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)
May 14, 2017, 9:06 pm
#766
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Previously top-tier everything, now a happy free agent
Posts: 1,003
Flying SEA-JFK tomorrow (Monday) and applied an RUC to waitlist right after ticketing (IIRC, almost ~3 months ago), on an INTL 767 bird.
F (or D1-lite) was completely empty when I booked, and now it's dwindled down to J1 (as EF says). I'm #2 for 2 seats so we'll see if it clears. I understand SEA-JFK on a Monday morning is probably a very elite-heavy route.
Funny thing is that I noticed at the DM/PM window, EF showed J9 going down to J4... So not sure if other DMs with RUCs cleared if RM released some OP/RP space at the window..
F (or D1-lite) was completely empty when I booked, and now it's dwindled down to J1 (as EF says). I'm #2 for 2 seats so we'll see if it clears. I understand SEA-JFK on a Monday morning is probably a very elite-heavy route.
Funny thing is that I noticed at the DM/PM window, EF showed J9 going down to J4... So not sure if other DMs with RUCs cleared if RM released some OP/RP space at the window..
Last edited by bj27; May 14, 2017 at 10:28 pm
May 14, 2017, 9:07 pm
#767
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: DL PM/MM, Hilton Silver, SPG+, Hertz PC
Posts: 7,899
There is no window for RUC/GUC, only for complimentary upgrades.
May 14, 2017, 10:29 pm
#768
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Previously top-tier everything, now a happy free agent
Posts: 1,003
Sorry -- I didn't word it very well.
My thought was perhaps RM release some OP/RP space and it happened to coincide with the PM/DM 5-day medallion upgrade window.
I know they're different things, just thought it was curious that J inventory got depleted so quickly at the window.
Then again, this is all hypothesis and someone could have bought tickets.
My thought was perhaps RM release some OP/RP space and it happened to coincide with the PM/DM 5-day medallion upgrade window.
I know they're different things, just thought it was curious that J inventory got depleted so quickly at the window.
Then again, this is all hypothesis and someone could have bought tickets.
May 15, 2017, 12:47 am
#769
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: 27,049
Flying SEA-JFK tomorrow (Monday) and applied an RUC to waitlist right after ticketing (IIRC, almost ~3 months ago), on an INTL 767 bird.
F (or D1-lite) was completely empty when I booked, and now it's dwindled down to J1 (as EF says). I'm #2 for 2 seats so we'll see if it clears. I understand SEA-JFK on a Monday morning is probably a very elite-heavy route.
Funny thing is that I noticed at the DM/PM window, EF showed J9 going down to J4... So not sure if other DMs with RUCs cleared if RM released some OP/RP space at the window..
F (or D1-lite) was completely empty when I booked, and now it's dwindled down to J1 (as EF says). I'm #2 for 2 seats so we'll see if it clears. I understand SEA-JFK on a Monday morning is probably a very elite-heavy route.
Funny thing is that I noticed at the DM/PM window, EF showed J9 going down to J4... So not sure if other DMs with RUCs cleared if RM released some OP/RP space at the window..
May 15, 2017, 9:00 am
#770
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
I learned a new thing about RUCs today.
I was on a JFK to SEA flight in a 767. Used a RUC to confirm about a month in advance. Excited.
Heard from the client on Friday afternoon that they needed to re-schedule, despite months of planning. No biggie, this stuff happens and I've already been booked for another flight that week anyway.
Was just told by the Delta Twitter team that because my cancellation is voluntary, and since my RUC already cleared, I will not receive my coupon back.
Sorry if this is old news to others on the board, but as an ardent Delta flyer and supporter, I was struck by what I view as an anti flyer friendly policy.
I was on a JFK to SEA flight in a 767. Used a RUC to confirm about a month in advance. Excited.
Heard from the client on Friday afternoon that they needed to re-schedule, despite months of planning. No biggie, this stuff happens and I've already been booked for another flight that week anyway.
Was just told by the Delta Twitter team that because my cancellation is voluntary, and since my RUC already cleared, I will not receive my coupon back.
Sorry if this is old news to others on the board, but as an ardent Delta flyer and supporter, I was struck by what I view as an anti flyer friendly policy.
May 15, 2017, 9:15 am
#771
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: DL PM/MM, Hilton Silver, SPG+, Hertz PC
Posts: 7,899
I learned a new thing about RUCs today.
I was on a JFK to SEA flight in a 767. Used a RUC to confirm about a month in advance. Excited.
Heard from the client on Friday afternoon that they needed to re-schedule, despite months of planning. No biggie, this stuff happens and I've already been booked for another flight that week anyway.
Was just told by the Delta Twitter team that because my cancellation is voluntary, and since my RUC already cleared, I will not receive my coupon back.
