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Using Regional Upgrades on Delta (pre 2/1/2022)

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Old Oct 15, 2016, 9:00 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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
  • 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.


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Using Regional Upgrades on Delta (pre 2/1/2022)

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Old Feb 23, 2015, 8:07 pm
  #226  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Posts: 249
Originally Posted by sethb
Why should they? And what if there are 2 seats, and #3 asks to use a RUC at the last minute?
In this case, if atleast one of #1 and #2 did not 'waitlist' their RUC (like I am suggesting), then #3 gets upgraded. If both #1 and #2 had their RUC 'wait listed', they both get confirmed using RUC (not complimentary upgrade).
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Old Feb 23, 2015, 11:46 pm
  #227  
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Originally Posted by shukar
In this case, if atleast one of #1 and #2 did not 'waitlist' their RUC (like I am suggesting), then #3 gets upgraded. If both #1 and #2 had their RUC 'wait listed', they both get confirmed using RUC (not complimentary upgrade).
Would you expect DL IT to implement this correctly? How about a bridge?
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Old Feb 24, 2015, 12:07 am
  #228  
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Especially since DL has an anti-incentive to implement it. (Though, since RUCs cost them nothing, not a big one.)

So: #1 has a waitlisted RUC. There's one seat available. If #2 (or later) attempts to use a RUC, then #1's RUC gets pulled; otherwise, #1's RUC doesn't. Either way, #1 gets upgraded. I don't see how that option benefits Delta compared with just pulling the RUC.
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Old Feb 25, 2015, 12:11 pm
  #229  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Treasure Coast of FL (MCO/MLB/PBI)
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 844
Originally Posted by Deemus7
I have seen this asked but not answered, so here goes...

Can you use the RUCs for you and a companion if you are booked on the same flight but separate PNRs? I assume yes because (IIRC) you can link PNRs for complimentary medallion upgrades, but just wanted to see if anyone has personal experience with this.

Thanks!
Originally Posted by bgriff
The T&Cs officially say no, but in practice it seems agents are able to do it anyway. Call and ask (without giving any indication that the T&Cs say otherwise, of course), and HUCA if necessary.
Originally Posted by Deemus7
Awesome, thanks. Just got off with the Platinum desk and they were able to add us to the waitlist. I now see "Upgrade Requested" online for both of our reservations. Fingers crossed!
Ok, need some more help. Flight is tomorrow and the RUC didn't clear in advance. Just checked in and I am #1 on the list. Wife checked in and is nowhere to be found on the list (despite "Upgrade Requested" still showing on her reservation). Called the PM line and was told by two different reps that RUCs for separate reservations only clear ahead of time and cannot be transferred to the airport standby list.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? I am guessing it's an issue with the coding of the RUCs but the "supervisor" with whom I spoke was totally incompetent and couldn't tell me anything about how the upgrade request was coded.
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Old Feb 25, 2015, 4:40 pm
  #230  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: CA
Programs: DL DM, AA Gold
Posts: 223
Originally Posted by Deemus7
Ok, need some more help. Flight is tomorrow and the RUC didn't clear in advance. Just checked in and I am #1 on the list. Wife checked in and is nowhere to be found on the list (despite "Upgrade Requested" still showing on her reservation). Called the PM line and was told by two different reps that RUCs for separate reservations only clear ahead of time and cannot be transferred to the airport standby list.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? I am guessing it's an issue with the coding of the RUCs but the "supervisor" with whom I spoke was totally incompetent and couldn't tell me anything about how the upgrade request was coded.
Sounds like you need to call again.
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Old Feb 25, 2015, 7:12 pm
  #231  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Treasure Coast of FL (MCO/MLB/PBI)
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 844
Originally Posted by burbanite
Sounds like you need to call again.
Thanks burbanite. Called back and got another rep that seemed incompetent at first but then went through each step of the RUC process and VOILA! Both of us confirmed into first right away.

