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)
Jan 15, 2019, 5:05 pm
#1426
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL
Posts: 466
You mean SDCing while an RUC is waitlisted? Not really all that different from normal SDC, though you'll need to make sure your waitlist request carries over. The V fare might be a bigger issue.
What day of the week/flight time are you on for SFO-JFK? I've never not had an RUC clear on that route when I flew it regularly, though admittedly I always avoided peak times (Sunday/Thursday night redeyes SFO-JFK, Monday morning/Thursday evening JFK-SFO).
What day of the week/flight time are you on for SFO-JFK? I've never not had an RUC clear on that route when I flew it regularly, though admittedly I always avoided peak times (Sunday/Thursday night redeyes SFO-JFK, Monday morning/Thursday evening JFK-SFO).
Jan 15, 2019, 7:23 pm
#1427
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta DM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,987
Minor RUC issue / data point: I booked MSN>MSP>LAX last year and wait-listed a RUC for MSP>LAX, with specific instructions that we wouldn't try MSN>MSP until the LAX leg cleared. It never cleared and then for medical reasons I didn't take the trip and cancelled it and used the credit later. I DM'd the Twitter team to use that RUC on MSN>DTW>MSY in February, before it expires a few weeks later. They replied that it had already been used on the LAX trip. I never gave them the redemption code, just the cert #, if that mattered. I did basically a HUCA and this time called the Diamond desk and she said the cert was clear and processed it as fast as I've seen a RUC/GUC be applied. So just be aware that Twitter reps may not accurately see certificate readiness compared to DM agents. I don't know why I got such a different result. The certificate was definitely valid, in my wallet and had not cleared.
Jan 18, 2019, 12:57 am
#1428
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: VPS, previously SEA and PIT
Programs: DL Diamond/1MM, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 1,200
I've had RUCs cleared for a flight tomorrow and am trying to SDC to a different flight. The phone agent is saying that I would need to reissue the RUCs and see if there's upgrade availability again, even though I've already cleared. Is this true? I've heard mixed reviews from different agents and on here.
Jan 18, 2019, 5:46 am
#1429
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 had RUCs cleared for a flight tomorrow and am trying to SDC to a different flight. The phone agent is saying that I would need to reissue the RUCs and see if there's upgrade availability again, even though I've already cleared. Is this true? I've heard mixed reviews from different agents and on here.
Jan 18, 2019, 6:09 am
#1430
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
I've had RUCs cleared for a flight tomorrow and am trying to SDC to a different flight. The phone agent is saying that I would need to reissue the RUCs and see if there's upgrade availability again, even though I've already cleared. Is this true? I've heard mixed reviews from different agents and on here.
Jan 18, 2019, 7:34 am
#1431
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 262
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.
Jan 18, 2019, 8:57 am
#1432
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Fun update to my situation. I called DM desk yesterday - all I said was that I was booked on ATL-SFO on X date. Agent responded with something like, "Yep, I have that itinerary up and see you have an upgrade certificate listed." No prompting by me.
She seemed to know I was calling to check that it was applied correctly (I guess they get this a lot), spent maybe 10 seconds looking at whatever she looks at, and then said everything looked in order. She said something else about "let me try to activate it" and then came back and said the system rejected her request as it was too early to be activated. Ok, whatever. I just set up some EF seat alerts to hopefully snag a better seat than my current random window seat in the back.
Logged back in today just to see what was going on, and I now see the "Upgrade Status:Upgrade Waitlisted" notation on my PNR. Though still no double seat map.
This whole process is a hot mess.
She seemed to know I was calling to check that it was applied correctly (I guess they get this a lot), spent maybe 10 seconds looking at whatever she looks at, and then said everything looked in order. She said something else about "let me try to activate it" and then came back and said the system rejected her request as it was too early to be activated. Ok, whatever. I just set up some EF seat alerts to hopefully snag a better seat than my current random window seat in the back.
Logged back in today just to see what was going on, and I now see the "Upgrade Status:Upgrade Waitlisted" notation on my PNR. Though still no double seat map.
This whole process is a hot mess.
Jan 18, 2019, 11:37 am
#1433
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
I've had RUCs cleared for a flight tomorrow and am trying to SDC to a different flight. The phone agent is saying that I would need to reissue the RUCs and see if there's upgrade availability again, even though I've already cleared. Is this true? I've heard mixed reviews from different agents and on here.
