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)
Apr 7, 2014, 8:03 pm
#61
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM, AA GE, CP ED
Posts: 256
Diamond line says it takes 24 hrs from choosing Choice Benefit until they are able to be used... Not so!
Under 1 hr. later mine were ready and able to be used. Success!
Under 1 hr. later mine were ready and able to be used. Success!
Apr 8, 2014, 7:41 am
#62
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
I'd curiously note that while I could see them when they were available, the DM rep could not, and I had to read the cert numbers to the rep in order to use them. Maybe it takes 24 hours until the reps can see them.
Apr 8, 2014, 2:00 pm
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
I've been told this by the DM reps as well (can take up to 24 hours), but I've found that they usually appear in about 10 min.
I'd curiously note that while I could see them when they were available, the DM rep could not, and I had to read the cert numbers to the rep in order to use them. Maybe it takes 24 hours until the reps can see them.
I'd curiously note that while I could see them when they were available, the DM rep could not, and I had to read the cert numbers to the rep in order to use them. Maybe it takes 24 hours until the reps can see them.
Question though... the agent told me that he could not conform my FC reservation until the coupons were available in my account.
I thought that I recalled this restriction not existing for SWUs... that you could get a confirmed FC reservation and call back later with the SWU numbers.
Apr 8, 2014, 2:06 pm
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
The removal of fare class class restrictions for RUCs is nice. Just UG'd a five-segment itinerary, all segments were L's, U's and X's.
Had been looking for K fares to use SWU's, and had scoped out some itineraries with fares higher than what I ended up paying, but there was no availability on the itineraries I was looking at.
So, I get UG'd at a lower cost.
I guess this makes some sort of sense to the DL bean counters.
Had been looking for K fares to use SWU's, and had scoped out some itineraries with fares higher than what I ended up paying, but there was no availability on the itineraries I was looking at.
So, I get UG'd at a lower cost.
I guess this makes some sort of sense to the DL bean counters.
Apr 9, 2014, 8:44 am
#66
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
Apr 9, 2014, 8:28 pm
#67
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM, AA GE, CP ED
Posts: 256
I was surprised how easy it was vs. the whole "no, you need to wait 24 hrs" bit.
Good luck.
Apr 9, 2014, 8:51 pm
#68
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: AGS
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 581
I used all four of my PM RUCs today within 30 minutes of selecting them as my PM Choice Benefit. They appeared in my “wallet” in about 15 minutes, then I called the DM line. DM agent was able to see them and apply them immediately to the available UG. Paid fare was V. I did not even have to read off the numbers to her.
Apr 10, 2014, 7:14 am
#69
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
I should clarify, they need the certs, but you can read them to them and that would suffice. However, someone mentioned that in the past, they were able to make reservations using SWUs that were not yet in the account. I've never done that, but in regards to the new global upgrades, was told that they would not confirm or reserve available award space until the cert numbers were available.
Apr 10, 2014, 5:51 pm
#70
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Priority Club Plat, Club Carlson Gold, Hertz
Posts: 72
The DM line doesn't seem capable of entering RU cert usage correctly when being put on the waitlist. I tried again this week and once again when I got to the gate, I was coded as UP (comp) instead of UP2A (RU). I even called back the day before departure to check and see and was told that "everything looks correct" by the DM line.
Time to complain to DL. It shouldn't be this dang difficult to use one of these certs.
Time to complain to DL. It shouldn't be this dang difficult to use one of these certs.
Apr 10, 2014, 8:26 pm
#71
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM, AA GE, CP ED
Posts: 256
Watch the waitlist!
So I was wait listed for one leg that had no availability when I applied the upgrades. I checked EF a bit ago and there was 1 R available!
Called diamond line and it took them 10 minutes to force it to clear.
All is well that ends well, but it is definitely worth keeping an eye out until they fix any bugs in the system.
Called diamond line and it took them 10 minutes to force it to clear.
All is well that ends well, but it is definitely worth keeping an eye out until they fix any bugs in the system.
Apr 22, 2014, 9:01 am
#72
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: Delta Gold
Posts: 182
Wait list closed?
I tweeted Delta Assist 24 hours prior to ATL to SAN flight and asked to use RUC. "No inventory" so I asked to be placed on wait list - "Sorry, wait list closed" . I ask when does the wait list close - "No set time" was the answer.
Is their a max number of people who can be on the RUC wait list? Never heard of a wait list closing before.
Is their a max number of people who can be on the RUC wait list? Never heard of a wait list closing before.
May 10, 2014, 10:24 am
#73
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: MSN
Programs: DL DM & 1MM, HH Diamond, Amtrak Select
Posts: 27
He was saying that the RUC gets used up if even one segment is upgraded. He only wanted to use the cert if he could get an upgrade on his longer segment, but if you apply it to two segments and the short segment upgrades, the cert is used even if the long segment doesn't clear. In that case it is basically a waste of a cert.
May 10, 2014, 10:51 am
#74
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: DL DM; SPG Gold
Posts: 1,733
The DM line doesn't seem capable of entering RU cert usage correctly when being put on the waitlist. I tried again this week and once again when I got to the gate, I was coded as UP (comp) instead of UP2A (RU). I even called back the day before departure to check and see and was told that "everything looks correct" by the DM line.
Time to complain to DL. It shouldn't be this dang difficult to use one of these certs.
Time to complain to DL. It shouldn't be this dang difficult to use one of these certs.
I have not used a RUC yet. But for the GUC, for the segment where I am wait listed, I can see in my itinerary online "systemwide upgrade request". This makes me feel confident that that the upgrade request is coded properly. Is there something similar for the RUC?
May 10, 2014, 11:52 am
#75
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SAT
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold (LT), Nat EL Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 625
I'm also wondering what routes these are best on....
I have two red eye flights in the next 10 days. The first one LAX-ATL on Monday night I'm not even in a EC seat as the only two avail are middle non-exit, and there's 10 seats up front unassigned (no upgrade inventory open) (on a 767).
The second one is outside the window (SAN-DTW on the following Tuesday) but every seat up front is unassigned in that one 757). I'm in an EC exit in this one so my read is that I may clear for the comp UG.
I've not chosen my choice benefit yet, and if I'm unlikely to clear with the RUC (or won't need it to clear) I'd rather save the choice benefit for later use...
Any wisdom available from people familiar with these routes?
Sitting in coach for a flight of this length when I need to arrive and work in the morning is not a great concept, and this prioritizes the upgrade over other considerations in this case....
(BTW, I understand 'WFBF', but I'm not crying about missing an upgrade, I'm asking about experiences from flyers in the past so I would appreciate no flaming and genuine input if possible (though I realize this IS the Delta forum)... )
I have two red eye flights in the next 10 days. The first one LAX-ATL on Monday night I'm not even in a EC seat as the only two avail are middle non-exit, and there's 10 seats up front unassigned (no upgrade inventory open) (on a 767).
The second one is outside the window (SAN-DTW on the following Tuesday) but every seat up front is unassigned in that one 757). I'm in an EC exit in this one so my read is that I may clear for the comp UG.
I've not chosen my choice benefit yet, and if I'm unlikely to clear with the RUC (or won't need it to clear) I'd rather save the choice benefit for later use...
Any wisdom available from people familiar with these routes?
Sitting in coach for a flight of this length when I need to arrive and work in the morning is not a great concept, and this prioritizes the upgrade over other considerations in this case....
(BTW, I understand 'WFBF', but I'm not crying about missing an upgrade, I'm asking about experiences from flyers in the past so I would appreciate no flaming and genuine input if possible (though I realize this IS the Delta forum)... )