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 19, 2015, 10:12 am
#211
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
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 20, 2015, 7:24 am
#212
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
You were right. MSP-PDX was the right choice. Cleared today.
But I wish DL had a system to notify the pax when the RUC wait list has cleared. the only way I know is to check the seat map every few days. When the "Currently, you may only view seats for this flight" message on the "extra" seat map disappears it apparently means the UG has cleared. The seat map allows you to select a FC seat, but when you try to save it you get a new error message.
At that point you call DL and ask them to assign the seat. But today's agent said, at first, I had not cleared. I explained my prior experience and she looked closer and saw something that told her I had cleared. On hold for a couple of minutes and then she asks which FC seat I would like.
But I wish DL had a system to notify the pax when the RUC wait list has cleared. the only way I know is to check the seat map every few days. When the "Currently, you may only view seats for this flight" message on the "extra" seat map disappears it apparently means the UG has cleared. The seat map allows you to select a FC seat, but when you try to save it you get a new error message.
At that point you call DL and ask them to assign the seat. But today's agent said, at first, I had not cleared. I explained my prior experience and she looked closer and saw something that told her I had cleared. On hold for a couple of minutes and then she asks which FC seat I would like.
Feb 22, 2015, 11:50 pm
#213
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DIA
Programs: DL DM MM
Posts: 15
In the case where where the RUC does not clear, is the RUC "lost"? I called the Diamond line to "waitlist" my return flight in six days. She said if I don't clear the waitlist, I will lose that certificate. She said they just completed training and were told this fact. I cannot find any language in the "terms" that indicates the loss of the RUC if it does not clear. She also said this would also be true for a GUC.
Sorry, if this has been answered somewhere else, I did not find any other posts.
Sorry, if this has been answered somewhere else, I did not find any other posts.
Feb 23, 2015, 5:19 am
#214
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
In the case where where the RUC does not clear, is the RUC "lost"? I called the Diamond line to "waitlist" my return flight in six days. She said if I don't clear the waitlist, I will lose that certificate. She said they just completed training and were told this fact.
However, what can happen is you have one short seg and one long seg. The short seg waitlist clears, your RUC is applied, and then find out there are no F seats available on the longer one. Sorry, the RUC is gone.
Feb 23, 2015, 6:25 am
#215
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DIA
Programs: DL DM MM
Posts: 15
It would be helpful if others could ask this question or confirm that unfulfilled waitlist requests would not result in loss of that RUC. The Diamond agent said this was new training information.
My four hour direct flight to MSP on Saturday is full in FC. Since seats frequently free up, this seemed like a good hedge to get any seat that my open up, but I would not want to gamble away a RUC.
My plan is to call again and maybe again to get a consensus. Would like to hear what response other might get.
My four hour direct flight to MSP on Saturday is full in FC. Since seats frequently free up, this seemed like a good hedge to get any seat that my open up, but I would not want to gamble away a RUC.
My plan is to call again and maybe again to get a consensus. Would like to hear what response other might get.
Last edited by MSPcobber; Feb 23, 2015 at 7:48 am
Feb 23, 2015, 6:36 am
#216
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: 100,417
You can waitlist the RUC/GUC only for the longer or more I portent flights first. If/when that segment clears, you then ask to add the other segments for the upgrade, either to confirm or waitlist. For this, it helps to find agents who know what they're doing.
Feb 23, 2015, 7:38 am
#217
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
In the case where where the RUC does not clear, is the RUC "lost"? I called the Diamond line to "waitlist" my return flight in six days. She said if I don't clear the waitlist, I will lose that certificate. She said they just completed training and were told this fact. I cannot find any language in the "terms" that indicates the loss of the RUC if it does not clear. She also said this would also be true for a GUC.
Sorry, if this has been answered somewhere else, I did not find any other posts.
Sorry, if this has been answered somewhere else, I did not find any other posts.
Feb 23, 2015, 7:44 am
#218
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Programs: DL DM, Bonvoy LTT, HH Diam, UA Silver, USAF million miler ;)
Posts: 1,596
I waitlisted RUCs for a JFK-LAS roundtrip last September and was #1 on the list but did not clear as the cabin was sold out in First both ways. I was then able to apply those RUCs to a filght coming up this year instead (upgrade is confirmed, but haven't flown yet, so I suppose something could still go wrong). So that would suggest the agent is incorrect, unless something has changed since then.
Feb 23, 2015, 7:47 am
#219
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
That seems so customer-unfriendly, even by Delta standards, that I would have a hard time imagining that is true, though.
Feb 23, 2015, 8:55 am
#220
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ATL
Programs: DL: 2MM/DM Marriott: LT Platinum
Posts: 249
I wish DL would just do this automatically. I have a flight tomorrow and I am #2 of 3 on the Comp Upgrade list. I called DL and was told that I can use my RU now, I can confirm the upgrade. However, I would rather 'waitlist' my RU and have them use it only if I don't get the Comp upgrade. I don't think this is an unreasonable ask, but doubt if DL would implement this.
Feb 23, 2015, 9:04 am
#221
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: CA
Programs: DL DM, AA Gold
Posts: 223
I have missed the upgrade twice using a RUC while wait listed. Both times the certificate showed closed on my account but the CS agent I spoke to said that she could still see them as open and that it takes a few days before their status to be updated on the website, they are still available for use though.
Unless DL has recently established yet another clandestine policy the certificates are not lost in the event that the upgrade is not successful.
Unless DL has recently established yet another clandestine policy the certificates are not lost in the event that the upgrade is not successful.
Feb 23, 2015, 10:24 am
#222
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
I have missed the upgrade twice using a RUC while wait listed. Both times the certificate showed closed on my account but the CS agent I spoke to said that she could still see them as open and that it takes a few days before their status to be updated on the website, they are still available for use though.
Unless DL has recently established yet another clandestine policy the certificates are not lost in the event that the upgrade is not successful.
Unless DL has recently established yet another clandestine policy the certificates are not lost in the event that the upgrade is not successful.
Feb 23, 2015, 10:31 am
#223
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: 100,417
I can't imagine losing RUCs/GUCs when no segment clears. However, it might take a phone call and possibly a supervisor to restore them. IMO it would be wise to call shortly after the failed upgrade, so that you don't risk having the numbers disappear.
Feb 23, 2015, 11:47 am
#224
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 wish DL would just do this automatically. I have a flight tomorrow and I am #2 of 3 on the Comp Upgrade list. I called DL and was told that I can use my RU now, I can confirm the upgrade. However, I would rather 'waitlist' my RU and have them use it only if I don't get the Comp upgrade. I don't think this is an unreasonable ask, but doubt if DL would implement this.
Feb 23, 2015, 11:49 am
#225
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
A GUC that failed to clear yesterday is still in my wallet.