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 3, 2021, 2:20 pm
#2101
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
During the time when it was one or the other, my SOP would be to remove the GUC/RUC request just before the DM upgrade window opened. It seemed that there was a better chance of inventory for free elite upgrades than instrument supported upgrades. OTOH, I suspect that doing this gave me the disadvantage of a very late upgrade request time, the final tiebreaker.
Oct 3, 2021, 10:00 pm
#2102
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SAT
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold (LT), Nat EL Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 625
I think, also, that there is no longer a premium group of agents for the higher tiered flyers... but that's just my theory trying to explain why just this week I was told that a leg and a segment and a flight are the same thing when it comes to RUC, and that a 4 segment round trip with availability on all 4 flights would require 4 certificates.
The conversation was unambiguous and her [lack of] understand of upgrades and how they work was just this side of astounding.
The conversation was unambiguous and her [lack of] understand of upgrades and how they work was just this side of astounding.
Oct 4, 2021, 8:53 am
#2103
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3,097
this used to be a requirement for the way the old system worked but it's no longer the case.
Oct 4, 2021, 12:03 pm
#2104
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, GlobalEntry, Admirals Club, United Club
Posts: 1,948
Tried to search, but I couldn't find this, although I'm sure it's answered somewhere. If you upgrade to first class using a certificate, can you do a same day change to a flight with Delta One? Or is Delta One considered a completely separate cabin?
Oct 4, 2021, 12:10 pm
#2105
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
As long as routing is allowed you can change. There was a restriction at one time, thus agent might argue if allowed.
Oct 4, 2021, 6:48 pm
#2106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,198
Yeah I recently flew on a few flights and used RUCs on just the long segments. Agent left the normal comp upgrades active and also had the RUC waitlisted.
One cleared a day out and I called to have them apply the RUC to the other short segment and ended up getting that to clear at the gate also.
Return flight the short cleared with comp upgrade and long cleared several days out.
Should be no issue having both requested at same time now.
One cleared a day out and I called to have them apply the RUC to the other short segment and ended up getting that to clear at the gate also.
Return flight the short cleared with comp upgrade and long cleared several days out.
Should be no issue having both requested at same time now.
Oct 6, 2021, 10:23 am
#2107
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LGA
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Marriott Plat Prem., Hilton Gold, National Exec Elite.
Posts: 2,533
Does Diamond on RUC trump Platinum on RUC for day of departure list? or does it just matter who requests RUC first? I know for global, the Diamond Desk told me for GUC whoever requests the upgrade first has higher priority (and trumps everything else) - not sure if that is right, but made me wonder about RUC.
Oct 6, 2021, 10:24 am
#2108
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LGA
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Marriott Plat Prem., Hilton Gold, National Exec Elite.
Posts: 2,533
I think, also, that there is no longer a premium group of agents for the higher tiered flyers... but that's just my theory trying to explain why just this week I was told that a leg and a segment and a flight are the same thing when it comes to RUC, and that a 4 segment round trip with availability on all 4 flights would require 4 certificates.
The conversation was unambiguous and her [lack of] understand of upgrades and how they work was just this side of astounding.
The conversation was unambiguous and her [lack of] understand of upgrades and how they work was just this side of astounding.
Oct 15, 2021, 8:14 am
#2109
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: AF/KL Gold, DL Diamond, Hertz PC, Bonvoy Gold Elite; Hilton Gold
Posts: 997
Quick question about the phantom seat map. I currently have a rock waitlisted in D1 from Seattle to JFK. It does indicate the “upgrade is waitlisted” (and comp upgrade is turned off). But I’m not seeing the phantom seat map like I have in the past. I think I read some thing a few weeks ago that flyerCO Mentioned he also did not get a phantom seat map. Have they changed this?
Oct 15, 2021, 8:19 am
#2110
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
Quick question about the phantom seat map. I currently have a rock waitlisted in D1 from Seattle to JFK. It does indicate the “upgrade is waitlisted” (and comp upgrade is turned off). But I’m not seeing the phantom seat map like I have in the past. I think I read some thing a few weeks ago that flyerCO Mentioned he also did not get a phantom seat map. Have they changed this?
Oct 20, 2021, 7:15 am
#2111
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA - Seattle area
Programs: DL Platinum, "alum" of high status with UA but not any more
Posts: 532
Newly minted Platinum Medallion here who opted for the "choice award" of 4 regional upgrade certificates.
