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Using Regional Upgrades on Delta (pre 2/1/2022)

Old Oct 15, 2016, 9:00 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Utskicat
FEB 1, 2022 New GUC/RUC Inventory Rules

*****GUC*****

Flight has First Class
MC/C+ = Purchased
First = Last Seat J (Old Policy = OY)

Flight has DPS only
MC/C+ = Purchased
DPS = Last Seat (GUC=P / RUC=G) (Old Policy = RY)

Flight has D1 with no DPS
MC/C+ = Purchased
D1 = Z (Old Policy = OY)

Flight has D1 with DPS
MC/C+ = Purchased
DPS = Last Seat (GUC=P / RUC=G) (Old Policy = RY)
D1 = OY @ T-24h15m

Flight has D1 with DPS
DPS = Purchased
D1 = Z (Old Policy = OY)

Note: If GUC applied to domestic flight, it has better inventory than RUC (better chance for D1 transcon or to Hawaii)

*****RUC*****

Flight has First Class
MC/C+ = Purchased
First = Z (Old Policy = OY)

Flight has D1 with no DPS
MC/C+ = Purchased
D1 = OY (no change in old policy = OY)

New Delta.com Upgrade Availability Indicators that appeared 2/1/22 and what they mean

Dom D1 Tag meaning:
Global Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in Z (OY = 0 for RUC)
Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in Z /or/ RUC in OY both available

Dom F Tag meaning:
Global Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in Last Seat J (Z = 0 for RUC)
Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in last seat J /or/ RUC in Z both available

Example D1 Flights from JFK - LAX (flight numbers are fictitious)

DL 01
Dom D1 flight
Actual Availability: J5 C4 D4 Z3
Hidden Availability: OY2
Website indicator: Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (2 RUC (OY) open, 3 GUC (Z) open)

DL 02
Dom D1 flight
Actual Availability: J5 C4 D4 Z3
Hidden Availability: OY0
Website indicator: Global Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (0 RUC (OY) open, 3 GUC (Z) open)

DL 03
Dom D1 flight
Actual Availability: J3 C2 D2 Z0
Hidden Availability: OY0
Website indicator: No flag - neither is available GUC (Z0) and RUC (OY0)

DL 04
Dom First flight
Actual Availability: J3 C2 D2 Z1
Hidden Availability: n/a
Website indicator: Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (1 RUC (Z) open, 3 GUC (J) open)

DL 05
Dom First flight
Actual Availability: J3 C2 D2 Z0
Hidden Availability: n/a
Website indicator: Global Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (0 RUC (Z) open, 3 GUC (J) open)

DL 06
Dom First flight
Actual Availability: J0 C0 D0 Z0
Hidden Availability: n/a
Website indicator: No flag - neither is available
Actual decode: (0 RUC (Z) open, 0 GUC (J) open)

Apparently Delta is using public inventory buckets J Z P G (and non-public bucket OY in some cases) to determine GUC/RUC availability. However once they have confirmed you the system converts the segment in your reservation to a different bucket. Here is the class mapping:


GUC Usage
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to DPS / P class needed / Books into RV (Clears at T-24.15 into D1 as OX if OY available)
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to D1 (no DPS) / Z class needed / Books into OK
DPS purchased / Upgrade to D1 / Z class needed / Books into OK
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to FC (no D1/DPS) / J class needed / Books into OV

RUC Usage
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to DPS / G class needed / Books into RX (Clears at T-24.15 into D1 as OX if OY available)
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to D1 (no DPS) / OY class needed / Books into OX
DPS purchased / Upgrade to D1 / OY class needed / Books into OX
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to FC (no D1/DPS) / Z class needed / Books into OL

PRE FEB 1, 2022 WIKI
More information and discussion about using same-day change after applying regional upgrades can be found in this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-air-lines-skymiles/1709826-sdc-while-using-regional-upgrade-certificates-ruc-definitive-thread.html
  • The clock begins ticking on RUC expiration when you make your choice benefit selection, so it's possible to time your selection when there is a specific need to use them.
  • You can select your 2017 choice benefit as soon as DL recognizes your Plat status. Certificates expire 12 months from date of issue. 2019 choice benefits (earned based on how much one flew in 2018) must be selected by Jan 31, 2020.
  • If you select certificates as your choice benefit late in your Medallion tenure, it will still be valid after your status expires -- so for example if you earn Platinum Medallion in 2018, which is valid through Jan 31, 2020, but then only earn Silver Medallion in 2019, which becomes effective Feb 1, 2020 when your Platinum Medallion status expires, RUCs selected in January 2020 would be valid through January 2021 and could be used once you were only a Silver Medallion member, giving you a much higher upgrade list position on those flights where you attempt to use them.
  • If you request to use a RUC on a flight and do not receive the upgrade, it is returned to your account for future use, but check your account to make sure.
  • RUC may be redeemed for the named Medallion member and up to one travel companion traveling on the same flight (the companion officially no longer needs to be in the same reservation, though that rule was not actually enforced even when it was the official rule). The named member and the companion will each require a separate certificate.

