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)
Nov 3, 2016, 2:26 pm
#646
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,105
Did you ask for a Performance Leader, or for the lounge agent to correct her error?
Unless RP space was available, no one should have cleared until the gate. That is the whole purpose of having a numbered and ordered upgrade list.
Who knows if that person was above you and if they should have cleared at that time. Moreover, why weren't you cleared using the same rationale the DM was given?
I would have attempted to escalate it and secure my upgrade if I in fact would have been ahead of the other passenger at the gate. Sometimes you have to fight to clear an RUC...but you can keep it civil and calm and still accomplish clearing an RUC.
Unless RP space was available, no one should have cleared until the gate. That is the whole purpose of having a numbered and ordered upgrade list.
Who knows if that person was above you and if they should have cleared at that time. Moreover, why weren't you cleared using the same rationale the DM was given?
I would have attempted to escalate it and secure my upgrade if I in fact would have been ahead of the other passenger at the gate. Sometimes you have to fight to clear an RUC...but you can keep it civil and calm and still accomplish clearing an RUC.
Nov 7, 2016, 4:51 am
#647
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Delta, aa, united silver
Posts: 64
SDC once RUC clears?
I have inquired on SDC once confirmed in first using RUC and have been told no - that upg space has to be available on the flight Have others been able to do SDC in F when upgraded with RUC on different flight?
Thanks
Thanks
Nov 7, 2016, 5:30 am
#648
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
You've been told wrong/lied to. A ticket issued in RP/OP is treated as a revenue ticket for SDC purposes. As long as a seat is available in the premium cabin, it's your's. You just have to keep calling, or press the agent hard.
Nov 7, 2016, 6:30 am
#649
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
Never even heard of Performance Leaders - who are they? Lounge agent said that the reason the DM with the RUC she cleared made it through was because his ticket was more expensive. Not sure what I was supposed to do - the upgrade had cleared and it was an hour before my flight. There was no way the lounge agent was going to bump the other medallion out of first, and the phone line said that the lounge agent was wrong, but didn't offer to make any changes.
If there is conflict on who should have cleared (sounds like the agent in the lounge was trying to cover her rear end given with the DM desk said) it definitely is a case to escalate. The rules should be followed and if there seems to have been an error, you could ask someone in a position of authority to do some fact finding and then take reasonable actions from there.
Nov 7, 2016, 6:31 am
#650
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
Not sure what that means functionally but it all worked out for me.
Nov 7, 2016, 12:33 pm
#651
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've gotten all sorts of stories with SDC. Mileage/RUC require new upgrade space, SDC doesn't allow routing changes, can't change number of connections, can't go from nonstop to connection, you need sane fare class when on outright F ticket, etc. I think everything but God says you can't.
Nov 7, 2016, 1:28 pm
#652
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I've gotten all sorts of stories with SDC. Mileage/RUC require new upgrade space, SDC doesn't allow routing changes, can't change number of connections, can't go from nonstop to connection, you need sane fare class when on outright F ticket, etc. I think everything but God says you can't.
OTOH, had a really good agent one time working with me and her narrative went something like this:
Ok, Mr. Lee, I've got you a seat on flight 1234 at 6pm, let's see if the computer will give you your new ticket...oh it's saying it doesn't want to. Well, little computer, *I* want to...dum dee doo...Hmm, let me try something else. <typetypetype> Ok, and let's try that. And it's thinking...and it's thinking...let's say a prayer together to baby Jesus....HALLELUJAH it worked. You're all set - I'll send a new itinerary to your gmail account. Need any car or hotel bookings? Of course you don't, you're headed home for the weekend. Have a nice day!
^
Nov 7, 2016, 6:18 pm
#653
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
I've gotten similar pushback just on C+ fares.
