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)
Apr 15, 2018, 1:20 pm
#1081
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: 18,923
"Ticket Eligibility: Upgrade Certificates cannot be used on Award Travel or tickets booked in Basic Economy (E)"
Worth skimming that page and the thread wiki to minimize surprises later (and mentally prepare for how hard it can be to use these sometimes
)
Apr 15, 2018, 2:00 pm
#1082
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Michigan, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond; Delta Platinum
Posts: 552
Upgrade Certificates Overview
"Ticket Eligibility: Upgrade Certificates cannot be used on Award Travel or tickets booked in Basic Economy (E)"
Worth skimming that page and the thread wiki to minimize surprises later (and mentally prepare for how hard it can be to use these sometimes)
"Ticket Eligibility: Upgrade Certificates cannot be used on Award Travel or tickets booked in Basic Economy (E)"
Worth skimming that page and the thread wiki to minimize surprises later (and mentally prepare for how hard it can be to use these sometimes
)I had originally called before I knew and asked to apply one to my award flight and the agent said ok , but that there wasn’t availability now and I’d be on the wait list.
So if it’s not eligible what happened? Did the agent over ride or was she mistaken and is it not applied?
Tomorrow is 5 days out and I’m curious if I get an upgrade if it’s due to be regular 5 day window or the RUC, And whether that means I still have my certs.
Apr 15, 2018, 2:11 pm
#1083
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
I did read that which is why I’m confused.
I had originally called before I knew and asked to apply one to my award flight and the agent said ok , but that there wasn’t availability now and I’d be on the wait list.
So if it’s not eligible what happened? Did the agent over ride or was she mistaken and is it not applied?
Tomorrow is 5 days out and I’m curious if I get an upgrade if it’s due to be regular 5 day window or the RUC, And whether that means I still have my certs.
Check in your wallet but if you haven't cleared then you (should) Still have the certs.
Apr 15, 2018, 2:33 pm
#1084
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Michigan, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond; Delta Platinum
Posts: 552
Apr 16, 2018, 3:00 pm
#1085
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
SDC'd a two-segment itinerary for tomorrow where both segments cleared RUC in advance.
Not even a hint at pushback from the agent, even though I grabbed true F inventory. That's three consecutive SDCs on RUCs without pushback, perhaps word is getting out to the agents?
Not even a hint at pushback from the agent, even though I grabbed true F inventory. That's three consecutive SDCs on RUCs without pushback, perhaps word is getting out to the agents?
Apr 17, 2018, 10:34 pm
#1086
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 5
I'm a DM. If you really want an upgrade on a busy route, use your certificate early. It can clear immediately if there are enough seats left. If you wait until the last minute, especially after DM/PMs start clearing on revenue upgrades, they may sell out.
If you're okay with skipping the upgrade this time and hoping they may give you a revenue upgrade, I've had some success using them last minute, but far less likely.
If you're okay with skipping the upgrade this time and hoping they may give you a revenue upgrade, I've had some success using them last minute, but far less likely.
Apr 18, 2018, 2:04 am
#1087
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
This was third time lucky, as my RUC didn't clear and left me as the bubble boy on two earlier DCA-LAX trips this year. At 0235 EDT this morning Delta cleared my RUC upgrade for tomorrow's JFK-SLC which departs in the 1100 hour; this is a 737-900 and there are still 3 F empties left.
Apr 19, 2018, 8:00 am
#1088
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
HUCA, next agent made the change no questions asked in about 5 seconds.
Apr 19, 2018, 7:19 pm
#1089
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 552
I love when things work the way it supposed to. Applied ruc late and didnt clear right away. Got put at the top of the upgrade list atl to lax. Cleared 1 hour before flight. They got rid of lie flat airplanes. But whatever.
Apr 19, 2018, 7:20 pm
#1090
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 552
I love when things work the way it supposed to. Applied ruc late and didnt clear right away. Got put at the top of the upgrade list atl to lax. Cleared 1 hour before flight. They got rid of lie flat airplanes. But whatever.
