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)
Dec 6, 2017, 7:52 pm
#1006
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MKE
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 905
Can anyone confirm yet that the RUCs are clearing even without the 'phantom'/2nd seat map?
I think my RUCs are coded right, but still just see 'Upgrade Status:Upgraded Waitlisted' on the flights.
(Asking because 1) I care and 2) GUC about a month ago showed 2 seat maps.
Thx
I think my RUCs are coded right, but still just see 'Upgrade Status:Upgraded Waitlisted' on the flights.
(Asking because 1) I care and 2) GUC about a month ago showed 2 seat maps.
Thx
Dec 6, 2017, 8:43 pm
#1007
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
Looks like they are going by the book now with regards to the expiration date. I had two RUCs that cleared last year, but the flight was cancelled and I was rebooked on a nonstop TATL flight. Tried to use the same two RUCs to confirm two flights that had availability, but two weeks after the expiration date, and was unable to use them. HUCA, supervisor didn't work.
Not sure if this will be my choice benefit for next year.
Not sure if this will be my choice benefit for next year.
Dec 6, 2017, 9:07 pm
#1008
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
If it was RUCs used, then it was F domestic and Y TATL. They aren't going to upgrade a nonstop TATL flight just because there were RUCs cleared on a previous itinerary.
Dec 6, 2017, 11:46 pm
#1009
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
Can anyone confirm yet that the RUCs are clearing even without the 'phantom'/2nd seat map?
I think my RUCs are coded right, but still just see 'Upgrade Status:Upgraded Waitlisted' on the flights.
(Asking because 1) I care and 2) GUC about a month ago showed 2 seat maps.
Thx
I think my RUCs are coded right, but still just see 'Upgrade Status:Upgraded Waitlisted' on the flights.
(Asking because 1) I care and 2) GUC about a month ago showed 2 seat maps.
Thx
Dec 7, 2017, 3:05 pm
#1010
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
That is the point -- two days out lots of seats. By the time I check in (at H-24), number of seats reduced (people on earlier flight than mine could already have SDC'd) and they disappear steadily thereafter and by flight time have largely disappeared totally.
This pattern has happened consistently enough I just don't believe it is lots of last minute FC purchases.
This pattern has happened consistently enough I just don't believe it is lots of last minute FC purchases.
Dec 7, 2017, 3:23 pm
#1011
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,631
Dec 8, 2017, 7:49 am
#1012
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,789
Has anyone tried using RUCs on the flights that will become eligible on 1 April, namely MSP/ATL-HNL? I can't tell from the announcement whether 1 April is the first day they can be applied or the first flight date for which they're eligible. I haven't selected my 2017 PM choice yet, and I'm looking at a Fall 2018 trip to Hawaii. If I could confirm now using RUCs, I'd consider going ahead and booking rather than waiting until the end of Jan to select my Choice Benefit. I have NOT called Delta yet to ask because, frankly, I don't trust the CSRs to know, and I imagine if I called 5 times I'd get 5 different answers.
Dec 8, 2017, 7:50 am
#1013
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
Can anyone confirm yet that the RUCs are clearing even without the 'phantom'/2nd seat map?
I think my RUCs are coded right, but still just see 'Upgrade Status:Upgraded Waitlisted' on the flights.
(Asking because 1) I care and 2) GUC about a month ago showed 2 seat maps.
Thx
I think my RUCs are coded right, but still just see 'Upgrade Status:Upgraded Waitlisted' on the flights.
(Asking because 1) I care and 2) GUC about a month ago showed 2 seat maps.
Thx
Called back to check space. An agent said prior agent coded wrong; she walked me through all the notes required and said the previous agent used date of request instead of date of flight in one of her notes in the remarks, messing things up. She fixed it. I could not see a second seatmap, but I did see Upgrade Waitlisted on the segment.
Next morning I called just to check space again (did not login to see what happened to the segment online). Agent said I had cleared overnight and she cleared me on remaining segments and queued me for reticketing. The agent that corrected the waitlist request contacted Global Ticketing Support to "clean it up."
Dec 8, 2017, 8:50 am
#1014
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Lately it seems like automated emails saying a regional or global upgrade certificate has cleared have been slow to nonexistent. Many report only finding out their certificate cleared by calling into a telephone agent.
Dec 8, 2017, 9:01 am
#1015
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
2 days later, 1 seat opened up. Figured better to grab it then waitlist 2 of us. When I called to split and clear 1, waitlist another, the phone agent had a funny tone about suggesting I call back in a few hours to see if I clear. It seemed she was suggesting it would clear shortly, but I don't know how/why she said that.
I fell asleep at my hotel shortly after the call that night. After breakfast the next morning, I made a quick call just to see (the app still showed me in my main cabin seat, and as I said I did not check the website to see if the segment completely disappeared, as it has in the past when I've cleared a waitlisted RUC) and agent said I had cleared. Zero notification. I don't know what to trust - I just trust it when I finally see my segment(s) in OY, and subsequently reticketed.
Jan 13, 2018, 5:21 pm
#1016
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / JFK
Programs: Variety of rectangular cards with my name on it
Posts: 665
I have 2 RUCs expiring end of January. My next flight would be February. If there's space on the flight, is it possible to use these RUCs to have an upgrade confirmed? Seeing if anyone has had experience with getting an RUC applied on a flight post its expiration date.
Jan 13, 2018, 5:44 pm
#1017
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
I have 2 RUCs expiring end of January. My next flight would be February. If there's space on the flight, is it possible to use these RUCs to have an upgrade confirmed? Seeing if anyone has had experience with getting an RUC applied on a flight post its expiration date.
Jan 13, 2018, 6:50 pm
#1018
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / JFK
Programs: Variety of rectangular cards with my name on it
Posts: 665
It worked out for me. Had to call a few times 
Jan 14, 2018, 10:03 am
#1019
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 610
With waitlisting becoming the new norm... can you waitlist for multiple flights on the same RUC? They aren't actually used until it's re ticketed. For example:
I have a MSP-LAS waitlisted since August for a March flight. When I waitlisted, zero seats sold according to Diamond Desk. If these sit for 6 months in a "waitlist", can I try to apply them to another flight before that? Having them sit in limbo for 6 months isn't worth much to me. That's why I had some expire on me in Dec.
I have a MSP-LAS waitlisted since August for a March flight. When I waitlisted, zero seats sold according to Diamond Desk. If these sit for 6 months in a "waitlist", can I try to apply them to another flight before that? Having them sit in limbo for 6 months isn't worth much to me. That's why I had some expire on me in Dec.
Jan 14, 2018, 4:18 pm
#1020
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: DL DM MM, Hyatt LT Globalist, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,141
I've asked a few times and received a few different answers: one is that inventory is not being released until April 1st, the other that inventory could theoretically be available now for flights after 4/1 but none is. I checked a half dozen dates in the fall with no availability.
Has anyone tried using RUCs on the flights that will become eligible on 1 April, namely MSP/ATL-HNL? I can't tell from the announcement whether 1 April is the first day they can be applied or the first flight date for which they're eligible. I haven't selected my 2017 PM choice yet, and I'm looking at a Fall 2018 trip to Hawaii. If I could confirm now using RUCs, I'd consider going ahead and booking rather than waiting until the end of Jan to select my Choice Benefit. I have NOT called Delta yet to ask because, frankly, I don't trust the CSRs to know, and I imagine if I called 5 times I'd get 5 different answers.