OTOH, had a really good agent one time working with me and her narrative went something like this:
Ok, Mr. Lee, I've got you a seat on flight 1234 at 6pm, let's see if the computer will give you your new ticket...oh it's saying it doesn't want to. Well, little computer, *I* want to...dum dee doo...Hmm, let me try something else. <typetypetype> Ok, and let's try that. And it's thinking...and it's thinking...let's say a prayer together to baby Jesus....HALLELUJAH it worked. You're all set - I'll send a new itinerary to your gmail account. Need any car or hotel bookings? Of course you don't, you're headed home for the weekend. Have a nice day!
^
OTOH, had a really good agent one time working with me and her narrative went something like this:
Ok, Mr. Lee, I've got you a seat on flight 1234 at 6pm, let's see if the computer will give you your new ticket...oh it's saying it doesn't want to. Well, little computer, *I* want to...dum dee doo...Hmm, let me try something else. <typetypetype> Ok, and let's try that. And it's thinking...and it's thinking...let's say a prayer together to baby Jesus....HALLELUJAH it worked. You're all set - I'll send a new itinerary to your gmail account. Need any car or hotel bookings? Of course you don't, you're headed home for the weekend. Have a nice day!
^
Nov 7, 2016, 6:28 pm
#654
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: DL PM 2 Mil Miler, HZ PC, Marriott LT TI, AMB, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 556
All 4 of my RUCs will expire at the end of November. I have not been able to use one this year and I have already made Platinum for next year as of a month ago. I call and apply them to most flights longer than an hour and none clear. What am I doing wrong?
I have not got upgraded once this year even by just being on the platinum upgrade list.
I have not got upgraded once this year even by just being on the platinum upgrade list.
.
Nov 8, 2016, 5:36 am
#655
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
Just used my last RUC. On a shorter one-stop itinerary, but that's better than letting it expire.
Thanks to one of my certs mysteriously opening back up, I effectively had five RUCs this year.
Thanks to one of my certs mysteriously opening back up, I effectively had five RUCs this year.
Nov 11, 2016, 10:09 am
#656
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Just requested my 2016 RUCs in anticipation of making some bookings later this afternoon. Still hate that they're such a PITA, but if I can get even just two of them to clear on 3+ hour flights, that makes them more valuable to me than any of the other options.
But, I went online to select them and was surprised to see them in My Wallet on DL.com within maybe 20 minutes. Seems like last year this took almost a full day.
Probably YMMV, but just in case anyone else was curious or trying to delay getting them as much as possible.
But, I went online to select them and was surprised to see them in My Wallet on DL.com within maybe 20 minutes. Seems like last year this took almost a full day.
Probably YMMV, but just in case anyone else was curious or trying to delay getting them as much as possible.
Nov 11, 2016, 10:52 am
#657
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
Just requested my 2016 RUCs in anticipation of making some bookings later this afternoon. Still hate that they're such a PITA, but if I can get even just two of them to clear on 3+ hour flights, that makes them more valuable to me than any of the other options.
But, I went online to select them and was surprised to see them in My Wallet on DL.com within maybe 20 minutes. Seems like last year this took almost a full day.
Probably YMMV, but just in case anyone else was curious or trying to delay getting them as much as possible.
But, I went online to select them and was surprised to see them in My Wallet on DL.com within maybe 20 minutes. Seems like last year this took almost a full day.
Probably YMMV, but just in case anyone else was curious or trying to delay getting them as much as possible.
Nov 11, 2016, 10:58 am
#658
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I think the agents have to open a new screen or something to copy/paste the cert #s. I've had problem #1 pretty consistently, where they ask for the number, I tell them I don't have it (usually because I'm standing in an airport or an office hallway or something), and then they grumble and 5 seconds later say something like, "Oh, here they are..."
Nov 11, 2016, 2:30 pm
#659
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
Nov 11, 2016, 4:33 pm
#660
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Back in September in a similar situation an agent told me they show up sooner for us than in whatever system they use to view them. Seems weird, but shrug. Luckily that agent was willing for me give the # though.
Booked my tickets at just before 5pm and immediately called to apply RUCs. Agent had no problem finding them (and of course confirming no that RP is a magical unicorn and placing me on the waitlist).
Good news is I have "Upgrade Requested" and double seat maps, so it looks like she did everything correctly.