While the RUC process is almost entirely opaque, there are a couple of "hints" of a correctly applied waitlist.

1a) When viewing a waitlisted segment on the DL.com web site (not the app), there may be two seat maps for the same flight. The first seat map shows the coach seat you are currently in, and the second seat map for the same flight says "you may not select seats for this flight" or something like that. This second seat map corresponds to a part of the waitlist process, and indicates that at least one step of the multi-step process to add an RUC waitlist was actually done. Unfortunately, this does NOT indicate that the other manual steps of the RUC waitlist process were successfully completed by the agent (i.e. even if you see the second seat map, there still could be something wrong. There is simply no way for the customer to tell.)

1b) The status for a waitlisted segment should say something like "Upgrade Waitlisted"

2) Assuming the waitlist does not clear prior to check-in, the second hint is the upgrade waitlist. If the RUC waitlist request was coded correctly, you should show up at or very near the top of the upgrade waitlist that you can see on DL.com or the app. If you find yourself at your "usual" spot on the upgrade waitlist, this is a clue that the RUC waitlist request was not coded correctly.

3) The RUC is a form of "payment". Until the RUC clears, it remains "unused" so a waitlisted RUC will still show in your wallet as "open".

You may also wish to peruse the wiki for the GUC success thread as some of the considerations/logistics are similar between RUCs and GUCs.


Print Wikipost

Using Regional Upgrades on Delta (pre 2/1/2022)

Old Dec 14, 2014, 10:09 am
  #151  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 10
RUC - Upgrade Fail with Delta Vacations

Short Version - Unable to use RUC on Delta metal flights purchased via Delta Vacations despite space being available and DMD status. Delta.com shows fares are "Upgrade Eligible." Inconsistent support from Diamond Medallion Line and DV. Each HUACA resulted in a different story and different instructions.

Long Version - (Optional) - Don't flame me!
Via Delta.com, purchased vacation to Cancun on Delta Vacations. Prior to purchase, I put trip on "24 hour hold" and called Delta Vacations to confirm that I'd be able to use Delta Regional Upgrade certificate on the return flights that were booked in an upgrade eligible fare class if upgrade space was available. I purchased the vacation and subsequently called the Delta
Diamond Medallion line to use the Regional Upgrades. The agent confirmed
that upgrade space was available, but indicated that since the tickets
had been purchased via Delta Vacations reservation system, she could not
complete the transaction, but that any Delta airport ticketing location
could. She also indicated that she was documenting this in my record. I went to the ticket counter in Minneapolis. After waiting in line for 30 minutes, the MSP ticketing agent didn't know what I was talking about. She then placed a phone call and after about 10 minutes told
me that there wasn't anything she could do to assist me and that I
should call the Delta Medallion line. I called the Delta Medallion line again where an agent confirmed the upgrade for my wife and me and emailed a confirmation of the upgraded itinerary to me including seat assignments 1A and 1B. An hour later, the Diamond Medallion Line agent called me back and told me that she wasn't authorized to complete the transaction because the
tickets had been issued by Delta Vacations, and I would need to contact
them to apply the upgrades. Unbelievable. I contacted Delta Vacations,
and the agent there said I needed to call back between 9:00 - 5:00 when
their upgrade specialists were in the office. I called DV back the next
day, and the representative took my Regional Upgrade certificate numbers
and redemption codes. After a long hold, she told me that she would not
be able to process the upgrades for me because the certificates "needed
to be the first form of payment, and since the tickets were already
purchased, can't upgrade the tickets." I explained that these upgrade
certificates actually can't be used unless the ticket has been
purchased, but to no avail. She suggested that I try contacting the
Delta Diamond Medallion Desk. The next Delta Diamond Medallion
agent said that since Delta Vacations buys "bulk fares" the Regional
Upgrades can not be used. She looked at the record and could see that
much of the fiasco had been documented including telling me to go to an
airport ticket counter. She contacted a supervisor to give it one last
try. The supervisor told her that there was no way to override and get
Regional Upgrades Certificates processed, and that I should contact
Delta Vacations.

