Originally Posted by
troyb
In addition, as I'm new to Delta, will the fare class affect my upgrade chances very much?
Upgrades at the window (3 day for GM) clear first based on status (PM at 5 day, GM at 3 day, FO at 1 day), then by fare within the window. At 3 days out, a GM on a H fare beats a GM on a T fare.
However, if the upgrade doesn't clear at the window (and thus becomes battlefield), it becomes when the upgrade request at the airport is done (normally, this is at check-in at the airport of your first flight, or at the gate). A GM on a T fare that requests to be on the upgrade standby list will beat any other GM, unless the GM is on a full-fare ticket (not sure if it's just Y, or Y/B/M; either case, any full-fare Medallion jumps to the front of the queue).