Delta is too generous with upgrades!
Dec 12, 2009, 9:52 pm
#61
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Northeast US
Programs: DL-PM, 1MM; HH-Gold; Avis First
Posts: 379
Personally, I am happy if/when I get an UG, but understand it's not a guaranty. I even understand it's human nature to think the policy is great when I get an UG and it's wrong when I don't get an UG. Whatever the policy, I'll live with it.
The only thing I ask is that the policy be very clear and consistently used. If I don't get an upgrade because I didn't qualify per the published procedure, it's understandable. If I don't get an upgrade because the procedure what not followed so that a non-rev or other uneligible pax gets ahead of me, then I'm irked.
Nothing's more frustrating than waiting until the end of boarding, not being cleared, told you have to get on the plane, seeing the empty seat and watching a DL employee with badge on neck who was in the gate area when you boarded ultimately take the seat on a cross-country flight. (It wasn't me, as I wasn't first on the list, but the guy who waited wound up sitting across the aisle from me and was, rightfully, very agitated.)
The only thing I ask is that the policy be very clear and consistently used. If I don't get an upgrade because I didn't qualify per the published procedure, it's understandable. If I don't get an upgrade because the procedure what not followed so that a non-rev or other uneligible pax gets ahead of me, then I'm irked.
Nothing's more frustrating than waiting until the end of boarding, not being cleared, told you have to get on the plane, seeing the empty seat and watching a DL employee with badge on neck who was in the gate area when you boarded ultimately take the seat on a cross-country flight. (It wasn't me, as I wasn't first on the list, but the guy who waited wound up sitting across the aisle from me and was, rightfully, very agitated.)
Dec 12, 2009, 9:58 pm
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 15,354
So as a PM I was hoping to SDC to an earlier flight this Sunday SEA-JFK. I was hoping DL would save some of those F seats for battlefield upgrades. Unfortunately, Delta has already given every single seat away in F as of the 3-day GM upgrade window!
I do think DL should save one or two seats (just one really is enough) for day-of-departure upgrades, even if the computer thinks they won't be sold. This will enable high-level elites to SDC to those flights and still be upgraded.
OK, I'm sure someone will flame me for moaning and complaining about Delta. But I think this is a reasonable request that will enhance service for DL's best customers. Personally, I am not really bothered by it, and hey, life goes on!
I do think DL should save one or two seats (just one really is enough) for day-of-departure upgrades, even if the computer thinks they won't be sold. This will enable high-level elites to SDC to those flights and still be upgraded.
OK, I'm sure someone will flame me for moaning and complaining about Delta. But I think this is a reasonable request that will enhance service for DL's best customers. Personally, I am not really bothered by it, and hey, life goes on!
The ability to do a SDC is a perk in itself -- if I'm catching an earlier flight I'm thrilled to get on. I don't expect to be able to switch straight into F. I mean, it's happened, but those GM and FO flyers deserve their shot at those EUAs.
Jan 5, 2010, 12:50 pm
#63
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
I SDC a lot. Pay for my own tickets, so unless I see a big oversold threat, I'll take the cheapest routing for my day of travel, and SDC as need be. Sometimes the UG happens on my SDC flights, sometimes not. Whatever way it works out, it was a consequence of my decisions and strategy, so I can only whine at myself about the outcome.
The UA system does not work as well. As a 1K, I'll invariably clear the standby list, but U/G priority goes behind everyone else currently on the U/G list for that flight, regardless of status. Still, if I chose to go earlier standby (later is problematic on UA unlike the max same day flexibility given by DL SDC) it was also my decision, my consequences.
The UA system does not work as well. As a 1K, I'll invariably clear the standby list, but U/G priority goes behind everyone else currently on the U/G list for that flight, regardless of status. Still, if I chose to go earlier standby (later is problematic on UA unlike the max same day flexibility given by DL SDC) it was also my decision, my consequences.
If seats are not available, you go on standby, and it's exactly that: by the book, you'll have to clear standby first before you can get on the upgrade list, and the gate agent usually clears upgrade list to create space for standby passengers.
Jan 5, 2010, 1:09 pm
#64
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: TN
Programs: DL 2MM, AA ExPlat, UA S, HH S, MR LT Titanium, National Exec
Posts: 317
So you think that PM who change to a different flight on a whim should trump GM and FO flyers on their original flights? This is one PM that disagrees.
The ability to do a SDC is a perk in itself -- if I'm catching an earlier flight I'm thrilled to get on. I don't expect to be able to switch straight into F. I mean, it's happened, but those GM and FO flyers deserve their shot at those EUAs.
