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)
Feb 8, 2015, 1:43 pm
#196
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
In both cases, the risk is that the preferred routing isn't available.
Feb 18, 2015, 11:23 am
#197
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
MCO-PDX: Best RUC Route?
Now that I know the strategy (find a route with comfirmable RUC UGs and then hope to SDC)...
Traveling MCO-PDX in May. RUC UG available MCO-MSP but not MSP-PDX. RUC Available LAX-PDX but not MCO-LAX.
Which route would you RUC wait-list on? Or is there something better (i.e. with a greater probability that the RUC UG will clear the wait-list).
Traveling MCO-PDX in May. RUC UG available MCO-MSP but not MSP-PDX. RUC Available LAX-PDX but not MCO-LAX.
Which route would you RUC wait-list on? Or is there something better (i.e. with a greater probability that the RUC UG will clear the wait-list).
Feb 18, 2015, 11:28 am
#198
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
Now that I know the strategy (find a route with comfirmable RUC UGs and then hope to SDC)...
Traveling MCO-PDX in May. RUC UG available MCO-MSP but not MSP-PDX. RUC Available LAX-PDX but not MCO-LAX.
Which route would you RUC wait-list on? Or is there something better (i.e. with a greater probability that the RUC UG will clear the wait-list).
Traveling MCO-PDX in May. RUC UG available MCO-MSP but not MSP-PDX. RUC Available LAX-PDX but not MCO-LAX.
Which route would you RUC wait-list on? Or is there something better (i.e. with a greater probability that the RUC UG will clear the wait-list).
But, if you're going to go for it anyway, the MSP routing seems better of the two you present, since at least that way you have one fairly long segment cleared on the RUC. I would guess that the RUC on a route like LAX-MCO is unlikely to clear before the gate, especially if you're traveling at a peak time of week.
Feb 18, 2015, 11:34 am
#199
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
I'm not sure if you'll be able to make it work for this trip, since I would assume you need both segments to have cleared the RUC in order to do the SDC trick. I also have no idea how it would work if you wanted to SDC to a different routing altogether.
But, if you're going to go for it anyway, the MSP routing seems better of the two you present, since at least that way you have one fairly long segment cleared on the RUC. I would guess that the RUC on a route like LAX-MCO is unlikely to clear before the gate, especially if you're traveling at a peak time of week.
But, if you're going to go for it anyway, the MSP routing seems better of the two you present, since at least that way you have one fairly long segment cleared on the RUC. I would guess that the RUC on a route like LAX-MCO is unlikely to clear before the gate, especially if you're traveling at a peak time of week.
Feb 18, 2015, 2:45 pm
#202
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,495
Yeah I love those 757s with 24 F seats. By the way, have you used this RUC > SDC strategy before? It seems like a good idea but the language on the SDC requires you to have a "premium cabin fare" to make a change without finding space in the original fare class, and I'd always assumed the original fare class controlled (not the upgraded one from the RUC). If I'm wrong, this is really a great opportunity to book a cheap redeye with RUC availability and have good odds of switching last minute to the more desirable flight.
Feb 18, 2015, 3:26 pm
#203
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
Yeah I love those 757s with 24 F seats. By the way, have you used this RUC > SDC strategy before? It seems like a good idea but the language on the SDC requires you to have a "premium cabin fare" to make a change without finding space in the original fare class, and I'd always assumed the original fare class controlled (not the upgraded one from the RUC). If I'm wrong, this is really a great opportunity to book a cheap redeye with RUC availability and have good odds of switching last minute to the more desirable flight.
The other strategic use of the RUC seems to be to use it inside the UG window to get to the top of the BFU list. This might be a better strategy in the long run.
Feb 18, 2015, 3:43 pm
#204
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
I have not done it personally, but go back in this thread to #189 and read forward to now. Seems that others have been doing this for some time.
The other strategic use of the RUC seems to be to use it inside the UG window to get to the top of the BFU list. This might be a better strategy in the long run.
