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)
Aug 18, 2017, 6:04 am
#871
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
SFO-ATL for the mini-DO (psst, time to update your signature 
) was my first fail in 8 attempts -- the 7 successes were 1x ATL-SFO and 6 D1 TCONs.
I have it applied on another SFO-ATL segment in September but if that fails to clear I'll blow it on MSP-SFO because it expires 3 days later.
I'll still most likely pick them for 2018 but my travel patterns are different than yours...
) was my first fail in 8 attempts -- the 7 successes were 1x ATL-SFO and 6 D1 TCONs.I have it applied on another SFO-ATL segment in September but if that fails to clear I'll blow it on MSP-SFO because it expires 3 days later.
I'll still most likely pick them for 2018 but my travel patterns are different than yours...
Yeah, with most of my trips this year being for work and thus on the business traveler days, it makes it tougher. Probably also just a spat of bad luck
. I guess we'll see how I'm feeling about it come December/January. It always just leaves a bad taste when something like that goes to waste.
Aug 18, 2017, 12:37 pm
#872
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott/SPG Ambassador, Delta Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 215
I promise I tried searching this thread as well as the Delta website and a google search and I'm still a touch confused about one thing.
If I book JFK-LAX-HNL and want to apply RUCs, assuming everything clears at some point, will I be docked one RUC for the one-way fare, or two because it is two segments?
Sorry for the newbie question.
If I book JFK-LAX-HNL and want to apply RUCs, assuming everything clears at some point, will I be docked one RUC for the one-way fare, or two because it is two segments?
Sorry for the newbie question.
Aug 18, 2017, 12:52 pm
#873
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I promise I tried searching this thread as well as the Delta website and a google search and I'm still a touch confused about one thing.
If I book JFK-LAX-HNL and want to apply RUCs, assuming everything clears at some point, will I be docked one RUC for the one-way fare, or two because it is two segments?
Sorry for the newbie question.
If I book JFK-LAX-HNL and want to apply RUCs, assuming everything clears at some point, will I be docked one RUC for the one-way fare, or two because it is two segments?
Sorry for the newbie question.
Aug 18, 2017, 12:54 pm
#874
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott/SPG Ambassador, Delta Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 215
Aug 18, 2017, 1:27 pm
#875
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,324
I promise I tried searching this thread as well as the Delta website and a google search and I'm still a touch confused about one thing.
If I book JFK-LAX-HNL and want to apply RUCs, assuming everything clears at some point, will I be docked one RUC for the one-way fare, or two because it is two segments?
Sorry for the newbie question.
If I book JFK-LAX-HNL and want to apply RUCs, assuming everything clears at some point, will I be docked one RUC for the one-way fare, or two because it is two segments?
Sorry for the newbie question.
Aug 18, 2017, 1:47 pm
#876
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott/SPG Ambassador, Delta Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 215
Aug 18, 2017, 4:41 pm
#877
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
Aug 18, 2017, 6:41 pm
#878
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: San Francisco, Ca
Programs: DL DM; Hilton Gold; Hertz President circle
Posts: 111
I didn't read too far upthread, so please don't skewer me if this was already discussed...
A few weeks ago, I waitlisted SFO - BOS for later this month using an RUC. Saw the double seat map for a few weeks with D1 entirely blocked out on both seat maps. Checked this morning and the first seat map said that my seat could not be assigned (though I still had my original C+ seat) and the second seat map showed 9 available seats in D1 (it was previously all blocked out), though I couldn't select any seats. Sent @Delta a DM on Twitter and the very helpful agent confirmed the upgrade and put me in 1C.
Long and short: if the second seat map shows available (not blacked out) seats, it's worth checking with an agent to see if the upgrade cleared but just wasn't processed yet.
A few weeks ago, I waitlisted SFO - BOS for later this month using an RUC. Saw the double seat map for a few weeks with D1 entirely blocked out on both seat maps. Checked this morning and the first seat map said that my seat could not be assigned (though I still had my original C+ seat) and the second seat map showed 9 available seats in D1 (it was previously all blocked out), though I couldn't select any seats. Sent @Delta a DM on Twitter and the very helpful agent confirmed the upgrade and put me in 1C.