The ability to do a SDC is a perk in itself -- if I'm catching an earlier flight I'm thrilled to get on. I don't expect to be able to switch straight into F. I mean, it's happened, but those GM and FO flyers deserve their shot at those EUAs.
I find it amazing as some FT's have posted in the past that they will actually go standby on a different flight to clear upgrade because they didn't on their original. If coach is so unbearable for you then maybe you should just buy F tickets.
Jan 5, 2010, 1:11 pm
#65
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
So you think that PM who change to a different flight on a whim should trump GM and FO flyers on their original flights? This is one PM that disagrees.
The ability to do a SDC is a perk in itself -- if I'm catching an earlier flight I'm thrilled to get on. I don't expect to be able to switch straight into F. I mean, it's happened, but those GM and FO flyers deserve their shot at those EUAs.
The ability to do a SDC is a perk in itself -- if I'm catching an earlier flight I'm thrilled to get on. I don't expect to be able to switch straight into F. I mean, it's happened, but those GM and FO flyers deserve their shot at those EUAs.
But I agree with RichMSM -- if you SDC you take your chances on the battlefield.
Jan 5, 2010, 3:18 pm
#66
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,234
Did you get the early upgrade on the ticket you originally bought? Yes... so stop complaining because Delta didn't hold upgrades for you on EVERY FLIGHT THAT DAY just in case you want to SDC.
Man, you guys have no idea how ungrateful you sound...
Jan 5, 2010, 6:17 pm
#68
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DM
Posts: 233
So as a PM I was hoping to SDC to an earlier flight this Sunday SEA-JFK. I was hoping DL would save some of those F seats for battlefield upgrades. Unfortunately, Delta has already given every single seat away in F as of the 3-day GM upgrade window!
I do think DL should save one or two seats (just one really is enough) for day-of-departure upgrades, even if the computer thinks they won't be sold. This will enable high-level elites to SDC to those flights and still be upgraded.
OK, I'm sure someone will flame me for moaning and complaining about Delta. But I think this is a reasonable request that will enhance service for DL's best customers. Personally, I am not really bothered by it, and hey, life goes on!
I do think DL should save one or two seats (just one really is enough) for day-of-departure upgrades, even if the computer thinks they won't be sold. This will enable high-level elites to SDC to those flights and still be upgraded.
OK, I'm sure someone will flame me for moaning and complaining about Delta. But I think this is a reasonable request that will enhance service for DL's best customers. Personally, I am not really bothered by it, and hey, life goes on!
Jan 5, 2010, 8:33 pm
#72
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
I read the original post much differently, as I originally thought it concerned a paid F customer. I have experienced this frustration before, where I am flying on a paid F ticket, and I would like to SDC, but there are no F seats. In such an instance, I do agree that it is frustrating that there are (we assume) upgraders who've been confirmed, and so you can't change flights and still sit in the premium cabin you've paid for. For this reason, I do agree that it makes sense to hold some inventory for gate lottery - to better match supply with the most "worthy" (paying pax) among those who desire it.
As an aside, this was long a frustration for me with CO. I often found that I couldn't buy F seats to IAH a few days in advance (or day of). I always assumed a few upgrades had been issued, and this seemed like bad business to me.
Nov 28, 2011, 8:03 pm
#73
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 273
Agreed.
I read the original post much differently, as I originally thought it concerned a paid F customer. I have experienced this frustration before, where I am flying on a paid F ticket, and I would like to SDC, but there are no F seats. In such an instance, I do agree that it is frustrating that there are (we assume) upgraders who've been confirmed, and so you can't change flights and still sit in the premium cabin you've paid for. For this reason, I do agree that it makes sense to hold some inventory for gate lottery - to better match supply with the most "worthy" (paying pax) among those who desire it.
As an aside, this was long a frustration for me with CO. I often found that I couldn't buy F seats to IAH a few days in advance (or day of). I always assumed a few upgrades had been issued, and this seemed like bad business to me.
As an aside, this was long a frustration for me with CO. I often found that I couldn't buy F seats to IAH a few days in advance (or day of). I always assumed a few upgrades had been issued, and this seemed like bad business to me.
Nov 28, 2011, 10:46 pm
#74
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: JFK, LGA, EWR
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 257
While I agree that we should not be complaining about being too generous with upgrades, I do have to say that this week was a rare ocasion where I was buying my mother a last minute first class ticket (3 days out) and guess what - no seats available ... I don't understand from a profit standpoint why DL does this. This was flying out of SNA where I'm sure there are many last minute ticket buyers who would be willing to shell out for first.