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)
Dec 11, 2018, 9:35 am
#1366
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,926
After the first call, I did not see the Upgrade Waitlisted on My Trip details, nor do I see the dual seat map for the waitlisted segments. 2 additional calls to the Diamond desk, have resulted in the agents, emphatically stating the RUCs are correctly applied. They chuckled a bit when I made reference to this FlyerTalk thread.
For people frustrated enough to write in and complain, I encourage you to point out, as I have been doing, that United freely displays upgrade inventory during flight searches in "Expert Mode" and allows you to apply and waitlist mileage/certificate upgrades yourself through the web site.
Dec 11, 2018, 11:53 am
#1367
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: GSP
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 52
Last week I did a mileage run to re-qualify for DM in 2019, GSP-DTW-SEA-ANC on the outbound and ANC-SEA-ATL-GSP on the return. I applied a RUC in each direction and all the legs cleared before T-24. The longer legs cleared at three different points (DTW-SEA; SEA-ANC and ANC-SEA; SEA-ATL), and they cleared the GSP-DTW and ATL-GSP legs when the longer ones had cleared.
I did have to stay on top of it, though. Every time, when the legs cleared, the reservation looked strange and I had to call and go through the lengthy process of them fixing it and re-issuing the ticket. In fact, SEA-ATL cleared as I was on the way to the airport in Greenville for the outbound. The ticketing agent looked so confused when he couldn't print my boarding passes. Come to find out, he canceled the request for the RUC upgrade on the return as his "fix." It took the diamond line agent a while to take care of it, but she did.
It was a bit of an ordeal, and a time commitment, but I am thankful I was able to use RUCs to sit in first class for the 8000+ mile journey. It was a good use of certificates and now I get another year of being a diamond medallion. (Even though I wish they could make this process simpler...)
I did have to stay on top of it, though. Every time, when the legs cleared, the reservation looked strange and I had to call and go through the lengthy process of them fixing it and re-issuing the ticket. In fact, SEA-ATL cleared as I was on the way to the airport in Greenville for the outbound. The ticketing agent looked so confused when he couldn't print my boarding passes. Come to find out, he canceled the request for the RUC upgrade on the return as his "fix." It took the diamond line agent a while to take care of it, but she did.
It was a bit of an ordeal, and a time commitment, but I am thankful I was able to use RUCs to sit in first class for the 8000+ mile journey. It was a good use of certificates and now I get another year of being a diamond medallion. (Even though I wish they could make this process simpler...)
Dec 11, 2018, 4:14 pm
#1368
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SJU
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 152
Something is strange. Two weeks ago, I cleared a RUC after it said "waitlisted" for a couple of weeks prior to clearing. Now using another RUC, and there is no "waitlist" indicia nor is there a duplicate seat map. Diamond line swears up and down that it is correctly applied. Skeptical.
Dec 11, 2018, 5:29 pm
#1369
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CVG
Programs: DL DM, 2MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 94
Sounds like your experience is the same as mine. Here is another weird occurrence, my new job has me flying to the West Coast more often. In my research upcoming trips, ALL of the flights are listed as J, C, I and Z fare codes, yet are not International Business or D1. Wonder if that has something to do with it...
Dec 11, 2018, 6:33 pm
#1370
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,926
Sounds like your experience is the same as mine. Here is another weird occurrence, my new job has me flying to the West Coast more often. In my research upcoming trips, ALL of the flights are listed as J, C, I and Z fare codes, yet are not International Business or D1. Wonder if that has something to do with it...
The previous behavior didn't distinguish between domestic F or domestic D1-coded flights (other than RP vs. OP inventory previously and then RY/OY more recently when *those* fare buckets were re-labeled) so I wouldn't think that's related to the quirkiness you're seeing, but can't rule it out either :-/
Dec 11, 2018, 8:23 pm
#1371
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
Something is strange. Two weeks ago, I cleared a RUC after it said "waitlisted" for a couple of weeks prior to clearing. Now using another RUC, and there is no "waitlist" indicia nor is there a duplicate seat map. Diamond line swears up and down that it is correctly applied. Skeptical.
The only way to tell for sure an RUC was applied correctly is to:
1) actually get an RUC upgrade prior to the flight, or
2) check in for a flight, and see your name near / at the top of the upgrade list.
