Same day international changes without a fee?
 

I am flying AMS-MSP-SEA on 2-Sept. I took this routing because I was able to get a confirmed SWU upgrade on my m-class ticket. When I was booking, the non-stop on the return did not have any confirmed upgrades and I did not want to take a chance and not get it when I could if I took the connecting flight.

Looking today, I can see that the earlier non-stop to Seattle, flight 233, looks to have a lot of availability according to the seat map.

Apparently, there is a $150 charge for changing tickets with international legs.

Anyone have suggestions on ways to avoid the fee? I don't mind getting to the airport early and staying in the lounge if I cannot change flights and get a confirmed upgrade.

Thanks all!

Delta does not allow for SDC on international travel. You would have to pay the change fee plus the fare difference.

They may not have any upgrade space available on the flight. If you re-book it would most likely be into Y. Some GAs will keep you in J but technically your reservation is in Y so that is all they have to re-book you.

If there is a IRROP then you can change for no charge. Otherwise it is not allowed without the fee and fare difference.

Unfortunately, the seat map is NOT a reliable way to verify upgrade availability.

2 things are working against you:
1. The flight is from AMS, which means that the AMS ground staff is in charge. They are less flexible than their US counterparts.
2. Even so, assuming you try to make this change by phone instead, I don't think they'll waive this fee. There is no SDC on int'l flights.

Still, I suppose you could try to call. If you're really lucky and your AMS-MSP flight is overbooked, they may be happy to bump you to the SEA flight. The SWU UG definitely complicates things tho. Good luck!

Checking the (unreliable) seat map doesn't show the flight even close to being overbooked.
Keeping what I have isn't the worst thing...and I will get some extra MQM with the connecting flight.