Originally Posted by
lsquare
I'm trying to better understand DL's elite program especially PM and DM status. I know that DM gives both GUCs and RUCs, but what are the differences? I'm assuming RUCs are for domestic flights but GUCs are for international flights? How do these certificates work? Like I can buy the cheapest qualifying main cabin fare especially flying DL metal to PVG and then get upgraded to J if it's available? Is that how it works?
I know that I'll have to call to apply a GUC and obviously I wouldn't want a GUC to be applied for a 1 hour flight segment instead of the 12 hour flight. My question is if availability isn't available on the long haul, but only available for the short haul, can I instruct DL not to apply the GUC altogether because it does seem like a waste and won't extract much value for me.
I know with some of DL's other partners, it requires an expensive fare before a GUC can be used. What about a carrier like MU or KE? Decent chances of getting upgraded with the cheapest main cabin fare?
If it helps, I do have a Delta Reserve card.
Thx!
Regionals can be used on US Domestic and a few other routes between the US and Central America (it's in the link above).
Globals can be used on basically any Delta ticket (including domestically... but that's a huge waste of a Global cert... but if that cert is about to expire, then why not).
When using certs it matters if there is inventory available. If yes, then you can confirm the upgrade right away. If not, you have to be waitlisted. If you're waitlisted, then your upgrade will clear automatically if inventory becomes available. You can ask to be waitlisted for only a specific segment (as in your example, you'd ask to be waitlisted specifically for the 12 hour flight). If your upgrade clears for the long flight, then you call back in and get added to the waitlist for all the other flights (just to better your odds for a gate upgrade).
Things get complicated when you're trying to get the global upgrades to apply on codeshare flights for partner airlines (KLM, Air France, etc.). Then you need to be in specific fare buckets (although even the cheaper buckets are eligible now). But, you can't "waitlist" per se. If inventory isn't available you have to keep calling back to check for upgrade inventory. I'm not sure how globals work on partner airlines for gate clearing.
I probably didn't get all you questions here... but hopefully is helpful.