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)
Nov 4, 2014, 7:55 am
#121
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Michigan
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 855
Does anyone know what the cutoff time is to request an RUC? Many have mentioned the strategy of waiting to see where you fall on the upgrade list and then calling to apply an RUC if you're not going to clear otherwise. Can this be done right up until boarding starts (or, I suppose, until the gate agent starts clearing the upgrade list), or are phone agents no longer able to apply an RUC once the flight is under airport control?
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.
Nov 5, 2014, 7:14 am
#122
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,051
From the delta website: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...tificates.html
Nov 5, 2014, 8:12 am
#123
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
From the delta website: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...tificates.html
Nov 5, 2014, 3:43 pm
#124
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, DL MM
Posts: 4,246
Anyone have experience with removing an RUC that is already confirmed but not re-ticketed? Being a little greedy as I'm now in the window and there are medallion upgrades available
Nov 5, 2014, 5:50 pm
#125
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,206
If its not reticketed you should be able to have it removed, although you might get an agent who won't or will scold you.
Nov 8, 2014, 11:57 am
#127
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SAT
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold (LT), Nat EL Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 625
I have a MR coming up MCI-ATL-DEN-DTW-MCI. On my profile, it breaks it out as MCI-ATL-DEN-DTW and DTW-MCi. (This is all on one day, max layover is under two hours.)
Anyone know if a RUC would apply as it shows up? (It would be worth it to me to burn a cert if the one-way is really considered those first three segments... But likely not otherwise.)
I can call in, but would like to know what I need to know first... (Thanks!)
Anyone know if a RUC would apply as it shows up? (It would be worth it to me to burn a cert if the one-way is really considered those first three segments... But likely not otherwise.)
I can call in, but would like to know what I need to know first... (Thanks!)
Nov 8, 2014, 2:38 pm
#128
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
While my reply doesn't address the RUC specifically, it does address the routing /ticketing question.
I just had a same day MSY-LAX-SMF-SLC-MSY that showed on my screens and apps as MSY-LAX-SMF-SLC and SLC-MSY. The actual issued ticket was MSY-LAX-SMF and SMF-SLC-MSY.
I had spoken to the Platinum desk a week before the flight regarding a potential to SDC and eliminate SMF and was told that I couldn't because of the way the ticket was split with SMF as a destination. I called at T-24 and was able to SDC to MSY-LAX-SLC, eliminating SMF.
Therefore, you should be able to get the RUC applied to the multi-stop but it'll be very difficult to get all of the segments at once. If you don't get the answer you're looking for, ask for a supervisor or HUCA. Good luck.
I just had a same day MSY-LAX-SMF-SLC-MSY that showed on my screens and apps as MSY-LAX-SMF-SLC and SLC-MSY. The actual issued ticket was MSY-LAX-SMF and SMF-SLC-MSY.
I had spoken to the Platinum desk a week before the flight regarding a potential to SDC and eliminate SMF and was told that I couldn't because of the way the ticket was split with SMF as a destination. I called at T-24 and was able to SDC to MSY-LAX-SLC, eliminating SMF.
Therefore, you should be able to get the RUC applied to the multi-stop but it'll be very difficult to get all of the segments at once. If you don't get the answer you're looking for, ask for a supervisor or HUCA. Good luck.
Nov 8, 2014, 4:07 pm
#129
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SAT
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold (LT), Nat EL Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 625
While my reply doesn't address the RUC specifically, it does address the routing /ticketing question.
I just had a same day MSY-LAX-SMF-SLC-MSY that showed on my screens and apps as MSY-LAX-SMF-SLC and SLC-MSY. The actual issued ticket was MSY-LAX-SMF and SMF-SLC-MSY.
I had spoken to the Platinum desk a week before the flight regarding a potential to SDC and eliminate SMF and was told that I couldn't because of the way the ticket was split with SMF as a destination. I called at T-24 and was able to SDC to MSY-LAX-SLC, eliminating SMF.
Therefore, you should be able to get the RUC applied to the multi-stop but it'll be very difficult to get all of the segments at once. If you don't get the answer you're looking for, ask for a supervisor or HUCA. Good luck.
I just had a same day MSY-LAX-SMF-SLC-MSY that showed on my screens and apps as MSY-LAX-SMF-SLC and SLC-MSY. The actual issued ticket was MSY-LAX-SMF and SMF-SLC-MSY.
I had spoken to the Platinum desk a week before the flight regarding a potential to SDC and eliminate SMF and was told that I couldn't because of the way the ticket was split with SMF as a destination. I called at T-24 and was able to SDC to MSY-LAX-SLC, eliminating SMF.
Therefore, you should be able to get the RUC applied to the multi-stop but it'll be very difficult to get all of the segments at once. If you don't get the answer you're looking for, ask for a supervisor or HUCA. Good luck.
Thanks, how do I determine how it was ticketed?
Nov 19, 2014, 12:44 pm
#131
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS 75K, Delta Plat, AA 1MM, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 131
Does anyone know where to find your available RGUs on delta.com?
Nov 25, 2014, 2:16 pm
#133
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Delta Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 362
First time using RUC's. Called plat line, agent waitlisted 4 upgrades.
Online account shows original seat assignment with "medallion upgrade requested", and also a stand-by reservation for first (RP) with a notation "assign at gate".
Is that correct? Or should she have removed the medallion upgrade request? Flight is a week from now.
Online account shows original seat assignment with "medallion upgrade requested", and also a stand-by reservation for first (RP) with a notation "assign at gate".
Is that correct? Or should she have removed the medallion upgrade request? Flight is a week from now.
Nov 26, 2014, 7:36 am
#134
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: West Chester, OH
Programs: Delta SM, Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Silver
Posts: 254
I'm going to post in this thread instead of starting another. I'm PM and my wife has no status. We are flying r/t MCO-ORD in December. What is the best method for getting an upgrade for both of us r/t? Using two RU? Thanks for the help.
Nov 26, 2014, 11:42 am
#135
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,051
Yes. Note that you will have to use 4 RUCs to get an upgrade for both of you roundtrip, not 2 (one per passenger each way). The RUCs do not guarantee you will get upgraded but it will give you a chance of getting upgraded in advance of the flight, and if you don't, you'll be on the top of the upgrade list at the gate. (If you don't show up at the top of the upgrade list on the day of departure, call Delta a few hours before the flight to make sure your upgrades were coded correctly.)