The most interesting part is that he put us in two seats that were previously shown as occupied on the seat map, and the 3 open seats are still open. Goes to show you can never rely on the seat map!
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Old Feb 25, 2015, 8:18 pm
  #232  
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD/MDW
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Posts: 1,733
Warning

I was wait listed for RUC on my last trip back home. Was #1 for 0 seat from T-24 to boarding. First was full.
Today, I'm checking my "wallet" and noticed that the RUC was pulled, despite no upgrade, first full and paid/flown confirming T/T.
So I would advise to check the usuage of RUCs and GUCs in your skymiles accounts.
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Old Feb 26, 2015, 5:10 am
  #233  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
Originally Posted by vgb2001
I was wait listed for RUC on my last trip back home. Was #1 for 0 seat from T-24 to boarding. First was full.
Today, I'm checking my "wallet" and noticed that the RUC was pulled, despite no upgrade, first full and paid/flown confirming T/T.
So I would advise to check the usuage of RUCs and GUCs in your skymiles accounts.
By "pulled" do you mean it now shows "CLOSED" on the list? You need to call and get it re-OPENED.

Sad that DL IT cannot fix this...
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Old Feb 26, 2015, 7:21 am
  #234  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Atlanta & San Francisco
Programs: DL 2MM DM & My Wife is a DL 3MM DM
Posts: 2,784
A quick reading through this thread leaves me with the impression that these RUCs are a hassle to manage and use. It seems like they never (or rarely) work at the time of booking, and only do so at the least minute (if they do at all)--does that seem like the experience that most have? More specifically, would that be true on routes like between ATL and PHL or LGA or DCA--and on those routes where there is likely to be specific flights you want (not something at 23:00--or the like0?

Thanks for any insights provided.

Last edited by atl runner; Feb 26, 2015 at 7:34 am
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Old Feb 26, 2015, 9:49 am
  #235  
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: DL DM; SPG Gold
Posts: 1,733
Originally Posted by captiveguru
By "pulled" do you mean it now shows "CLOSED" on the list? You need to call and get it re-OPENED.

Sad that DL IT cannot fix this...
Yes, it was closed. I emailed DL yesterday, here their answer:

Thank you for contacting us.

In reviewing your account activity, I see that you were waitlisted for a
Regional upgrade on your recent flight from xxx to SAN, and that specific certificate (006xxxxxx) was slated to be
redeemed if you were able to be cleared from the waitlist. As you
recollected, it doesn't appear that the waitlist did clear - so I am not
sure why the certificate would show as used. I certainly understand your
confusion over what you are seeing on your account.

I have reached out to our SkyMiles Support desk for a review, and will
send you a response as soon as I have the result. If there is no valid
upgrade they can associate with the certificate, they typically do
re-open the same certificate (rather than issuing a new, replacement
certificate). I truly regret any additional inconvenience and appreciate
your patience while I work on this for you.

Thank you again for giving us an opportunity to respond to your inquiry.
We very much appreciate your Diamond Medallion loyalty to Delta and look
forward to the privilege of serving you again soon.
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Old Feb 26, 2015, 12:01 pm
  #236  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: LAX
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Posts: 968
Originally Posted by atl runner
A quick reading through this thread leaves me with the impression that these RUCs are a hassle to manage and use. It seems like they never (or rarely) work at the time of booking, and only do so at the least minute (if they do at all)--does that seem like the experience that most have? More specifically, would that be true on routes like between ATL and PHL or LGA or DCA--and on those routes where there is likely to be specific flights you want (not something at 23:00--or the like0?

Thanks for any insights provided.
My experience has been that they work fine if it is available at booking, but not so much if waitlisted. I have a trip next week that was waitlisted for months, no comp ug clearing at the window which seems to be SOP right now, so I called today and they said I had cleared the RUC but it wasn't processed. It doesn't appear to be automatic for everyone or all the time, but she did process it and I'm now confirmed. I doubt that I would have cleared a comp ug on this route anyway, on a Monday, LAX-RDU, so it was a good value to me to use the RUC for 5 hr flight. I cleared the return at booking.
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Old Feb 26, 2015, 12:08 pm
  #237  
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Originally Posted by atl runner
A quick reading through this thread leaves me with the impression that these RUCs are a hassle to manage and use. It seems like they never (or rarely) work at the time of booking, and only do so at the least minute (if they do at all)--does that seem like the experience that most have? More specifically, would that be true on routes like between ATL and PHL or LGA or DCA--and on those routes where there is likely to be specific flights you want (not something at 23:00--or the like0?