Final comment: Delta Vacations - What is not transparently stated is that you are purchasing an inferior bulk ticket that negates many of the
perks/privileges of being a Diamond Medallion Member. Caveat emptor!
Buyer beware.
frozentundramn is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 1:55 pm
  #152  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Delta DM MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, TSA Pre-Check
Posts: 334
RUC Upgrade Priority

I have read through this thread but cannot find an answer to this.......

My wife (no status) and I (DM) are traveling and have waitlisted to use RUC certificates for an upcoming trip on the same PNR. Assuming no one else on the flight is using RUC and assuming they are coded correctly we should be #1 and #2 on the upgrade list, correct? I am very familiar with her priority using Complementary Medallion Upgrades but wasn't sure how they worked with the RUC.
WyomingBound is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2014, 6:37 am
  #153  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
First RUC success today. MCO-SLC. While the cert was added last week, right after purchase, there was an issue upon checking in. I did not show up on the ug list at all. A call to DM line fixed the issue. I was told that something did not activate at check-in.

Last night I was 1 of many for 0 seats. Overnight a seat opened and I was 1 of 32 for 1. Cleared just before boarding.

I miss the 757 on this route.


Trying my luck again Saturday evening for the return. 0 seats in F right now on a 737-800.
Crazyhotelguy is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2014, 6:51 am
  #154  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: TPA or PDX
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 95
Via Delta.com, purchased vacation to Cancun on Delta Vacations. Prior to purchase, I put trip on "24 hour hold" and called Delta Vacations to confirm that I'd be able to use Delta Regional Upgrade certificate on the return flights that were booked in an upgrade eligible fare class if upgrade space was available.
I may be wrong here, but should you have not applied a GUC for this flight instead of an RUC since Mexico is an International destination?
offdalip is offline  
Old Jan 1, 2015, 6:13 pm
  #155  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Marriott LTT, DL FO
Posts: 185
I just applied a RUC for the outbound portion of one of my future trips. One leg cleared instantly, and the other one shows as "Upgrade Requested" on the Trip Details page. I think further back in this thread people mentioned that if the RUC was applied correctly then I should see a "Systemwide Upgrade Requested" message instead. Anyone else have this message on their waitlisted segments? I'm not sure if this is new wording for the new SM program year, or if it is a case of an improperly coded RUC.
MotelRomeo is offline  
Old Jan 1, 2015, 6:29 pm
  #156  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,850
Originally Posted by MotelRomeo
I just applied a RUC for the outbound portion of one of my future trips. One leg cleared instantly, and the other one shows as "Upgrade Requested" on the Trip Details page. I think further back in this thread people mentioned that if the RUC was applied correctly then I should see a "Systemwide Upgrade Requested" message instead. Anyone else have this message on their waitlisted segments? I'm not sure if this is new wording for the new SM program year, or if it is a case of an improperly coded RUC.
It seems to have changed in the past couple of weeks - my waitlisted segments show "Upgrade Requested". Segments without an RUC or SWU waitlisted show "Medallion Upgrade Requested."

David
DiverDave is offline  
Old Jan 1, 2015, 6:39 pm
  #157  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Marriott LTT, DL FO
Posts: 185
Originally Posted by DiverDave
It seems to have changed in the past couple of weeks - my waitlisted segments show "Upgrade Requested". Segments without an RUC or SWU waitlisted show "Medallion Upgrade Requested."