Both of these two conditions require that the booking agent must have correctly executed the (apparently) completely manual RUC application steps 100% correctly. If any single mistake was made during any of the manual steps, the upgrade / check-in process catches the mistake and (silently) rejects the RUC upgrade request.
The opposite isn't true. The lack of an upgrade is not necessarily evidence the RUC was applied incorrectly - there might simply not have been upgrade space available.
There is no way (for customers) to tell for sure an RUC was applied correctly to their reservation. For a multi-billion dollar corporation attempting to use loyalty as a marketing engine, this situation is simply unbelievable (and frankly un-competitive).
Dec 13, 2018, 7:44 pm
#1372
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,210
In my experience, the only consistent thing with customer-facing RUC "clues" is their inconsistency. There are only non-conclusive "clues" available to us as customers as to whether an RUC is applied correctly. The "clues" sometimes appear, and sometimes they don't.
The only way to tell for sure an RUC was applied correctly is to:
1) actually get an RUC upgrade prior to the flight, or
2) check in for a flight, and see your name near / at the top of the upgrade list.
Both of these two conditions require that the booking agent must have correctly executed the (apparently) completely manual RUC application steps 100% correctly. If any single mistake was made during any of the manual steps, the upgrade / check-in process catches the mistake and (silently) rejects the RUC upgrade request.
The opposite isn't true. The lack of an upgrade is not necessarily evidence the RUC was applied incorrectly - there might simply not have been upgrade space available.
There is no way (for customers) to tell for sure an RUC was applied correctly to their reservation. For a multi-billion dollar corporation attempting to use loyalty as a marketing engine, this situation is simply unbelievable (and frankly un-competitive).
The only way to tell for sure an RUC was applied correctly is to:
1) actually get an RUC upgrade prior to the flight, or
2) check in for a flight, and see your name near / at the top of the upgrade list.
Both of these two conditions require that the booking agent must have correctly executed the (apparently) completely manual RUC application steps 100% correctly. If any single mistake was made during any of the manual steps, the upgrade / check-in process catches the mistake and (silently) rejects the RUC upgrade request.
The opposite isn't true. The lack of an upgrade is not necessarily evidence the RUC was applied incorrectly - there might simply not have been upgrade space available.
There is no way (for customers) to tell for sure an RUC was applied correctly to their reservation. For a multi-billion dollar corporation attempting to use loyalty as a marketing engine, this situation is simply unbelievable (and frankly un-competitive).
Dec 13, 2018, 9:54 pm
#1373
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'm waitlisted for a RUC upgrade for a trip in January. Right after I was put on the waitlist, I could see duplicate seat maps for both segments on delta.com. Recently, a second copy of one of the flights has appeared that says "First Class (OY)" and "Upgrade Contact Delta", and I can still see both duplicate seat maps. My ticket number has not changed from when I bought the ticket. Does this mean the RUC has cleared and I'm in the reissue queue? Should I call and have it pushed through (the RUC expires before the trip, so I'm glad I got an agent to apply it).
Dec 13, 2018, 9:57 pm
#1374
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
Something is strange. Two weeks ago, I cleared a RUC after it said "waitlisted" for a couple of weeks prior to clearing. Now using another RUC, and there is no "waitlist" indicia nor is there a duplicate seat map. Diamond line swears up and down that it is correctly applied. Skeptical.
Dec 14, 2018, 7:29 pm
#1375
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
Flying KBP (Kiev) > JFK Monday. Spousal Unit 1 (yes, SU1 is an older model, but continues to service me well after 24 years) and I were scheduled to return home JFK>ATL>HSV Monday night. We’re both DMs and cleared into F at the window.
As is the general rule with my life, I had to split the PNR as I now have to go to my office in LA from JFK, so I had my ticket changed. The DM desk agent was AWESOME (Deirdra, I believe), voluntarily waived the change fee, and the Main Cabin (Q) fare JFK>LAX nonstop was cheaper than my JFK>HSV fare (M), so I actually got a credit. Since this was a long TCON flight, and I will have just come off a 10 hour TATL flight, I was going to book D1 ($1700 one-way) but decided to check RUC inventory on DL2896 this Monday.