Long and short: if the second seat map shows available (not blacked out) seats, it's worth checking with an agent to see if the upgrade cleared but just wasn't processed yet.
Aug 18, 2017, 7:07 pm
#879
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I read this and pulled up Delta.com to check on a late September flight to SPN. Two of my segments were missing from the trip, so I rang up the diamond desk. They had no explanation why, but while on the line the agent informed me that my global upgrade certificate for two segments (one of the two segments that was missing) had cleared. Weird.
Aug 18, 2017, 7:29 pm
#880
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northern California
Programs: DL DM Charter, 2.9MM; 2019 PM and falling; Kettle everywhere else
Posts: 243
This exact thing happened to me a couple of hours ago for my transcon next week. A phone call to the DM line resolved it when the agent was able to clear me immediately.
Aug 19, 2017, 4:28 am
#881
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,789
JFK-LAX is true D1 service on a lie flat, and if you time it right you can get one of the two daily flights with lie flats (domestic F service with a few extras like Mai Tais) on LAX-HNL. The morning LAX-HNL flight on the international 767 was pretty easy to find RUC space on, but I don't know if you can find an appropriately timed JFK-LAX flight to make that connection.
Aug 19, 2017, 6:10 am
#882
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
JFK-LAX is true D1 service on a lie flat, and if you time it right you can get one of the two daily flights with lie flats (domestic F service with a few extras like Mai Tais) on LAX-HNL. The morning LAX-HNL flight on the international 767 was pretty easy to find RUC space on, but I don't know if you can find an appropriately timed JFK-LAX flight to make that connection.
Aug 19, 2017, 7:55 am
#883
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
For the fifth time this year I called to SDC on a paid F (A) fare and the phone agent said not possible since my fare class is not available.
Aug 24, 2017, 5:20 pm
#884
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: DL, AS, Marriott, Hyatt, National
Posts: 863
I didn't read too far upthread, so please don't skewer me if this was already discussed...
A few weeks ago, I waitlisted SFO - BOS for later this month using an RUC. Saw the double seat map for a few weeks with D1 entirely blocked out on both seat maps. Checked this morning and the first seat map said that my seat could not be assigned (though I still had my original C+ seat) and the second seat map showed 9 available seats in D1 (it was previously all blocked out), though I couldn't select any seats. Sent @Delta a DM on Twitter and the very helpful agent confirmed the upgrade and put me in 1C.
Long and short: if the second seat map shows available (not blacked out) seats, it's worth checking with an agent to see if the upgrade cleared but just wasn't processed yet.
A few weeks ago, I waitlisted SFO - BOS for later this month using an RUC. Saw the double seat map for a few weeks with D1 entirely blocked out on both seat maps. Checked this morning and the first seat map said that my seat could not be assigned (though I still had my original C+ seat) and the second seat map showed 9 available seats in D1 (it was previously all blocked out), though I couldn't select any seats. Sent @Delta a DM on Twitter and the very helpful agent confirmed the upgrade and put me in 1C.
Long and short: if the second seat map shows available (not blacked out) seats, it's worth checking with an agent to see if the upgrade cleared but just wasn't processed yet.
Aug 24, 2017, 6:47 pm
#885
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,033
So I searched the thread but couldn't find this, apologies if I missed it --
I might be flying LHR-JFK-SFO (as a single-itinerary connection, not with stopover/separate tickets) sometime later this year. I'd ideally like to use an RUC on JFK-SFO and just fly LHR-JFK in coach. Will DL charge me the UK APD if the RUC clears in advance?
I might be flying LHR-JFK-SFO (as a single-itinerary connection, not with stopover/separate tickets) sometime later this year. I'd ideally like to use an RUC on JFK-SFO and just fly LHR-JFK in coach. Will DL charge me the UK APD if the RUC clears in advance?