David
Thanks for the quick response.
MotelRomeo is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2015, 1:53 pm
  #158  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 10
RUCs apply to the US, Mexico, Caribbean.
frozentundramn is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2015, 2:39 pm
  #159  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 822
I have an upcoming trip w/ companion where I've applied RUC to both legs of up the trip. (2 segs each way). We cleared on 2 segs already (1 on each way). Naturally I've been watching first class seatmaps and to my disappointment the second leg of our outgoing flight now is only showing 1 open FC seat (yes I know, it could be sold and not really open.) For my question, let's assume that there is only 1 open FC seat. Since we have a RUC applied myself & companion should be #1 and #2 on upgrade list (unless others w/ higher status are also using RUC etc). In that scenario would one of us get the 1 available seat or is it an "all or nothing" scenario where they would give the seat to #3? Just curious. I'm hoping we might still get the 1 seat so my wife can live the life of luxury at least. Thanks!
JayTeaBee is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2015, 3:45 pm
  #160  
Marriott 5+ Badge
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,042
Originally Posted by JayTeaBee
I have an upcoming trip w/ companion where I've applied RUC to both legs of up the trip. (2 segs each way). We cleared on 2 segs already (1 on each way). Naturally I've been watching first class seatmaps and to my disappointment the second leg of our outgoing flight now is only showing 1 open FC seat (yes I know, it could be sold and not really open.) For my question, let's assume that there is only 1 open FC seat. Since we have a RUC applied myself & companion should be #1 and #2 on upgrade list (unless others w/ higher status are also using RUC etc). In that scenario would one of us get the 1 available seat or is it an "all or nothing" scenario where they would give the seat to #3? Just curious. I'm hoping we might still get the 1 seat so my wife can live the life of luxury at least. Thanks!
Best to just talk to the gate agent before departure and let them know that you prefer to take just one seat if that's all that is available.

Note that you as the Medallion member will be the one upgraded, and you can then let your wife take your seat while you take hers once you board. So make sure that her seat assignment in coach is the better one between you (she has the aisle seat and you have the middle, for example).
bgriff is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2015, 4:20 pm
  #161  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 822
Originally Posted by colerc
Best to just talk to the gate agent before departure and let them know that you prefer to take just one seat if that's all that is available.

Note that you as the Medallion member will be the one upgraded, and you can then let your wife take your seat while you take hers once you board. So make sure that her seat assignment in coach is the better one between you (she has the aisle seat and you have the middle, for example).
Good call, will do. Currently we're both on an aisle seat of EC on the A320 so no worries there. We prefer to sit across the aisle from each other with a 3 3 config so neither has to deal with a middle seat.
JayTeaBee is offline  
Old Jan 13, 2015, 12:33 pm
  #162  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: CA
Programs: DL DM, AA Gold
Posts: 223
Applied an RUC to the MSP-LAX segment having already been upgraded on the MCO-MSP leg, the upgrade wait list was massive... Called around 11PM, the CS agent applied the cert, gave me my seat assignment immediately and everything went off without a hitch. No calling back to fix any issues, smooth as silk.
burbanite is offline  
Old Jan 13, 2015, 12:52 pm
  #163  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,681
I recently flew out of SXM. I was frustrated because I called Delta PM desk and asked if the Airport contracted out staff? I was told by the PM agent that no they are Delta employees. I figured it was a small airport and funny things could happen as I felt as if someone somewhere was doing things like they did in the old days. I am not sure where but strings could have been pulled at corporate or SXM but I felt as if someone was keeping two seats upfront for someone and I am not going to divulge how I came to this conclusion. When I arrived to Delta counter low and behold everyone had Signature Air name tags. I was helped by a very nice man named Shaun who was able to get my RU to clear after about a 30-40 min phone call with Delta. Shaun asked if I could step aside while he multi tasked and checked in other passengers. Eventually he got me wait listed and I cleared at the gate.
Centurion is offline  
Old Jan 18, 2015, 1:53 pm
  #164  
Formerly known as scootr29
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 971
Originally Posted by burbanite
Applied an RUC to the MSP-LAX segment having already been upgraded on the MCO-MSP leg, the upgrade wait list was massive... Called around 11PM, the CS agent applied the cert, gave me my seat assignment immediately and everything went off without a hitch. No calling back to fix any issues, smooth as silk.
applied ruc for an atl to phx flight on dec 12th.....flight is scheduled for jan 21st. down to 4 seats showing available on delta.dumb....i called in today and asked why I have not been upgraded yet and blah blah blah could happen in 20 seconds or right before you board or never....i told the woman at delta that I would bet her 5 bucks I will still have the rucs at the end of the year...she just laughed.

should have taken the 20,000 miles
SSF556 is offline  
Old Jan 27, 2015, 12:20 pm
  #165  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: DL Million Miler
Posts: 1,963
I'm thinking of using a Regional Upgrade Cert tomorrow; there's one remaining F seat; the flight is also oversold, and I volunteered online already.

Do you think if the upgrade clears 30 minutes before boarding - - but then they need me as a volunteer - - that I will get the certificate back as unused? Or will the fact that the upgrade cleared 30 minutes prior constitute use of the certificate, even if I get the bump and don't take the flight?

Inquiring minds want to know.
SpinzCity is offline  

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