I'm looking for a little guidance here: Yesterday, in booking travel for holiday travel (SEA-MSP-MSN), I opted for an itinerary that shows certificate availability on both segments. The outbound flight involves a red-eye (SEA-MSP), so F would be valuable and appreciated. So is there wisdom in calling today to confirm the upgrade . . .or am I better off waiting to see if the upgrade clears in the first day or so of the upgrade window? If I do wait for the upgrade window, and I do not clear in the first day or so, and F seats are available, is the upgrade certificate some kind of "trump card" that virtually guarantees the upgrade? Does a Platinum using a certificate move ahead of the Diamond looking for a complimentary upgrade?
In short, what is going to bother me about these certificates is the possibility that I burn one unnecessarily when I would have received a complimentary upgrade. How do you avoid so doing? Is there even a way to know if you did that (i.e., if I "spend" a certificate, can I discern whether I would have gotten the complimentary upgrade?).
Thanks in advance for any wisdom on the matter,
Second question What's the deal with having to call Delta to use a certificate? Why can't Delta build the functionality to do it at their website or through the app? Is it some kind of tactic where they give you the upgrade certificates but don't really want you to use them? In this current environment of extended hold times, you'd think they would make every single routine transaction available on a self-service basis. I feel like I'm back in 1995.
I'm looking for a little guidance here: Yesterday, in booking travel for holiday travel (SEA-MSP-MSN), I opted for an itinerary that shows certificate availability on both segments. The outbound flight involves a red-eye (SEA-MSP), so F would be valuable and appreciated. So is there wisdom in calling today to confirm the upgrade . . .or am I better off waiting to see if the upgrade clears in the first day or so of the upgrade window? If I do wait for the upgrade window, and I do not clear in the first day or so, and F seats are available, is the upgrade certificate some kind of "trump card" that virtually guarantees the upgrade? Does a Platinum using a certificate move ahead of the Diamond looking for a complimentary upgrade?
In short, what is going to bother me about these certificates is the possibility that I burn one unnecessarily when I would have received a complimentary upgrade. How do you avoid so doing? Is there even a way to know if you did that (i.e., if I "spend" a certificate, can I discern whether I would have gotten the complimentary upgrade?).
Thanks in advance for any wisdom on the matter,
Second question What's the deal with having to call Delta to use a certificate? Why can't Delta build the functionality to do it at their website or through the app? Is it some kind of tactic where they give you the upgrade certificates but don't really want you to use them? In this current environment of extended hold times, you'd think they would make every single routine transaction available on a self-service basis. I feel like I'm back in 1995.
Oct 20, 2021, 7:49 am
#2112
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
If its available book the upgrade. DL allows you to remove it. (Although not sure if need to buy need to buy new Y ticket in doing so. Conflicting information from agents)
If you wait till gate, you clear below all Diamonds who have applied certificate but before Diamond w/o a certificate. Before gate all that matters is time of request, so can beat a Diamond in this case.
DL IT is just cheap/awful. NW you could process upgrades online in 2005. DL stuck with the crappy DL systems instead of much better NW.
If you wait till gate, you clear below all Diamonds who have applied certificate but before Diamond w/o a certificate. Before gate all that matters is time of request, so can beat a Diamond in this case.
DL IT is just cheap/awful. NW you could process upgrades online in 2005. DL stuck with the crappy DL systems instead of much better NW.
Last edited by flyerCO; Oct 20, 2021 at 7:55 am
Oct 20, 2021, 7:53 am
#2113
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: AF/KL Gold, DL Diamond, Hertz PC, Bonvoy Gold Elite; Hilton Gold
Posts: 997
Newly minted Platinum Medallion here who opted for the "choice award" of 4 regional upgrade certificates.
I'm looking for a little guidance here: Yesterday, in booking travel for holiday travel (SEA-MSP-MSN), I opted for an itinerary that shows certificate availability on both segments. The outbound flight involves a red-eye (SEA-MSP), so F would be valuable and appreciated. So is there wisdom in calling today to confirm the upgrade . . .or am I better off waiting to see if the upgrade clears in the first day or so of the upgrade window? If I do wait for the upgrade window, and I do not clear in the first day or so, and F seats are available, is the upgrade certificate some kind of "trump card" that virtually guarantees the upgrade? Does a Platinum using a certificate move ahead of the Diamond looking for a complimentary upgrade?
In short, what is going to bother me about these certificates is the possibility that I burn one unnecessarily when I would have received a complimentary upgrade. How do you avoid so doing? Is there even a way to know if you did that (i.e., if I "spend" a certificate, can I discern whether I would have gotten the complimentary upgrade?).
Thanks in advance for any wisdom on the matter,
Second question What's the deal with having to call Delta to use a certificate? Why can't Delta build the functionality to do it at their website or through the app? Is it some kind of tactic where they give you the upgrade certificates but don't really want you to use them? In this current environment of extended hold times, you'd think they would make every single routine transaction available on a self-service basis. I feel like I'm back in 1995.
