Is it Possible to Get Intel on the Upgrade Situation before SDCing?
 

What are the techniques to figure out the possibility of an upgrade before SDCing? Obviously once you do the SDC you can see where you are on the list, but I'm talking about figuring out whether it pays to make the change.

One can look at the seating chart on delta.com, which I have found to be a reasonable indicator of seats available, but that doesn't tell you how many others want an upgrade for those seats and their status.

Will the Medallion line reps give out any information? Any other techniques?

I signed up for ExpertFlyer.com. Money well spent.

I have Expert Flyer as well. I find that to correspond fairly well (so to speak) with the Delta reservation system seat maps as far as available seats.

However, Expert Flyer and the seat maps both deal with the supply side (i.e., number of seats), I'm trying to figure how to get a handle on the demand side (how many people are in line to get those seats through an upgrade.)

Unless you or a friend work for DL and have access to that info, there is no way.

Only way is to ask an agent. V inventory almost never exists at T-3 (I don't remember if they zero it out at T-3, but I think there have been reports here that they do), so ExpertFlyer is not too helpful as what you really need to know is where you'll fall on the upgrade list.

Yeah it gets zeroed out at T-3. It all goes to the gate. But if you see inventory on Day of Departure, it is a good sign as upgrades for all Medallions should have already cleared. Granted, anything can happen in that time.

You could still look at available seats for purchase in F on ExpertFlyer to get an idea.

And if you don't want to invest in expertflyer - you can just stalk the flight(s) that you are considering. Obviously if upgrade "available" shows on delta.com up to 3:01hrs before the flight your chances are high. I also look around the window for FOs clear as an indicator of how many higher level medallions I might be competing with should I SDC...

The SMS or Skyclub agents will usually give me an indication (excellent, good, etc.) of what my upgrade chances would be if I ask, but they don't say specifically that I'd be #X of Y on the list.

I've had SC agents tell me my specific # before (obviously with the caveat that it is always subject to change before departure).

Is that before or after you SDC? I've had them tell me afterwards, but not before.

Once you SDC and check in it's not a mystery - delta.com will tell you where you are on the list, and how many seats are available.

To clarify, that is after.

Not exactly answering the question, but it seems that during IRROPS, you can check the upgrade list out from the iPhone app when it presents you options.

+1 more for expertflyer, check the seat status before picking what flight to grab

EF helps and keeping an eye on the seat mapper gives you an idea, maybe not 100% accurate but..

EF costs $5 a month but well worth it.

For those not doing EF, you can still use flightstats for free.