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)
Oct 2, 2018, 6:36 am
#1231
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
I flew JFK-LAS D1 recently and it had 10 seats open a few days out. At about 3 days out, companion and I both cleared into D1 (OU class).
The only right thing is for them to move you up, if they lost your C+ seats and cannot get them back. I am glad that worked out for you on the outbound.
How did they get your C+ seat back on the return? Did they remove the person upgraded into your seat, put you into a blocked C+ seat, what?
The only right thing is for them to move you up, if they lost your C+ seats and cannot get them back. I am glad that worked out for you on the outbound.
How did they get your C+ seat back on the return? Did they remove the person upgraded into your seat, put you into a blocked C+ seat, what?
Oct 2, 2018, 10:48 am
#1232
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
And it cleared into Delta One (OU), not First Class (RU).
I was shocked too but certainly wasn't going to complain!
Oct 2, 2018, 11:32 am
#1233
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM. 1MM
Posts: 2,045
I am trying to use an RUC for an upcoming JFK-PHX flight. I have spoken to multiple agents by phone and twitter and each and every agent indicates the RUC is applied correctly to wait list for an upgrade. However, I do not see the "system wide upgrade" request that I have seen in the past. Has anyone else experienced this and can cofirm the RUC is applied correctly?? This appears to be a new "feature" with the updated web site. There is no indication whatsoever that I have am using an RUC to request an upgrade.
Oct 2, 2018, 11:41 am
#1234
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
I am trying to use an RUC for an upcoming JFK-PHX flight. I have spoken to multiple agents by phone and twitter and each and every agent indicates the RUC is applied correctly to wait list for an upgrade. However, I do not see the "system wide upgrade" request that I have seen in the past. Has anyone else experienced this and can cofirm the RUC is applied correctly?? This appears to be a new "feature" with the updated web site. There is no indication whatsoever that I have am using an RUC to request an upgrade.
the best thing is to call periodically; sometimes it doesn't clear instantly even when there is space
Delta doesn't call them system wides and that terminology doesn't show up anywhere on their site or app. It's not AA.
Oct 2, 2018, 12:03 pm
#1235
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: missing YX more every day
Programs: Delta KM/PM/MM, Nexus, CLEAR, Sharriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,105
no more ghosts
I am trying to use an RUC for an upcoming JFK-PHX flight. I have spoken to multiple agents by phone and twitter and each and every agent indicates the RUC is applied correctly to wait list for an upgrade. However, I do not see the "system wide upgrade" request that I have seen in the past. Has anyone else experienced this and can cofirm the RUC is applied correctly?? This appears to be a new "feature" with the updated web site. There is no indication whatsoever that I have am using an RUC to request an upgrade.
BTW, the "schedule change" was only a flight number change on a 90-min cnxn at DTW, but produced a warning, ". . . you may miss your connection
."
Oct 2, 2018, 1:07 pm
#1236
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
It might be time for everyone to start complaining so Delta allows us to use regional upgrade certificates on the increasing number of flights to Europe where premium-economy has replaced business-class as the highest class of service.
Oct 2, 2018, 8:08 pm
#1237
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
It's been my experience that I need a RUC to clear from C+ to D1 on JFK-SFO. I check in tonite and see I'm 16 of 57 for 15 seats. I'd say there are usually fewer seats available on this flight (it is a 767, often it's a 757 with many fewer D1 seats). It takes nearly half an hour to apply the RUC, and I move up to 5 of 57, which is great. But in the application, my C+ seats are lost and they can't get them back. I go from C+ 16E, the aisle, to 26D, a middle seat in Y on the outbound and from C+ 19E to 26C in the back, both aisles. CSR tells me other people have been moved into my seats and there's no way to get them back.
As you may imagine, I am grateful for the application of the RUC, but it's no guarantee, and I could be going TCON in the dreaded middle in the rear, after having a perfectly acceptable Comfort plus seat both ways. We spend the next hour going around the block with help desks and the gist of it is they can't get my seat back, and offer me a $200 voucher or 5K miles. I very quietly and respectfully lose my ****, we escalate to a supervisor who approves moving me into D1 tonite, rather than just hoping it works out. This is the right outcome, but it took a total of over an hour and half of "no" to get there.
I was stunned by the offer of 5K miles for the downgrade from C+ to Y, it's just insulting. This only highlights the horrible IT DL has, not to mention the problems with calling in to apply an upgrade certificate. It should be a simple thing, not 90+ minutes of bad news. They did get my return C+ seat back after only two trips around the block.