Thanks for any insights provided.
In my experience it is hard to use RUCs in advance on longer routes but it is often fairly easy on short routes. (For example when I investigated connecting routes between NY and SFO, since the nonstop is not RUC-eligible, the agent found lots of options where NY-ATL was available but ATL-SFO was not, SLC-SFO was available but NY-SFO was not, etc.)

That said, it would not necessarily be every flight on short routes that was available, but I think availability is usually pretty good on most. Question is just whether it is worthwhile to you to use an RUC on such a short route.
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Old Feb 26, 2015, 12:51 pm
  #238  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Atlanta & San Francisco
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Posts: 2,784
Originally Posted by bgriff
In my experience it is hard to use RUCs in advance on longer routes but it is often fairly easy on short routes. (For example when I investigated connecting routes between NY and SFO, since the nonstop is not RUC-eligible, the agent found lots of options where NY-ATL was available but ATL-SFO was not, SLC-SFO was available but NY-SFO was not, etc.)

That said, it would not necessarily be every flight on short routes that was available, but I think availability is usually pretty good on most. Question is just whether it is worthwhile to you to use an RUC on such a short route.

Originally Posted by JBJ2435
My experience has been that they work fine if it is available at booking, but not so much if waitlisted. I have a trip next week that was waitlisted for months, no comp ug clearing at the window which seems to be SOP right now, so I called today and they said I had cleared the RUC but it wasn't processed. It doesn't appear to be automatic for everyone or all the time, but she did process it and I'm now confirmed. I doubt that I would have cleared a comp ug on this route anyway, on a Monday, LAX-RDU, so it was a good value to me to use the RUC for 5 hr flight. I cleared the return at booking.
We never would use the SWUs for international travel unless they were available at the time of the booking. The whole waitlist thing seems like a crap shoot and hassle, and we just buy FC or BE if we want to be in the front of the bus--which we do for international or transcons.

Of course, with those, you were paying a hefty price even to be eligible, and it would have really been a drag to pay that amount and to still potentially end up in coach.

With these, you wouldn't be paying that premium, but the issue still remains about where you are willing to sit for the flight.

That's why we would use them for shorter flights like ATL to PHL--which my wife flies regularly.

The real question is are four of those worth more than just taking the 20,000 miles and not worrying about the hassle of using them? I'm inclined to take the 20k miles--even though I have a bunch already.

With the Diamond choice benefits, we definitely both will take the global certificates, and my wife has already used a set to great effect on some travel to/from AMS last month.
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Old Feb 26, 2015, 1:11 pm
  #239  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: HKY
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Posts: 4,468
Originally Posted by vgb2001
Yes, it was closed. I emailed DL yesterday, here their answer:

Thank you for contacting us.

In reviewing your account activity, I see that you were waitlisted for a
Regional upgrade on your recent flight from xxx to SAN, and that specific certificate (006xxxxxx) was slated to be
redeemed if you were able to be cleared from the waitlist. As you
recollected, it doesn't appear that the waitlist did clear - so I am not
sure why the certificate would show as used. I certainly understand your
confusion over what you are seeing on your account.

I have reached out to our SkyMiles Support desk for a review, and will
send you a response as soon as I have the result. If there is no valid
upgrade they can associate with the certificate, they typically do
re-open the same certificate (rather than issuing a new, replacement
certificate). I truly regret any additional inconvenience and appreciate
your patience while I work on this for you.

Thank you again for giving us an opportunity to respond to your inquiry.
We very much appreciate your Diamond Medallion loyalty to Delta and look
forward to the privilege of serving you again soon.
This is a known issue to Delta IT and the diamond desk.....if you wait list AND DO NOT clear, the certificate is pulled and closed. They will verify and reopen the certificate. Has happened to me twice and fixed both times. It has been this way for at least two months.

Theresa Wise needs to be fired.....
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Old Feb 26, 2015, 7:21 pm
  #240  
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Originally Posted by vgb2001
I was wait listed for RUC on my last trip back home. Was #1 for 0 seat from T-24 to boarding. First was full.
Today, I'm checking my "wallet" and noticed that the RUC was pulled, despite no upgrade, first full and paid/flown confirming T/T.
So I would advise to check the usuage of RUCs and GUCs in your skymiles accounts.
Where are you still seeing paid/flown information?
gooselee is offline  


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