Originally Posted by
cfield
That's helpful, thank you. So I can pretty much expect not to get upgrades on my flights to Africa. Even if there are empty seats in the better classes.
That is pretty much the case with any airline, free unlimited upgrades are limited to mostly domestic flights, and in some cases, North America and the Caribbean.
Both airlines provide some number of certificates good for international upgrades to their higher level elites.
The other exception is "operational upgrades". For example, if the flight is overbooked in coach, and has room in higher classes. In this case they typically upgrade elites first.
Originally Posted by
cfield
Finally, how long do the perks last once reached? End of that calendar year or full year from that date? And once you reach the next level does it start over again?
My recollection with DL is that status is good for the remainder of the year earned, and one entire calendar year after that. I think the calendar year is Mar 1 - Feb 28/29.