Lo and behold, there was inventory available, so I snagged a $400 Q fare, applied the RUC, and instantly cleared into D1 (no waitlisting! Yay!).
So, in point of fact, a single RUC literally saved me $1300 I would have spent otherwise.
I’m 70% WFBF, and clear most other on status, but I use my RUCs/GUCs strategically and have literally saved $20K in 2018, which is a very quantifiable benefit for status accrual.
As is the general rule with my life, I had to split the PNR as I now have to go to my office in LA from JFK, so I had my ticket changed. The DM desk agent was AWESOME (Deirdra, I believe), voluntarily waived the change fee, and the Main Cabin (Q) fare JFK>LAX nonstop was cheaper than my JFK>HSV fare (M), so I actually got a credit. Since this was a long TCON flight, and I will have just come off a 10 hour TATL flight, I was going to book D1 ($1700 one-way) but decided to check RUC inventory on DL2896 this Monday.
Lo and behold, there was inventory available, so I snagged a $400 Q fare, applied the RUC, and instantly cleared into D1 (no waitlisting! Yay!).
So, in point of fact, a single RUC literally saved me $1300 I would have spent otherwise.
I’m 70% WFBF, and clear most other on status, but I use my RUCs/GUCs strategically and have literally saved $20K in 2018, which is a very quantifiable benefit for status accrual.
Dec 15, 2018, 11:40 am
#1376
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, AA, WP
Posts: 840
So disappointed there are no salacious, Mormon-related, put children-from-SU1-in-coach details...
Dec 15, 2018, 5:40 pm
#1377
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,210
Flying KBP (Kiev) > JFK Monday. Spousal Unit 1 (yes, SU1 is an older model, but continues to service me well after 24 years) and I were scheduled to return home JFK>ATL>HSV Monday night. We’re both DMs and cleared into F at the window.
As is the general rule with my life, I had to split the PNR as I now have to go to my office in LA from JFK, so I had my ticket changed. The DM desk agent was AWESOME (Deirdra, I believe), voluntarily waived the change fee, and the Main Cabin (Q) fare JFK>LAX nonstop was cheaper than my JFK>HSV fare (M), so I actually got a credit. Since this was a long TCON flight, and I will have just come off a 10 hour TATL flight, I was going to book D1 ($1700 one-way) but decided to check RUC inventory on DL2896 this Monday.
Lo and behold, there was inventory available, so I snagged a $400 Q fare, applied the RUC, and instantly cleared into D1 (no waitlisting! Yay!).
So, in point of fact, a single RUC literally saved me $1300 I would have spent otherwise.
I’m 70% WFBF, and clear most other on status, but I use my RUCs/GUCs strategically and have literally saved $20K in 2018, which is a very quantifiable benefit for status accrual.
As is the general rule with my life, I had to split the PNR as I now have to go to my office in LA from JFK, so I had my ticket changed. The DM desk agent was AWESOME (Deirdra, I believe), voluntarily waived the change fee, and the Main Cabin (Q) fare JFK>LAX nonstop was cheaper than my JFK>HSV fare (M), so I actually got a credit. Since this was a long TCON flight, and I will have just come off a 10 hour TATL flight, I was going to book D1 ($1700 one-way) but decided to check RUC inventory on DL2896 this Monday.
Lo and behold, there was inventory available, so I snagged a $400 Q fare, applied the RUC, and instantly cleared into D1 (no waitlisting! Yay!).
So, in point of fact, a single RUC literally saved me $1300 I would have spent otherwise.
I’m 70% WFBF, and clear most other on status, but I use my RUCs/GUCs strategically and have literally saved $20K in 2018, which is a very quantifiable benefit for status accrual.
Dec 16, 2018, 3:44 pm
#1378
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 134
What should one do in “that case”? I’m hitting Platinum for the first time next week and I’m just learning about RUCs. I fly LAX-JFK-LAX a lot!
Dec 16, 2018, 3:51 pm
#1379
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,926
Dec 16, 2018, 5:11 pm
#1380
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, AA, WP
Posts: 840
As previewed by Zorak above, if your companion is your spouse, you send them up to F. But if it's your business partner, who it was in this instance, you let him rot!
If you fly this route regularly, I think you'll use your RUCs over the year. Don't select RUCs until you've booked your next trip, the selection starts your year.