A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
This seems strange for a free elite upgrade (presumably to FC?) on a normal domestic flight. Can we assume that you're confirmed and ticketed correctly on the flight? Also, have you checked in?
The "activated by DL agent at the airport" is normally the GUC procedure. IIRC there have been reports (preCOVID-19) here of people missing upgrades because they weren't activated on time.