I'm looking for a little guidance here: Yesterday, in booking travel for holiday travel (SEA-MSP-MSN), I opted for an itinerary that shows certificate availability on both segments. The outbound flight involves a red-eye (SEA-MSP), so F would be valuable and appreciated. So is there wisdom in calling today to confirm the upgrade . . .or am I better off waiting to see if the upgrade clears in the first day or so of the upgrade window? If I do wait for the upgrade window, and I do not clear in the first day or so, and F seats are available, is the upgrade certificate some kind of "trump card" that virtually guarantees the upgrade? Does a Platinum using a certificate move ahead of the Diamond looking for a complimentary upgrade?
In short, what is going to bother me about these certificates is the possibility that I burn one unnecessarily when I would have received a complimentary upgrade. How do you avoid so doing? Is there even a way to know if you did that (i.e., if I "spend" a certificate, can I discern whether I would have gotten the complimentary upgrade?).
Thanks in advance for any wisdom on the matter,
Second question What's the deal with having to call Delta to use a certificate? Why can't Delta build the functionality to do it at their website or through the app? Is it some kind of tactic where they give you the upgrade certificates but don't really want you to use them? In this current environment of extended hold times, you'd think they would make every single routine transaction available on a self-service basis. I feel like I'm back in 1995.
If there is not instant availability available when you choose to use the RUC, then you will be placed on a waitlist. This waitlist only takes 2 things into consideration...first your status, second is timestamp. Fare class does not matter. If the RUC does not clear by day of travel, you will automatically be added at check-in to a completely different list called the Airport Standby List. On this list, the priority order is a bit more complex. First come GUC or RUC upgrades sorted by Status, Fare class grouping (and other factors like AMEX Reserve if a tie breaker is needed). Then come complimentary upgrades which use the same priority system. So yes, a Platinum standing by using a RUC comes after a Diamond with a RUC but before a Diamond complimentary upgrade.
And yes...its been commented on ad-nauseam why Delta cannot build usage of GUC's online. I think the issue lies that there can be complex application scenarios especially for International GUC's such as waitlisting for multiple flights or just long haul, etc and given the legacy nature of airline reservations systems is still a manual process. It is what it is.
Oct 20, 2021, 7:57 am
#2114
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
The point of RUC's is that you can confirm the upgrade near time of booking. Sure, the fact that you could get it in the 3 day upgrade window exists, but that's a call only you can make. With the number of Diamonds these days, many Platinums find it rare to get a comp upgrade on many flights so a RUC sometimes can have more value for a PM than a DM. Having said that though, you can always apply the RUC and if First looks VERY open after the 5 day Diamond window opens, you could have it RUC removed, it is allowed now.
If there is not instant availability available when you choose to use the RUC, then you will be placed on a waitlist. This waitlist only takes 2 things into consideration...first your status, second is timestamp. Fare class does not matter. If the RUC does not clear by day of travel, you will automatically be added at check-in to a completely different list called the Airport Standby List. On this list, the priority order is a bit more complex. First come GUC or RUC upgrades sorted by Status, Fare class grouping (and other factors like AMEX Reserve if a tie breaker is needed). Then come complimentary upgrades which use the same priority system. So yes, a Platinum standing by using a RUC comes after a Diamond with a RUC but before a Diamond complimentary upgrade.
And yes...its been commented on ad-nauseam why Delta cannot build usage of GUC's online. I think the issue lies that there can be complex application scenarios especially for International GUC's such as waitlisting for multiple flights or just long haul, etc and given the legacy nature of airline reservations systems is still a manual process. It is what it is.
If there is not instant availability available when you choose to use the RUC, then you will be placed on a waitlist. This waitlist only takes 2 things into consideration...first your status, second is timestamp. Fare class does not matter. If the RUC does not clear by day of travel, you will automatically be added at check-in to a completely different list called the Airport Standby List. On this list, the priority order is a bit more complex. First come GUC or RUC upgrades sorted by Status, Fare class grouping (and other factors like AMEX Reserve if a tie breaker is needed). Then come complimentary upgrades which use the same priority system. So yes, a Platinum standing by using a RUC comes after a Diamond with a RUC but before a Diamond complimentary upgrade.
And yes...its been commented on ad-nauseam why Delta cannot build usage of GUC's online. I think the issue lies that there can be complex application scenarios especially for International GUC's such as waitlisting for multiple flights or just long haul, etc and given the legacy nature of airline reservations systems is still a manual process. It is what it is.
Oct 21, 2021, 5:06 am
#2115
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
Has anyone ever had success using an RUC on an Air France North America to Caribbean flight?