The other strategic use of the RUC seems to be to use it inside the UG window to get to the top of the BFU list. This might be a better strategy in the long run.
Feb 18, 2015, 5:17 pm
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
I have not done it personally, but go back in this thread to #189 and read forward to now. Seems that others have been doing this for some time.
The other strategic use of the RUC seems to be to use it inside the UG window to get to the top of the BFU list. This might be a better strategy in the long run.
The other strategic use of the RUC seems to be to use it inside the UG window to get to the top of the BFU list. This might be a better strategy in the long run.
Feb 18, 2015, 6:37 pm
#206
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Programs: DL DM, Bonvoy LTT, HH Diam, UA Silver, USAF million miler ;)
Posts: 1,596
At least I caught him in time to get last year's and this year's RUCs.
Feb 18, 2015, 7:08 pm
#207
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
Your problem really highlights an important strategy. If you use the RUC for MCO-MSP, you may or may not get lucky with MSP-PDX. If you don’t, it means you used the RUC only for half your trip.
OTOH, the LAX-PDX is available but if you use a RUC and don’t get MCO-LAX, you wasted a RUC on a pitifully short flt which IIRC is an RJ, maybe a 7 or 9(?). Only flown this route a few times but never missed the UG.
The only reason I would be inclined to take the flts through MSP is at least you have something in hand. However, I would personally choose via LAX for the RUC because the flt to PHX is a pretty easy UG. If somehow you fail on MCO-LAX, then nothing gets wasted. If you do this, waitlist both segs even though LAX-PHX is available.
Feb 18, 2015, 8:54 pm
#208
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
MCO-LAX is a bear on Mon morning when I travel, especially on a 737. Got this flt coming up and the DL seat map shows only three seats available in F. Never used a RUC but this might be the time to do it. It’s been tight when the flts are 757 but always got the UG.
Your problem really highlights an important strategy. If you use the RUC for MCO-MSP, you may or may not get lucky with MSP-PDX. If you don’t, it means you used the RUC only for half your trip.
OTOH, the LAX-PDX is available but if you use a RUC and don’t get MCO-LAX, you wasted a RUC on a pitifully short flt which IIRC is an RJ, maybe a 7 or 9(?). Only flown this route a few times but never missed the UG.
The only reason I would be inclined to take the flts through MSP is at least you have something in hand. However, I would personally choose via LAX for the RUC because the flt to PHX is a pretty easy UG. If somehow you fail on MCO-LAX, then nothing gets wasted. If you do this, waitlist both segs even though LAX-PHX is available.
Your problem really highlights an important strategy. If you use the RUC for MCO-MSP, you may or may not get lucky with MSP-PDX. If you don’t, it means you used the RUC only for half your trip.
OTOH, the LAX-PDX is available but if you use a RUC and don’t get MCO-LAX, you wasted a RUC on a pitifully short flt which IIRC is an RJ, maybe a 7 or 9(?). Only flown this route a few times but never missed the UG.
The only reason I would be inclined to take the flts through MSP is at least you have something in hand. However, I would personally choose via LAX for the RUC because the flt to PHX is a pretty easy UG. If somehow you fail on MCO-LAX, then nothing gets wasted. If you do this, waitlist both segs even though LAX-PHX is available.
Feb 18, 2015, 9:47 pm
#209
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Delta PM/2MM, Marriott Ambassador Elite/Lifetime Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 142
3.5 days from departure and I'm looking at 2 open in F for CHS-ATL and 8 open in F for ATL-LAX (the latter down from 17 a few days ago). On an H fare and I didn't clear at the 5-day window (seriously Delta, just take that "benefit" off the list at this point), so I called and applied a RUC. Showing as waitlisted for both legs, and CHS-ATL is listed as RP and ATL-LAX is listed as OP. Just a data point, not sure if it means anything.
Feb 19, 2015, 10:11 am
#210
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159