Jan 23, 2019, 11:41 am
#1434
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: 17,421
I always swore never to pick RUC for CB, but did and glad I did. Burned two for a successful UG on A333 SLC-HNL. Only four cleared at gate and wife and I would have missed it (we were #5/6 before we applied the RUC).
Jan 25, 2019, 5:28 pm
#1435
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,117
First time attempting RUC usage
Hey friends, I'm attempting to use my RUC for the first time on a TCON in April. A couple questions...
1.) Anyone have any odds on how likely UG inventory will be released? I'm looking at a Thursday JFK-SFO (any time) and a Saturday SFO-JFK redeye.
2.) Delta normally won't let you buy a D1 ticket from JFK-LAX-SFO (it always shows SOLD OUT, I'm assuming due to married segment logic). But do you know if you can apply RUC on the JFK-LAX route even though you can't buy that? I'm wondering because I know sometimes the JFK-LAX routes are on larger aircraft than 757-200 and might have more availability?
3.) Finally (And I just want to confirm), mileage upgrades pull from the SAME bucket at RUC, meaning there's no reason to BOTH request a RUC and milage upgrade, right?
1.) Anyone have any odds on how likely UG inventory will be released? I'm looking at a Thursday JFK-SFO (any time) and a Saturday SFO-JFK redeye.
2.) Delta normally won't let you buy a D1 ticket from JFK-LAX-SFO (it always shows SOLD OUT, I'm assuming due to married segment logic). But do you know if you can apply RUC on the JFK-LAX route even though you can't buy that? I'm wondering because I know sometimes the JFK-LAX routes are on larger aircraft than 757-200 and might have more availability?
3.) Finally (And I just want to confirm), mileage upgrades pull from the SAME bucket at RUC, meaning there's no reason to BOTH request a RUC and milage upgrade, right?
Jan 25, 2019, 5:48 pm
#1436
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL
Posts: 466
@Pianoman, fwiw there is one 767-400 that flies SFO-JFK daily.
I booked this Friday SFO-JFK and this Sunday JFK-SFO, so far this has been a terrible idea. I SDCed to the -400 after the Friday flight sold out in D1 and ended up as #6 (out of 60) for 4 D1 seats (on the 40 seat plane!). Sunday will probably be terrible as well, although there’s J9 on a couple Sunday morning flights.
I booked this Friday SFO-JFK and this Sunday JFK-SFO, so far this has been a terrible idea. I SDCed to the -400 after the Friday flight sold out in D1 and ended up as #6 (out of 60) for 4 D1 seats (on the 40 seat plane!). Sunday will probably be terrible as well, although there’s J9 on a couple Sunday morning flights.
Jan 25, 2019, 6:14 pm
#1437
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
Programs: Dividend Miles, WorldPerks
Posts: 1,302
Got confirmed for my wife and I this summer...PIT-DTW-HNL-MSP-PIT. 
DL just made up for making me trash two unused RUC's last year.
DL just made up for making me trash two unused RUC's last year.
Jan 26, 2019, 8:17 pm
#1438
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,210
To clarify, as a DM, I'm guessing you prefer all 4 GUC's
Last edited by MarkP24; Jan 26, 2019 at 8:18 pm Reason: clarification
Jan 26, 2019, 8:41 pm
#1439
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL
Posts: 466
SDC question... I did an SDC to an earlier flight with immediate RUC availability and cleared. From what I’ve read on here, clearing in advance with a RUC allows confirmed SDC changes to any flight with open seats.
Can I really just SDC back onto my original flight and keep the upgrade?
Can I really just SDC back onto my original flight and keep the upgrade?
Jan 26, 2019, 8:49 pm
#1440
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
Even if PM benefit, 20k pesos is still better than 4 RUCs that expire unused, if someone's travel patterns are such that clearing is unlikely.
Yes. I'm not sure I'd necessarily do all this within a single phone call though. Even though each event in the sequence is according to policy, an agent might balk. Discretion seems worth it...
SDC question... I did an SDC to an earlier flight with immediate RUC availability and cleared. From what I’ve read on here, clearing in advance with a RUC allows confirmed SDC changes to any flight with open seats.
Can I really just SDC back onto my original flight and keep the upgrade?
Can I really just SDC back onto my original flight and keep the upgrade?