Originally Posted by
paul21
No this is not the case at all. Delta can and does offer "First" as an upgrade over "Prestige" on these KE-operated flights.
Clicking that gives "Refundable First (F)" that books into FOWEB fare basis:
It books into true KE First, for the same price as KE First on KE's own website. The limitations I mentioned above are purely due to KE's stance on marketing carriers / codeshares. I'm of the opinion that Delta shouldn't offer FOWEB given those restrictions, or if they do offer it, it should have the same service level as the KE-booked FOW fare. Since Delta lacks a true First, their information is quite limited about the product, but it takes a real KE scholar to decipher the restrictions on ground services due to the codeshare.
Interesting. I did not know that you could purchase an upgrade into F on a KE operated flight via DL.com. I just assumed you were referring to Prestige as F since many don’t know the difference. My apologies.
And based off your experience, it’s literally just the seat. No other ground perks. This is a good datapoint for others to just book directly with KE then.
I remember years ago buying Y on KE operated / DL marketed flights and struggled to get advance seat assignments because whatever fare bucket the DL flight mapped into, KE advance selection wasn’t allowed. Seems like I usually got something in the last row to stick when getting the partners desk involved, but it was a pain.
I’ve got some upcoming KE operated / DL marketed segments, all in J (Prestige) but don’t see the F upgrade offer. Then again all are intra-Asia and I don’t think those routes always offer true F. Will keep an eye out and remember the restrictions above.
Another example of how Delta keeps declining and not providing a “premium and seamless” experience.