Newbie - Europe coach assistance - DM
Oct 29, 2012, 9:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 71
Newbie - Europe coach assistance - DM
I have been DM as of a few months ago.
I had to book some urgent flights from ATL->AMS for next week. Unfortunately there are no economy comfort seats available. (I will keep checking...)
These are very expensive seats...$4500 round trip. class Y and B
I have not used or selected any PM or DM choice perks. But do those perks only apply to 2013 anyway?
I am trying to determine how I can use my DM to get upgraded on these flights. Systemwide upgrade certificates?
If it matters, the flights are DL604 on Nov 4 and DL33 on Nov 10
Help me out here...
thx
I had to book some urgent flights from ATL->AMS for next week. Unfortunately there are no economy comfort seats available. (I will keep checking...)
These are very expensive seats...$4500 round trip. class Y and B
I have not used or selected any PM or DM choice perks. But do those perks only apply to 2013 anyway?
I am trying to determine how I can use my DM to get upgraded on these flights. Systemwide upgrade certificates?
If it matters, the flights are DL604 on Nov 4 and DL33 on Nov 10
Help me out here...
thx
Oct 29, 2012, 9:14 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,352
Only way is miles or SWU's. If you haven't taken your Choice Benefits yet then go ahead and pick SWU if you want to. They will deposit in your account immediately and you can use them on your flights. They are valid for any flight as of the time they are deposited in your account.
You should call DL first and ask about the upgrade possibilities on your flight. There's a decent to excellent chance that upgrade seats do not exist this close to your flight. They can tell you how the loads look and whether you stand a decent chance or not.
-RM
You should call DL first and ask about the upgrade possibilities on your flight. There's a decent to excellent chance that upgrade seats do not exist this close to your flight. They can tell you how the loads look and whether you stand a decent chance or not.
-RM
Oct 29, 2012, 9:20 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 71
Only way is miles or SWU's. If you haven't taken your Choice Benefits yet then go ahead and pick SWU if you want to. They will deposit in your account immediately and you can use them on your flights. They are valid for any flight as of the time they are deposited in your account.
You should call DL first and ask about the upgrade possibilities on your flight. There's a decent to excellent chance that upgrade seats do not exist this close to your flight. They can tell you how the loads look and whether you stand a decent chance or not.
-RM
You should call DL first and ask about the upgrade possibilities on your flight. There's a decent to excellent chance that upgrade seats do not exist this close to your flight. They can tell you how the loads look and whether you stand a decent chance or not.
-RM
Oct 29, 2012, 9:22 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
Neither of those flights have space in the upgrade class so you would not be able to confirm anything at this point. I would suggest subscribing to ExpertFlyer and setting up an upgrade alert. It would be well worth the $9.00 for this month if you choose not to renew.
Oct 29, 2012, 9:26 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
It's not a free upgrade. You can use a System Wide Upgrade (SWU) cert to upgrade one way. Or you can use miles. Both require that space be available in a specific upgrade bucket. If space does not exist you can wait list and they will clear if seats become available between now and the flight. NB: IIRC, miles cannot be upgraded on the day of flight so you may want to look into using a SWU as that can cear up to flight departure time.
Oct 29, 2012, 9:28 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 71
To be clear, they notify me so that I can call immediately and claim the upgrade?
Oct 29, 2012, 9:32 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Yes.
Speaking of intercontinental upgrades to Business Elite, one can (typically) get on a wait list for upgrades with SWUs. That's not true for upgrades with miles.
Speaking of intercontinental upgrades to Business Elite, one can (typically) get on a wait list for upgrades with SWUs. That's not true for upgrades with miles.
Oct 29, 2012, 9:32 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL GM, AMEX Business Platinum, AMEX Delta Reserve, DL SkyClub Member, Choice PM
Posts: 2,218
1. I would not book expensive seats especially if I am paying $4500 ..if upgrade seats using SWU's are not available .. to sit in coach. Calling Delta would have been my first step.
2. Secondly using www.matrix.itasoftware.com I would check on round trip coach pricing. Because as a DM ... getting an Economy Comfort is free, if available.
Round trip fares are approx $1100-1200 ai from ATL-AMS-ATL
2. Secondly using www.matrix.itasoftware.com I would check on round trip coach pricing. Because as a DM ... getting an Economy Comfort is free, if available.
Round trip fares are approx $1100-1200 ai from ATL-AMS-ATL
Oct 29, 2012, 9:40 am
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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: 100,421
If OP purchased tickets yesterday, they can still be cancelled for free. So call DL and ask about other flights with various connections where upgrade space can be confirmed and then change--technically cancel and purchase--the ticket to one where the SWU can be used now.
Note that SWUs expire one year after they are selected, meaning that they should be applied to a flight with confirmed upgrade space and the ticket reissued by then; travel can be latere.
Note that SWUs expire one year after they are selected, meaning that they should be applied to a flight with confirmed upgrade space and the ticket reissued by then; travel can be latere.
Oct 29, 2012, 9:47 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Oct 29, 2012, 10:08 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
1. I would not book expensive seats especially if I am paying $4500 ..if upgrade seats using SWU's are not available .. to sit in coach. Calling Delta would have been my first step.
2. Secondly using www.matrix.itasoftware.com I would check on round trip coach pricing. Because as a DM ... getting an Economy Comfort is free, if available.
Round trip fares are approx $1100-1200 ai from ATL-AMS-ATL
2. Secondly using www.matrix.itasoftware.com I would check on round trip coach pricing. Because as a DM ... getting an Economy Comfort is free, if available.
Round trip fares are approx $1100-1200 ai from ATL-AMS-ATL
Certainly, willingness to put up with connections can decrease fares and increase possibilities for finding confirmable upgrade inventory.
Oct 29, 2012, 10:11 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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: 100,421
I hope the OP also checks for discounted BE fares. If available, they would cost less than the coach fare that's been purchased. Also, there should be no fee to up fare to BE.
Oct 29, 2012, 10:20 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: PVD
Programs: Delta PM, HHonors Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 294
The only difference is that you cannot claim an upgrade using miles at the gate, but you can using SWUs.
Also, rumor is that if your upgrade with miles doesn't clear 24hrs prior to your flight, you are screwed. Again, not true. I've had an upgrade clear once 15 hours in advance. (and even at the gate, but for this one it was a KL coded flight and I understand they do things a little differently...)