Sorry if this is old news to others on the board, but as an ardent Delta flyer and supporter, I was struck by what I view as an anti flyer friendly policy.
I was on a JFK to SEA flight in a 767. Used a RUC to confirm about a month in advance. Excited.
Heard from the client on Friday afternoon that they needed to re-schedule, despite months of planning. No biggie, this stuff happens and I've already been booked for another flight that week anyway.
Was just told by the Delta Twitter team that because my cancellation is voluntary, and since my RUC already cleared, I will not receive my coupon back.
Sorry if this is old news to others on the board, but as an ardent Delta flyer and supporter, I was struck by what I view as an anti flyer friendly policy.
May 15, 2017, 9:48 am
#772
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
Was just told by the Delta Twitter team that because my cancellation is voluntary, and since my RUC already cleared, I will not receive my coupon back.
Sorry if this is old news to others on the board, but as an ardent Delta flyer and supporter, I was struck by what I view as an anti flyer friendly policy.
Sorry if this is old news to others on the board, but as an ardent Delta flyer and supporter, I was struck by what I view as an anti flyer friendly policy.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/medallion-program/choice-benefits/systemwide-upgrade-certificates.html
It would be a fair policy only if a processed RUC were treated as an effectively higher class seat even when it is Delta who makes changes. But we know that in many instances, after cancellations and equipment changes, sitting up front is not guaranteed and, iirc, it even says so in the bylaws.
May 15, 2017, 10:12 am
#773
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
click "REGIONAL UPGRADE TERMS & CONDITIONS" and see #14 :
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/medallion-program/choice-benefits/systemwide-upgrade-certificates.html
Last year I had a reservation with a cleared RUC that had a schedule change below MCT. They were willing to work with me for flights within reason, but said if I wanted to go from redeye to first flight the morning of the same day (I think it was something like 13 hours earlier) at that point it'd be considered a voluntary change and I'd lose the cert. Don't know if HUCA would have changed anything but it sounded reasonable and DL has done me favors before so I didn't push it.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/medallion-program/choice-benefits/systemwide-upgrade-certificates.html
Last year I had a reservation with a cleared RUC that had a schedule change below MCT. They were willing to work with me for flights within reason, but said if I wanted to go from redeye to first flight the morning of the same day (I think it was something like 13 hours earlier) at that point it'd be considered a voluntary change and I'd lose the cert. Don't know if HUCA would have changed anything but it sounded reasonable and DL has done me favors before so I didn't push it.
May 15, 2017, 10:24 am
#774
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
click "REGIONAL UPGRADE TERMS & CONDITIONS" and see #14 :
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/medallion-program/choice-benefits/systemwide-upgrade-certificates.html
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/medallion-program/choice-benefits/systemwide-upgrade-certificates.html
May 15, 2017, 10:40 am
#775
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,648
I agree that it is pretty stupid that RUC cannot be reissued in the case of cancelations. This goes against the upgrade policy of UA, AS where you can cancel a ticket and redeposit a RUC/GUC equivalent with no questions asked. Not very often you can say that UA is ahead of DL in the policy department, so kudos to them.
May 15, 2017, 10:47 am
#776
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
May 15, 2017, 11:22 am
#777
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: 27,049
Yes. if you leave the ticket as an ecredit it then you can use the RUC/GUC on the new ticket. If it doesn't clear on new ticket you lose it.
If you ask for a refund you lose it. Just did this last week after a schedule change for an October flight. Left as credit to keep RUC.
If you ask for a refund you lose it. Just did this last week after a schedule change for an October flight. Left as credit to keep RUC.
May 15, 2017, 1:44 pm
#778
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Previously top-tier everything, now a happy free agent
Posts: 1,003
However, 3 people ended up clearing (upgrade list showed 2 seats available, EF showed J1), including myself. So happy to have made the cut.
I noticed the individual who cleared in front of me was a PM, though maybe he/she was using a GUC.
May 16, 2017, 4:18 am
#779
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
Searches aren’t getting me definitive answers. I have an SEA – JFK non-stop booked in June. I have an RUC available. I would like to SDC to SEA-LAX-JFK. The LAX-JFX is D1.
Based on the assumption that the RUC clears for my SEA-JFK before check-in, can I SDC to the SEA-LAX-JFK if there is a seat available in D1 for LAX-JFK?
Based on the assumption that the RUC clears for my SEA-JFK before check-in, can I SDC to the SEA-LAX-JFK if there is a seat available in D1 for LAX-JFK?
May 16, 2017, 5:21 am
#780
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: 27,049
Yes. Though this is the most common issue with use of SDC, a cleared UC.