As you may imagine, I am grateful for the application of the RUC, but it's no guarantee, and I could be going TCON in the dreaded middle in the rear, after having a perfectly acceptable Comfort plus seat both ways. We spend the next hour going around the block with help desks and the gist of it is they can't get my seat back, and offer me a $200 voucher or 5K miles. I very quietly and respectfully lose my ****, we escalate to a supervisor who approves moving me into D1 tonite, rather than just hoping it works out. This is the right outcome, but it took a total of over an hour and half of "no" to get there.
I was stunned by the offer of 5K miles for the downgrade from C+ to Y, it's just insulting. This only highlights the horrible IT DL has, not to mention the problems with calling in to apply an upgrade certificate. It should be a simple thing, not 90+ minutes of bad news. They did get my return C+ seat back after only two trips around the block.
Oct 2, 2018, 8:09 pm
#1238
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
There are US-EU flights with no J? Which? (I haven't seen any, but I certainly haven't looked comprehensively.)
Oct 2, 2018, 8:17 pm
#1239
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
Oct 2, 2018, 8:30 pm
#1240
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,212
It's been my experience that I need a RUC to clear from C+ to D1 on JFK-SFO. I check in tonite and see I'm 16 of 57 for 15 seats. I'd say there are usually fewer seats available on this flight (it is a 767, often it's a 757 with many fewer D1 seats). It takes nearly half an hour to apply the RUC, and I move up to 5 of 57, which is great. But in the application, my C+ seats are lost and they can't get them back. I go from C+ 16E, the aisle, to 26D, a middle seat in Y on the outbound and from C+ 19E to 26C in the back, both aisles. CSR tells me other people have been moved into my seats and there's no way to get them back.
As you may imagine, I am grateful for the application of the RUC, but it's no guarantee, and I could be going TCON in the dreaded middle in the rear, after having a perfectly acceptable Comfort plus seat both ways. We spend the next hour going around the block with help desks and the gist of it is they can't get my seat back, and offer me a $200 voucher or 5K miles. I very quietly and respectfully lose my ****, we escalate to a supervisor who approves moving me into D1 tonite, rather than just hoping it works out. This is the right outcome, but it took a total of over an hour and half of "no" to get there.
I was stunned by the offer of 5K miles for the downgrade from C+ to Y, it's just insulting. This only highlights the horrible IT DL has, not to mention the problems with calling in to apply an upgrade certificate. It should be a simple thing, not 90+ minutes of bad news. They did get my return C+ seat back after only two trips around the block.
As you may imagine, I am grateful for the application of the RUC, but it's no guarantee, and I could be going TCON in the dreaded middle in the rear, after having a perfectly acceptable Comfort plus seat both ways. We spend the next hour going around the block with help desks and the gist of it is they can't get my seat back, and offer me a $200 voucher or 5K miles. I very quietly and respectfully lose my ****, we escalate to a supervisor who approves moving me into D1 tonite, rather than just hoping it works out. This is the right outcome, but it took a total of over an hour and half of "no" to get there.
I was stunned by the offer of 5K miles for the downgrade from C+ to Y, it's just insulting. This only highlights the horrible IT DL has, not to mention the problems with calling in to apply an upgrade certificate. It should be a simple thing, not 90+ minutes of bad news. They did get my return C+ seat back after only two trips around the block.
Oct 2, 2018, 8:32 pm
#1241
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,212
Oct 2, 2018, 8:37 pm
#1242
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,212
This. Nobody here can really give you a definitive answer. But if you can confirm the UG right away or if the using the RUC is the difference between an UG or not on a flight that matters to you, then it's a cert well-used. In the past I used to play the "maybe I'll get a free UG" game and always ended the year with 1 or 2 unused RUCs that I had to burn on random <2 hr flights. Now I just earn 'em and burn 'em.
Oct 2, 2018, 8:50 pm
#1243
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: DL DM/MM
Posts: 2,276
I wrote about the same thing happening to me: WHAAAA??? Booted out of C+ after applying RUC
It was an ordeal and really messed up...
It was an ordeal and really messed up...
Oct 3, 2018, 10:23 am
#1244
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DCA, LEX
Programs: DL Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Caesars Diamond, K Fund
Posts: 375
Oct 3, 2018, 11:02 am
#1245
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399