The fine print LBJ alludes to should appear on the checkout screen when you click to accept the offer, before the final payment.

$799 upgrade from Moscow to JFK one week out - i pulled the trigger; but then the lady claimed it would not give me 1.5 MQM (which I think is wrong) - so they refunded. The email receipt showed U class; but Delta website app showed Z class. I would have done for 1.5 MQM, but not without - not on a half empty flight with bulkhead.

Was U your original fare class? U could not have been the reticketed class after the upgrade processed. Z makes sense as the reticketed class, and this would have earned the 1.5 MQM.

Almost any "upgrade offer" purchased before check in is the fare difference/special offer, and retickets in a F/J fare class and earns the extra MQMs. Anything offered within the checkin window usually retickets into RU (complimentary upgrade) and does not earn the added MQMs. If I were you, I would call back for that upgrade as that is a decent price and that is a decently long flight (and you should earn the added MQMs - I am surprised the DM Desk couldn't tell you this clearly, given it seems you were being reticketed in Z).

Ok I took your advice and spend the $799 for an upgrade - should I have used a global upgrade instead? I figured 799 seemed to good to pass but now am wondering. :eek:

Depends on if you are going to take any more international trips this year. If you aren't, I would have probably used a GU (assuming there was inventory for it to clear) as opposed to using it on a domestic trip. If you are going to be able to use it on an international trip I would have probably paid the $799 seeing most international trips cost a lot more than $799 to upgrade to J into and you get the MQM's as well.

When I flew to LIM in December I paid for J instead of using GU's. It wasn't even $1K TOTAL RT to fly in F/J and the bonus MQM's were great

Regardless though you got a great deal for that long of a flight

PBI-LGA and back next week offering $202 upgrade to F each way. I am on a pretty cheap T fare ($220 R/T).

I'll pass.

Might as well since it is off-season and at that time even the PBI-LGA flights have some comp upgrades available. I don't know exactly where a PM on a T will be on the pecking list but it should be high enough much of the time.

Don't second guess this one. That's a great price for route and I've always gotten 1.5 MQM on my FCM purchases.

Can you upgrade an award ticket to F or C+? I thought you could but I don't see the offer anywhere on my trip summary. Or does it appear later and/or at random? (Trip is for Thanksgiving, 11/23 - 11/28.)

No you cannot. Only way is to cancel, redeposit, and rebook as a C+ or F award. There would be an exception for TATL awards where C+ can purchased (or selected within your window if Medallion) as C+ is not a separate fare class on TATL routes.

Drat... can't cancel and rebook since the tickets were a gift (my dad paid with his miles). I've upgraded to EC/C+ on award tickets before, but I take it that's changed since C+ is its own class now?

The wife won't be pleased with this development... ;)

Do you have status with Delta? Award tickets are still upgrade eligible you are just at the bottom of your level on the upgrade list. Most of my award tickets clear into first

Nope, just a kettle. All my upgrades have been paid. :(

U was the original fare class; and the rebooked fare class (???) - and I only got 1 times MQM.

I called in just now, and they told me it was a mistake and that I should have gotten 1.5 and they will do that now. I think what happened was that I purchased the upgrade at Check-in - but that was check-in on the outbound - even though the upgrade was for my return flight which may be why it did not switch me from U?

I have done many Last minute upgrades and on domestic it always changes fare class; this is the first time this has happened. But at least it ended well.

I was upgraded at the 5 day window for both segments as an FYI.
main cabin was sparse compared to most flights I take.