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 22, 2016, 11:13 am
#616
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Normally MHT. Was TPE Now DOH
Programs: QMiles,Delta, United, Miles & More, AA, Avis, Hertz, National, SPG, Le Club Accorhotels
Posts: 133
I was on BOS - ATL 2 weeks ago. I was 5 for 3 (Plat + AMEX res) I went online chose my RUC certs then called the Plat line...
5 min later I was 1 for 2 and there was swearing involved from someone at the counter.
I felt bad sniping the seat.. right up until my PDB..... I guess I have been lucky that Delta IT hasn't screwed me yet. Is their twitter support REALLY that much better than calling the elite lines?
5 min later I was 1 for 2 and there was swearing involved from someone at the counter.
I felt bad sniping the seat.. right up until my PDB..... I guess I have been lucky that Delta IT hasn't screwed me yet. Is their twitter support REALLY that much better than calling the elite lines?
Oct 22, 2016, 1:45 pm
#617
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Madison, WI (MSN)
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hilton & Marriott Plastic Gold, Chick-fil-A Signature
Posts: 441
I was unsuccessful today. A couple weeks ago I had the twitter team apply the RUC by citing the specific certificate number and flight. I watched the seats available drop one by one the week leading up (probably should have called but assumed people were buying it because coach was nearly full and I had the "phantom" seat map). At checkin time I was not on the upgrade list at all, and when I called in they had to fix it as it was not properly applied. That got me to #1 but at boarding time it was 1/0 and I'm now in my original seat in coach.
I really wish Delta could get their act together with their agents not correctly applying these.
I really wish Delta could get their act together with their agents not correctly applying these.
Oct 23, 2016, 9:06 am
#618
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
I have one future trip where I was not able to confirm the FC seat on one segment on the return. Second segment on return was confirmed in FC.
Website indicates:Upgrade Status: Upgrade Waitlisted
Should that provide enough confidence that the coupon was properly reflected in the system for the first segment?
Website indicates:Upgrade Status: Upgrade Waitlisted
Should that provide enough confidence that the coupon was properly reflected in the system for the first segment?
Oct 23, 2016, 9:17 am
#619
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
I have one future trip where I was not able to confirm the FC seat on one segment on the return. Second segment on return was confirmed in FC.
Website indicates:Upgrade Status: Upgrade Waitlisted
Should that provide enough confidence that the coupon was properly reflected in the system for the first segment?
Website indicates:Upgrade Status: Upgrade Waitlisted
Should that provide enough confidence that the coupon was properly reflected in the system for the first segment?
Oct 23, 2016, 11:50 am
#620
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: 27,052
I have one future trip where I was not able to confirm the FC seat on one segment on the return. Second segment on return was confirmed in FC.
Website indicates:Upgrade Status: Upgrade Waitlisted
Should that provide enough confidence that the coupon was properly reflected in the system for the first segment?
Website indicates:Upgrade Status: Upgrade Waitlisted
Should that provide enough confidence that the coupon was properly reflected in the system for the first segment?
Oct 23, 2016, 12:04 pm
#621
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,947
e.g. if one segment cleared at booking and you were waitlisted for the 2nd one, or if you had a GUC that cleared an international segment and then extended to other segments, then there might be the possibility the waitlisted segment isn't correctly coded.
I have an itinerary in the latter situation, SFO-DTW-NRT-SIN where I waitlisted both DTW-NRT and NRT-SIN at booking. Since then NRT-SIN has already cleared, DTW-NRT waitlisted, and extended to SFO-DTW.
So as you suggested I'm pretty confident DTW-NRT is coded correctly, but less sure about SFO-DTW. Both waitlisted segments say "Upgrade Waitlisted" but only DTW-NRT shows the ghost map. Guess I won't know for sure unless SFO-DTW clears outside the window or I show up first on the upgrade list (the cabin was wide open for a while and now only 1 assigned on the map)
Oct 24, 2016, 1:29 pm
#622
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...tificates.html
"Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates cannot be applied towards Award Travel or tickets booked in Basic Economy (E)."
"May be redeemed for the named Medallion member and up to one travel companion in the same reservation. The named member and the companion will each require a separate certificate."
"Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates cannot be applied towards Award Travel or tickets booked in Basic Economy (E)."
"May be redeemed for the named Medallion member and up to one travel companion in the same reservation. The named member and the companion will each require a separate certificate."
Oct 26, 2016, 12:04 pm
#623
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: DL, AS, Marriott, Hyatt, National
Posts: 863
Apologies if this was answered previously in this thread I could not find it. If you purchase a ticket with pay with miles are RUC permissible? I realize the T&C quoted above specifically state not valid for award travel, but was unsure if pay with miles are "award" travel. I checked my ticket receipt and the fare classes are listed as K and Q (used pay with miles for a portion of the ticket)
Oct 27, 2016, 12:32 am
#624
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
delete....
Last edited by Keyser; Oct 27, 2016 at 12:37 am Reason: found the answer i was looking for....
Oct 27, 2016, 8:56 am
#625
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Big Muddy Mile Marker 332
Programs: Delta-PM, HHonors-Diamond, Hyatt-Explorist, Hertz - Presidents
Posts: 335
I applied a RUC to the redeye I'm on tonight LAX>MSP and while I see an extra LAX>MSP with "Not Assigned" in the trip details, I'm still #14 on the list. Shouldn't I be #1?
Oct 27, 2016, 9:02 am
#626
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,947
You might not be #1 if other people are using RUCs (seems unlikely but not impossible) but #14 definitely feels low. I'd call and make sure it's applied correctly.
Oct 27, 2016, 9:31 am
#627
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Big Muddy Mile Marker 332
Programs: Delta-PM, HHonors-Diamond, Hyatt-Explorist, Hertz - Presidents
Posts: 335
After 25 minutes on the phone with the Plat line they got it fixed and I'm #4. Looks like I'll be in the back of the buss for this redeye! lol
Oct 27, 2016, 12:11 pm
#628
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: home airport RSW
Programs: Delta Plat, Marriott Life Gold, ***Princess Status***
Posts: 875
If you see two people with the same last name, its probably a couple using RUC's on vacation travel.
Oct 27, 2016, 12:38 pm
#629
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Big Muddy Mile Marker 332
Programs: Delta-PM, HHonors-Diamond, Hyatt-Explorist, Hertz - Presidents
Posts: 335
If you RUC and you're still #3 or 4 as an FYI, you can ask and frequently you can get someone to tell you who's in front of you. When you call the DM/PM line say "are the people in front of me using RUC's?" 85% of the time the phone agent will actually tell you. Also, Ive asked the redcoat to tell me, "why is someone in front of me on the list? (in a super nice way)"
If you see two people with the same last name, its probably a couple using RUC's on vacation travel.
If you see two people with the same last name, its probably a couple using RUC's on vacation travel.
Oct 28, 2016, 9:11 am
#630
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM MM Marriott Plat Hertz PC
Posts: 225
Booked PDX/MSP/PDX 30 days out. Applied RUCs and return leg clears the wait list immediately. First leg finally cleared at the 5 day window. Glad to be able to use them as they were soon to expire.