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 9, 2018, 5:47 am
#1276
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA
Programs: Skymiles (former DM), MileagePlus (Silver), Marriott Rewards/SPG Platinum (Lifetime Titanium)
Posts: 54
I was looking through this thread for the answer and this quote seems closest to it. Are there any limitations with SDC from domestic first to domestic Delta One or as long as there is space available they can move you into the Delta One route?
Oct 9, 2018, 5:55 am
#1277
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
There didn't used to be. However there now is. Howevwr, even though it has changed, some agents will in fact make the change.
Oct 9, 2018, 7:31 am
#1278
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Oct 10, 2018, 11:23 am
#1279
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
I usually have to HUCA three times to SDC on a regular first class flight where an RUC has cleared (every time I have tried the agent will tell me that I can't SDC unless there is upgrade inventory available which is never going to be the case on a long haul at t-24) and I have to HUCA at least two times before I finally get an agent that will do it. I'm sure it will be a lot more difficult doing it from a first class to Delta one.
Oct 10, 2018, 11:42 am
#1280
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 usually have to HUCA three times to SDC on a regular first class flight where an RUC has cleared (every time I have tried the agent will tell me that I can't SDC unless there is upgrade inventory available which is never going to be the case on a long haul at t-24) and I have to HUCA at least two times before I finally get an agent that will do it. I'm sure it will be a lot more difficult doing it from a first class to Delta one.
Oct 10, 2018, 5:29 pm
#1281
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
And it's possible that an agent will annotate your record to say that you tried and were told it's not allowed, so you'll have absolutely no chance of doing it in the future (for at least a couple of years until the remark ages out).
Oct 11, 2018, 8:49 am
#1282
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,342
Is it typical to not be able to check in when you have a RUC waitlisted? I'm wait listed for RUC on SEA-DTW tomorrow, and I cannot check in - get a message that I cannot check in because there are duplicate flights in my itin. I do see the SEA DTW leg twice, one with booked coach seat (K)+ and one for the RUC (RY) (that I don't think has cleared).
Oct 11, 2018, 8:55 am
#1283
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: 18,942
Is it typical to not be able to check in when you have a RUC waitlisted? I'm wait listed for RUC on SEA-DTW tomorrow, and I cannot check in - get a message that I cannot check in because there are duplicate flights in my itin. I do see the SEA DTW leg twice, one with booked coach seat (K)+ and one for the RUC (RY) (that I don't think has cleared).
Oct 11, 2018, 9:24 am
#1284
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,342
Edit .... this is exactly what happened. Took 27 minutes on hold to get tho ha straightened out, but it was indeed a RUC that had cleared but not been re-ticketed.
Last edited by MarkCron; Oct 11, 2018 at 6:29 pm Reason: Update
Oct 11, 2018, 10:42 pm
#1285
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,212
Oct 23, 2018, 3:30 pm
#1286
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Just got this back from DL Twitter. This is after I had them check for inventory for the 5th time in as many weeks and finally something is showing available, so it's not like they didn't know from the beginning I was on an int'l itinerary. Something tells me this particular twitter agent is full of it.
I just checked with my Support Desk, unfortunately, the Domestic portion of an International itinerary does not qualify to use a Regional Upgrade. I'm so very sorry for the confusion and inconvenience. Thank you for your patience.
Oct 23, 2018, 3:49 pm
#1287
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
Just got this back from DL Twitter. This is after I had them check for inventory for the 5th time in as many weeks and finally something is showing available, so it's not like they didn't know from the beginning I was on an int'l itinerary. Something tells me this particular twitter agent is full of it.
Oct 23, 2018, 3:58 pm
#1288
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Nope. No other upgrades applied to any part of this trip (paid, miles, or certs). The int'l legs are on VS-operated and booked in PE if that matters, but all DL marketed and 006 ticketed.
If the VS thing is what's messing it up (or even the int'l rule), I'm still kind of pissed that nobody said anything the multiple times I asked "Could you check for RY (RUC) upgrade inventory on the JFK-DFW portion of my PNR ABCDEF, please?"
The funniest thing is that up until recently, you could search for VS PE flights on DL.com some of the routings would show up with the exact same flights as other options, but $200 more expensive and with the domestic legs in DL FC. I happily paid that extra $200 when it was offered, but now I literally can't give DL anything to upgrade the leg. When I called to see if I could just buy up, the solution was rebook as two separate tickets and refare the whole thing to the tune of another $1500 or something. But at least they offered to waive the change fee.
ETA: It also appears that in the process of all this, they removed the request for medallion UG. I know that time of request rarely comes into play, but if I'm on the bubble I'm going to be even more ticked off.
ETA #2 : Someone else is now replying on twitter and offering to allow me to cancel/return the RUCs. It's actually a really nice gesture, but what really gets me is this part of their message (only thing I changed was my name):
If the VS thing is what's messing it up (or even the int'l rule), I'm still kind of pissed that nobody said anything the multiple times I asked "Could you check for RY (RUC) upgrade inventory on the JFK-DFW portion of my PNR ABCDEF, please?"
The funniest thing is that up until recently, you could search for VS PE flights on DL.com some of the routings would show up with the exact same flights as other options, but $200 more expensive and with the domestic legs in DL FC. I happily paid that extra $200 when it was offered, but now I literally can't give DL anything to upgrade the leg. When I called to see if I could just buy up, the solution was rebook as two separate tickets and refare the whole thing to the tune of another $1500 or something. But at least they offered to waive the change fee.
ETA: It also appears that in the process of all this, they removed the request for medallion UG. I know that time of request rarely comes into play, but if I'm on the bubble I'm going to be even more ticked off.
ETA #2 : Someone else is now replying on twitter and offering to allow me to cancel/return the RUCs. It's actually a really nice gesture, but what really gets me is this part of their message (only thing I changed was my name):
I regret the distress of flights connected to international travel not qualifying for regional upgrades. If you wish to cancel, please let me know and allow 2-3 business days for the process to open up your choices again, Goose. You would be able to also choose either a USD $100 credit for airfare, 20,000 bonus miles, or to give another flyer Silver Medallion status.
Last edited by gooselee; Oct 23, 2018 at 4:36 pm
Oct 23, 2018, 4:59 pm
#1289
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Final update I think deserves a new post (though mods, feel free to merge).
I finally got home and decided to call DL. 5 minutes with the PM desk and the RUC is applied, seat reserved, email received, etc.
Well worth the 15 cents or whatever it cost to call from the UK (tried the UK number first, call center here is already closed for the night).
I finally got home and decided to call DL. 5 minutes with the PM desk and the RUC is applied, seat reserved, email received, etc.
Well worth the 15 cents or whatever it cost to call from the UK (tried the UK number first, call center here is already closed for the night).
Oct 23, 2018, 5:06 pm
#1290
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,212
Final update I think deserves a new post (though mods, feel free to merge).
I finally got home and decided to call DL. 5 minutes with the PM desk and the RUC is applied, seat reserved, email received, etc.
Well worth the 15 cents or whatever it cost to call from the UK (tried the UK number first, call center here is already closed for the night).
I finally got home and decided to call DL. 5 minutes with the PM desk and the RUC is applied, seat reserved, email received, etc.
Well worth the 15 cents or whatever it cost to call from the UK (tried the UK number first, call center here is already closed for the night).