Oct 15, 2016, 9:00 am
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
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.
*****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.
Using Regional Upgrades on Delta (pre 2/1/2022)
Oct 29, 2018, 7:47 am
#1306
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
I hear ya. I'm just debating putting all of my RUC's on this flight as we're 2 passengers (although it won't necessarily clear) by going with a strategy of earn and burn for any flight above X hours even though this isn't D1). Everything seems to require a waitlist, so maybe I just throw it all on this flight. The last thing I want is to be left with unused RUC's.
If I request a RUC waitlisted for a flight, can I change my mind and pull it before it clears? How about after?
If I request a RUC waitlisted for a flight, can I change my mind and pull it before it clears? How about after?
Oct 29, 2018, 8:46 am
#1307
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CHS
Programs: DL Diamond, WN A-List, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 685
I've done a good bit of searching and was wondering if anyone can help answer these questions:
- Can you use an RUC on a SkyBonus award redemption? For those unfamiliar with the SkyBonus program, when redeeming an award an eCredit/voucher is created and you're then able to book on Delta.com. The RUC T&Cs state that "Certificate may not be used to upgrade other published fares booked in E class, Award Tickets or Pay with Miles tickets." but since it's an eCredit/voucher that books into an eligible fare class (T class), maybe this is allowed?
- Can you use an RUC on a regional Aeromexico flight (i.e. ATL-MEX or ATL-BJX)? The Delta.com RUC T&Cs still state "Regional upgrades may not be used on partner airlines" but I've read that Aeromexico is now allowed, is this correct?
Last edited by jmgriffin; Oct 29, 2018 at 8:47 am Reason: spacing
Oct 29, 2018, 10:25 am
#1308
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
I've done a good bit of searching and was wondering if anyone can help answer these questions:
- Can you use an RUC on a SkyBonus award redemption? For those unfamiliar with the SkyBonus program, when redeeming an award an eCredit/voucher is created and you're then able to book on Delta.com. The RUC T&Cs state that "Certificate may not be used to upgrade other published fares booked in E class, Award Tickets or Pay with Miles tickets." but since it's an eCredit/voucher that books into an eligible fare class (T class), maybe this is allowed?
- Can you use an RUC on a regional Aeromexico flight (i.e. ATL-MEX or ATL-BJX)? The Delta.com RUC T&Cs still state "Regional upgrades may not be used on partner airlines" but I've read that Aeromexico is now allowed, is this correct?
2)Yes can upgrade....with a GUC. RUC only work on DL/DL CNX flights.
Oct 29, 2018, 8:06 pm
#1309
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,211
I don't believe the JFK-PHX routes have any D1 flights. This link has a list of all D1 flights: https://news.delta.com/delta-one-ser...mestic-markets
Oct 30, 2018, 7:42 pm
#1310
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CHS
Programs: DL Diamond, WN A-List, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 685
Oct 31, 2018, 11:09 pm
#1311
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
I don't believe the JFK-PHX routes have any D1 flights. This link has a list of all D1 flights: https://news.delta.com/delta-one-ser...mestic-markets
Oct 31, 2018, 11:22 pm
#1312
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,057
https://news.delta.com/delta-one-ser...mestic-markets
Nov 1, 2018, 9:54 am
#1313
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: Delta, Marriott
Posts: 187
Is it just me or is getting harder to clear with RUCs? I'm DL Plat, about 30k miles from Diamond this year and have 3 RUCs that might expire because I can't seem to get them to clear. I've tried JFK>SFO (both ways) twice, ATL>HNL (both ways).
I might have to use them on a JFK >LAS flight without Delta One.
Is anybody running the risk of having RUCs expire this year?
I might have to use them on a JFK >LAS flight without Delta One.
Is anybody running the risk of having RUCs expire this year?
Nov 1, 2018, 9:58 am
#1314
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,342
Is it just me or is getting harder to clear with RUCs? I'm DL Plat, about 30k miles from Diamond this year and have 3 RUCs that might expire because I can't seem to get them to clear. I've tried JFK>SFO (both ways) twice, ATL>HNL (both ways).
I might have to use them on a JFK >LAS flight without Delta One.
Is anybody running the risk of having RUCs expire this year?
I might have to use them on a JFK >LAS flight without Delta One.
Is anybody running the risk of having RUCs expire this year?
I'm at 50% lately on much easier routes LAX-DTW (missed but was close lol, first or second loser) SEA-DTW (cleared days before) - both were Friday morning flights.
Nov 1, 2018, 10:01 am
#1315
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: Delta, Marriott
Posts: 187
Yea, I was shooting for the moon with HNL - but most of my SFO flights are Tuesday or Wednesday which I figured were lighter days for business travelers.
I guess it's just wishful thinking that I could get D1 redemption on all of my RUCs - though last two years I was able to do it easily so just comparing the 2018 vs 2016/17 it does feel like it's been harder to clear on the routes I take most often.
It just feels low value to redeem RUC on anything but D1.
I guess it's just wishful thinking that I could get D1 redemption on all of my RUCs - though last two years I was able to do it easily so just comparing the 2018 vs 2016/17 it does feel like it's been harder to clear on the routes I take most often.
It just feels low value to redeem RUC on anything but D1.
Nov 1, 2018, 1:17 pm
#1316
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, AA, WP
Posts: 840
Is it just me or is getting harder to clear with RUCs? I'm DL Plat, about 30k miles from Diamond this year and have 3 RUCs that might expire because I can't seem to get them to clear. I've tried JFK>SFO (both ways) twice, ATL>HNL (both ways).
I might have to use them on a JFK >LAS flight without Delta One.
Is anybody running the risk of having RUCs expire this year?
I might have to use them on a JFK >LAS flight without Delta One.
Is anybody running the risk of having RUCs expire this year?
I wound up using two from LAS-JFK, not D1 but it's a longish domestic flight. I definitely think it's getting harder. I have one left and have some time to keep trying TCON, but may have to burn it on something shorter, like the midwest.
Nov 1, 2018, 2:09 pm
#1317
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
RUCs are definitely hard to use. My flights seem to fall into two categories: flights that have low F demand for whatever reason, in which case I clear without a RUC (this is rare, but it happens). The other side of the coin are flights with high demand that go to the gate with 0 seats remaining - or 1 seat available with 25 diamonds all fighting for it with a bunch of RUCs applied. I've been #8 on an M fare with a RUC applied (I moved up two whole spots after applying it.. woohoo) with 2 seats available T-23 hours. Went to the gate with 0 seats available and no one cleared (this wasn't D1 - just regular F on an ATL->West Coast route).
I've successfully used 1 RUC out of 4 with probably 10 or so attempts. I'm also 0/4 for my GUCs.
I've successfully used 1 RUC out of 4 with probably 10 or so attempts. I'm also 0/4 for my GUCs.
Nov 1, 2018, 2:17 pm
#1318
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, AA, WP
Posts: 840
Nov 1, 2018, 2:25 pm
#1319
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: SJC/SFO. EWR/JFK
Programs: AS MVP 100K, DL PL
Posts: 542
I successfully used 4 RUCs, all transcon D1s. I feel like if you’re flexible enough - date & time, you’ll be able to use it. And if the ticket of D1 is super low, like 658, it is highly possible you can clear it right away (if you book a ticket next March).
Nov 1, 2018, 2:28 pm
#1320
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, AA, WP
Posts: 840
Wow, good for you lonelygod, that's great success! I really thought, "how many DMs want to go TCON on Sunday morning at 7am?" I guess more than I expected.