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 20, 2018, 11:45 am
#1171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
The email I get has the waitlisted segments shown, but otherwise is no different than if I click the Email Itinerary button when looking at my PNR on DL.com (or, I assume, calling in and making no changes, but requesting that a copy of the itin be sent).
Aug 20, 2018, 12:06 pm
#1172
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 552
The only email you will get is if the RUC clears AND the ticket is reissued. Reissue does not happen immediately, and if the agent does not do whatever they do to cause a manual reissue to occur, it goes into a queue and could take weeks depending how far out the flight is.
If you are merely waitlisted then there is no email confirmation expected from that.
EDIT: on further reflection, I forgot that you often get an updated reservation email when waitlisted, but I don't think that always 100% happens.
If you are merely waitlisted then there is no email confirmation expected from that.
EDIT: on further reflection, I forgot that you often get an updated reservation email when waitlisted, but I don't think that always 100% happens.
Aug 20, 2018, 6:41 pm
#1173
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: 27,046
Where is this published/documented?
I had always thought fare class did seem to matter (and really, nobody actually knows due to no published rules and the opaque cert application process).
Anecdotally, I've certainly jumped other PMs when applying my RUC very close to departure. Had assumed this was due to a higher fare class. At best, it's inconsistent.
I had always thought fare class did seem to matter (and really, nobody actually knows due to no published rules and the opaque cert application process).
Anecdotally, I've certainly jumped other PMs when applying my RUC very close to departure. Had assumed this was due to a higher fare class. At best, it's inconsistent.
Aug 20, 2018, 7:06 pm
#1174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
9. Reservation Waitlist: If the upgrade is not available at the time of request, a SkyMiles Member and travel companion holding confirmed Main Cabin reservations on a flight may request to be placed on the upgrade waitlist. Passengers on waitlist will be accommodated according to Delta's priority rules, which Delta reserves the right to change at any time.
10. Airport Standby: If an upgrade for the SkyMiles Member and companion (if applicable) is not confirmed from the reservation waitlist at least three hours prior to departure, then the SkyMiles Member and companion may request to be placed on the Airport Standby List, provided that request is made no less than 60 minutes prior to flight departure. Passengers on the Airport Standby List will be accommodated according to Delta's priority rules, which Delta reserves the right to change at any time.
10. Airport Standby: If an upgrade for the SkyMiles Member and companion (if applicable) is not confirmed from the reservation waitlist at least three hours prior to departure, then the SkyMiles Member and companion may request to be placed on the Airport Standby List, provided that request is made no less than 60 minutes prior to flight departure. Passengers on the Airport Standby List will be accommodated according to Delta's priority rules, which Delta reserves the right to change at any time.
If you want to post a link and indicate the language you are referring to, I'd be happy to see it as I've not been able to find it before.
Aug 21, 2018, 3:50 am
#1175
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: 27,046
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...html/#waitlist
- If a seat becomes available in the cabin you are waitlisted for, upgrades will clear automatically based on Medallion Status. If multiple Members on the waitlist have the same Medallion Tier, upgrades will clear using the date and time each request was added to the waitlist.
Aug 21, 2018, 5:32 am
#1176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
- If your Upgrade Certificate doesn't clear before check-in, you will be added to the airport standby list. While Upgrade Certificates clear the airport standby list before Complimentary Upgrades, they do follow the same clearance hierarchy.
So, it seems that fare class may be ignored for pre-DOD waitlist, but then taken back into account for the airport upgrade lists.
Or maybe it's just DL being consistently inconsistent and vague.
Aug 21, 2018, 7:45 pm
#1177
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
Programs: Dividend Miles, WorldPerks
Posts: 1,302
So folks, what is the latest on using soon-to-expire RUC's on flights post-expiration as long as there is confirmable space today?
I swear I have done this before. I also swear it is a rather regular thing to do in these parts as long as the ticket gets reissued before RUC expiration.
I am trying to burn a few for Christmas travel on a flight with confirmable space. One HUCA got me upgraded...but the ticket was never reissued. A call last week got me downgraded when I asked to be reissued! Three more HUCA's since have simply read me the T&C's. Has anyone had any luck with this recently?
