OP, did you really register so you could post this rant that had absolutely zero effect on your flight experience today?
How does this diminish DM benefits? You didn't pay $125 for your upgrade, did you?
This isn't news... K+ fares have been gate upgradeable once all Medallions have been upgraded via instruments or complimentary. You walk up to the gate, tell them you're interested, they swipe your card. When you board, if your upgrade clears, a new seat assignment and a receipt pops out.
If your upgrade doesn't clear, you didn't win, sorry play again next time.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...l-changes.html
Same-day Standby Upgrades
The same-day standby upgrade option allows you to upgrade your flight for a small fee, provided space is available and your ticket is eligible. Eligible tickets are those ticket booked in K-class (or higher). For travel to/from Hawaii only, eligible fares include those booked in L, U and T classes. This option applies to specific flights and routings:
• Within North America.
• To/from Aruba, Bermuda, Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands), Montego Bay (Jamaica), Nassau (Bahamas), Providenciales (Turks and Caicos), Los Cabos (Mexico), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands)
• Between Atlanta and Costa Rica, St. Maarten and St. Lucia
• Between Cancun (Mexico)and Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Memphis and Minneapolis
The following upgrade fees apply:
Fee
0 to 500 miles $50
501 to 1,000 miles $75
1,001 to 1,500 miles $100
1,501 to 2,000 miles $150
2,001 to 3,000 miles $225
3,001 miles and up $350
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/points...grade-at-gate/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...-purchase.html