the subjective stuff, so the thread stays devoid of “flame wars.”(LOL)

Safe Travels!