Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Was the $65 "upgrade" to main cabin the fare difference or was it a cheap MCM (Main Cabin Monetization) offer? Did your receipt (after calling within 24 hours, etc.) reflect a true X fare without designators?
If DL is adamant about no upgrades in such situations, they need to train redcoats and GAs to always look at the underlying fares before making any VDB offers that could possibly contradict the policy. OTOH, the person handling the VDBs probably saw the OP's C+ boarding pass and elite status, so that they would have assumed that it was an ordinary coach (main cabin) fare with a C+ "upgrade."
I'm pretty sure fare basis (e.g. E) no longer matter in terms if IRROPS, and VDB. This is not a true "upgrade"; this is mutually agreed compensation to avoid Delta having to IDB other passengers. Delta, at the end of the day, can put any passenger in any Delta One seat, as they choose. Of course they'd prefer not to, but they also would rather do that then IDB. Regardless, they can't change an agreement unilaterally after the fact.
Does anyone have specific knowledge or experience indicating otherwise?