9F Seats 1 Day out - DM doesn't clear upgrade
Jul 9, 2012, 9:42 am
#31
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SAV
Programs: Atlanta's hometown airline. A bunch of hotel programs. PetSmart PetPerks.
Posts: 2,531
Would my pre-window complaint be included in that?
I have the following itinerary in late July-early August. TLV-JFK-SEA-SLC-LAS-ATL-JFK-TLV.
Believe it or not, I have not (yet) been upgraded on the SLC-LAS segment!
That means for 1 hr and 25 minutes, I will have to sit with the peasants!
(Okay, I have been given an Economy Comfort seat for that segment, so they will probably be at least pleasant peasants, but that is little comfort. I am a high, might, exalted, Gold Medallion and I deserve better than this.)
I have the following itinerary in late July-early August. TLV-JFK-SEA-SLC-LAS-ATL-JFK-TLV.
Believe it or not, I have not (yet) been upgraded on the SLC-LAS segment!
That means for 1 hr and 25 minutes, I will have to sit with the peasants!
(Okay, I have been given an Economy Comfort seat for that segment, so they will probably be at least pleasant peasants, but that is little comfort. I am a high, might, exalted, Gold Medallion and I deserve better than this.)
Jul 9, 2012, 9:46 am
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,928
DMs are also untouchables. I know. There was a beautiful, blonde, DM sitting next to me on one of my recent flights and, as soon as she saw me, she said, "If you even think of touching me I am going to break both your arms, gouge out your eyes, and use my knee to make certain that you never procreate again!"
Jul 9, 2012, 9:59 am
#33
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Could the OP's flight be fully booked in coach? I know DL sometimes tries to force people to buy FC to get on the flight when coach is full, versus the NW strategy fo clearing out some coach seats via upgrades and aiming for the business travelers who can buy full Y but not FC. A DM agent told me a couple months ago that when coach is full (meaning that the number of tickets sold is at least as great as the number of coach seats), upgrades don't happen until the gate, but I'm not sure whether this is true.
Jul 9, 2012, 10:01 am
#34
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Jul 9, 2012, 10:08 am
#35
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,928
The big advantage of the M fare is that changes can be made in both the routing and the dates for free -- whereas on an I fare, that can prove prohibitively expensive.
Jul 9, 2012, 10:15 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SAV
Programs: Atlanta's hometown airline. A bunch of hotel programs. PetSmart PetPerks.
Posts: 2,531
just seemed too long of a thread title. 
Jul 9, 2012, 10:27 am
#37
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
As far as I can recall, I got my upgrade at the window ONCE this year (LGA-MSP flying the morning of July 4).
Jul 9, 2012, 10:34 am
#38
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: Non-Affiliated
Posts: 7,430
I can remember clearing DTW-LAS as a Silver with ease. A few weeks ago I was #3 as a Diamond on a K fare, with 4 seats available. (No big convention I was aware of either)
FCM seems to be working for Delta. I can't really begrudge them of that.
Jul 9, 2012, 11:26 am
#39
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wherever I happen to be....
Programs: DL EOS...
Posts: 1,111
Now, if I could afford to buy F I would but until then it's sLUT fares and a big happy grin while sitting up front on a much thicker wallet. And, if not - those bulkhead EC seats ain't bad. At least my feet sneak a ride up front and a HOOU or two 'get's the job done!
Jul 9, 2012, 11:30 am
#40
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: DL 0.22 MM, AA 0.34 MM, PC Plat Amb, Hertz #1 GC 5*
Posts: 7,511
Could the OP's flight be fully booked in coach? I know DL sometimes tries to force people to buy FC to get on the flight when coach is full, versus the NW strategy fo clearing out some coach seats via upgrades and aiming for the business travelers who can buy full Y but not FC. A DM agent told me a couple months ago that when coach is full (meaning that the number of tickets sold is at least as great as the number of coach seats), upgrades don't happen until the gate, but I'm not sure whether this is true.
I have not been upgraded at the window at all this year. They've all been BF as a Diamond. (All to/from DTW)
I can remember clearing DTW-LAS as a Silver with ease. A few weeks ago I was #3 as a Diamond on a K fare, with 4 seats available. (No big convention I was aware of either)
FCM seems to be working for Delta. I can't really begrudge them of that.
I can remember clearing DTW-LAS as a Silver with ease. A few weeks ago I was #3 as a Diamond on a K fare, with 4 seats available. (No big convention I was aware of either)
FCM seems to be working for Delta. I can't really begrudge them of that.
Jul 9, 2012, 12:07 pm
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BHM LEX NYC
Programs: 3MM DM, DL Reserve, HH Diamond, Nat Exec Elite, SPG, PC, etc...
Posts: 440
Well I am happy to report I just got an upgrade email exactly 1 minute prior to my "It's Time To Check In" email for this leg. This is certainly a first for me. I usually get the emails right around 5-6 EST.
Jul 9, 2012, 12:17 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MHT, CHS
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Dia, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 1,248
As a DM I have cleared 100% of my 62 legs thus far this year. Some not until the gate, many at about 24 hours. Most of the ones that I don't clear at the window are coded as Business rather than Domestic First. I prime example of that are 2 flights I frequently take out of DTW to BOS. The first is coded as Business and I have never cleared at the window, the other Domestic First about 2 hours later, I have always cleared at the window. So with those data points I am assuming the criteria of holding back the UG inventory for the Domestic Business Class is greater than holding back for Domestic First flights.
Jul 9, 2012, 12:44 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Treasure Coast of FL (MCO/MLB/PBI)
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 844
Glad to hear you aren't going to have to slum it in the back with the FO's and GM's...
Jul 9, 2012, 12:47 pm
#44
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Treasure Coast of FL (MCO/MLB/PBI)
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 844
As a DM I have cleared 100% of my 62 legs thus far this year. Some not until the gate, many at about 24 hours. Most of the ones that I don't clear at the window are coded as Business rather than Domestic First. I prime example of that are 2 flights I frequently take out of DTW to BOS. The first is coded as Business and I have never cleared at the window, the other Domestic First about 2 hours later, I have always cleared at the window. So with those data points I am assuming the criteria of holding back the UG inventory for the Domestic Business Class is greater than holding back for Domestic First flights.
Jul 9, 2012, 12:47 pm
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BHM LEX NYC
Programs: 3MM DM, DL Reserve, HH Diamond, Nat Exec Elite, SPG, PC, etc...
Posts: 440
As a DM I have cleared 100% of my 62 legs thus far this year. Some not until the gate, many at about 24 hours. Most of the ones that I don't clear at the window are coded as Business rather than Domestic First. I prime example of that are 2 flights I frequently take out of DTW to BOS. The first is coded as Business and I have never cleared at the window, the other Domestic First about 2 hours later, I have always cleared at the window. So with those data points I am assuming the criteria of holding back the UG inventory for the Domestic Business Class is greater than holding back for Domestic First flights.