I swear I have done this before. I also swear it is a rather regular thing to do in these parts as long as the ticket gets reissued before RUC expiration.
I am trying to burn a few for Christmas travel on a flight with confirmable space. One HUCA got me upgraded...but the ticket was never reissued. A call last week got me downgraded when I asked to be reissued! Three more HUCA's since have simply read me the T&C's. Has anyone had any luck with this recently?
Aug 21, 2018, 7:57 pm
#1178
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
Aug 21, 2018, 9:31 pm
#1179
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
So folks, what is the latest on using soon-to-expire RUC's on flights post-expiration as long as there is confirmable space today?
I swear I have done this before. I also swear it is a rather regular thing to do in these parts as long as the ticket gets reissued before RUC expiration.
I am trying to burn a few for Christmas travel on a flight with confirmable space. One HUCA got me upgraded...but the ticket was never reissued. A call last week got me downgraded when I asked to be reissued! Three more HUCA's since have simply read me the T&C's. Has anyone had any luck with this recently?
I swear I have done this before. I also swear it is a rather regular thing to do in these parts as long as the ticket gets reissued before RUC expiration.
I am trying to burn a few for Christmas travel on a flight with confirmable space. One HUCA got me upgraded...but the ticket was never reissued. A call last week got me downgraded when I asked to be reissued! Three more HUCA's since have simply read me the T&C's. Has anyone had any luck with this recently?
if not huca, ask for supervisor, and explain space was inserted and tickets never reissued, and that you understand the T&Cs for the future but you want them to honor it this time.
Aug 30, 2018, 6:10 am
#1180
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Michigan, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond; Delta Platinum
Posts: 552
I booked a flight and advance and applied a RUC
Looking today, there's still 13 first class seats 2 weeks out. As a Platinum, I think I have a good shot at a regular upgrade.
Is it possible to call them up and have them cancel applying the RUC and remove me from the waitlist?
Could be a hassle (and yes I know I should have done it this way originally) but could they remove me, then I wait until closer to the date and see if I get a complimentary upgrade? And of course call and be put the RUC if I'm not high enough on the list?
Looking today, there's still 13 first class seats 2 weeks out. As a Platinum, I think I have a good shot at a regular upgrade.
Is it possible to call them up and have them cancel applying the RUC and remove me from the waitlist?
Could be a hassle (and yes I know I should have done it this way originally) but could they remove me, then I wait until closer to the date and see if I get a complimentary upgrade? And of course call and be put the RUC if I'm not high enough on the list?
Aug 30, 2018, 6:46 am
#1181
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
Is it possible to call them up and have them cancel applying the RUC and remove me from the waitlist?
Could be a hassle (and yes I know I should have done it this way originally) but could they remove me, then I wait until closer to the date and see if I get a complimentary upgrade? And of course call and be put the RUC if I'm not high enough on the list?
Could be a hassle (and yes I know I should have done it this way originally) but could they remove me, then I wait until closer to the date and see if I get a complimentary upgrade? And of course call and be put the RUC if I'm not high enough on the list?
Aug 30, 2018, 7:42 am
#1182
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Michigan, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond; Delta Platinum
Posts: 552
Aug 30, 2018, 11:33 am
#1183
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM, PMNW 1MM, DL 1MM
Posts: 557
Needed to cancel a flight that I had RUC's applied both ways and had confirmed F.
I assume these RUC's are gone now and won't be redeposited?
Never had to cancel a flight I had RUC's applied.
I assume these RUC's are gone now and won't be redeposited?
Never had to cancel a flight I had RUC's applied.
Aug 30, 2018, 2:15 pm
#1184
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: 27,046
You can rebook, paying whatever change fee and still use them on the new flights. However if they don't clear on the rebooked flights you lose them.
Aug 30, 2018, 3:34 pm
#1185
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,060
Used 2 RUCs on SEA-JFK round trip, cleared a few days before (not at gate). Plat status. Lie flat seats too. SWEET.