Apr 20, 2018, 12:57 am
#1091
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 71
A couple of days ago I booked two BOS-LAX flights for 5/12 and 6/15. Neither had immediately cinfirmavle space but as my certs expire in mid July I waitlisted them. No less than 5 days later, I get reissue emails for both tickets showing that the RUC has cleared.
I know BOS-LAX may not be the _most_ difficult route to get up front, but given the size of the J cabin and the fares they were selling J for, I'm pretty darn pleased. I'm also shocked that OY inventory opened up for both at the same time. Kind of makes you wonder if RM occasionally reviews RUC requests. I'm also pretty surprised that waitlisted then clearing worked correctly.
Both flights were DL1253, one departing at 7:32
Am and the other at 7:40 am
I know BOS-LAX may not be the _most_ difficult route to get up front, but given the size of the J cabin and the fares they were selling J for, I'm pretty darn pleased. I'm also shocked that OY inventory opened up for both at the same time. Kind of makes you wonder if RM occasionally reviews RUC requests. I'm also pretty surprised that waitlisted then clearing worked correctly.
Both flights were DL1253, one departing at 7:32
Am and the other at 7:40 am
Apr 20, 2018, 1:44 am
#1092
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
A couple of days ago I booked two BOS-LAX flights for 5/12 and 6/15. Neither had immediately cinfirmavle space but as my certs expire in mid July I waitlisted them. No less than 5 days later, I get reissue emails for both tickets showing that the RUC has cleared.
I know BOS-LAX may not be the _most_ difficult route to get up front, but given the size of the J cabin and the fares they were selling J for, I'm pretty darn pleased. I'm also shocked that OY inventory opened up for both at the same time. Kind of makes you wonder if RM occasionally reviews RUC requests. I'm also pretty surprised that waitlisted then clearing worked correctly.
Both flights were DL1253, one departing at 7:32
Am and the other at 7:40 am
I know BOS-LAX may not be the _most_ difficult route to get up front, but given the size of the J cabin and the fares they were selling J for, I'm pretty darn pleased. I'm also shocked that OY inventory opened up for both at the same time. Kind of makes you wonder if RM occasionally reviews RUC requests. I'm also pretty surprised that waitlisted then clearing worked correctly.
Both flights were DL1253, one departing at 7:32
Am and the other at 7:40 am
I think if requests can be reviewed, the "reviewer" uses some automated list formation to pull up pending requests. I bet these requests only populate on this automated function correctly, when the agent has used exactly the correct syntax. This would make sense in that cases where follow up calls have caused an agent to blame a mis-code for not clearing, the "reviewer" couldn't properly pull the [incorrectly coded] request.
Apr 22, 2018, 12:55 pm
#1093
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Idaho
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 352
That's the basic idea. If you can wait until after the northeast weather situation is over, you have a better chance of getting a more knowledgeable agent (or just not being on hold as long).
I've found that it helps if you have a list of flights you want the agent to check on and can feed them flight #s to check for inventory on. IIRC they should be looking for available "RP" inventory which will allow you to clear the upgrade immediately upon applying the RUC.
I've found that it helps if you have a list of flights you want the agent to check on and can feed them flight #s to check for inventory on. IIRC they should be looking for available "RP" inventory which will allow you to clear the upgrade immediately upon applying the RUC.
All-in-all, a very good experience.
Apr 23, 2018, 6:23 am
#1094
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 209
Pardon me if this is already posted/asked as this is quite a long thread! I had previously read where you never really know if you are on the RUC waitlist. I have 2 different booked itineraries, one I've requested the RUC and the other I have not. When I look under "My Trips", the one where I have the RUC requested says:
MANAGE COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADES
Upgrade Status:Upgrade Waitlisted
The one that I don't just has:
MANAGE COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADES
Could this be an indication that I am on the RUC list?
11 FC Seats for a Wednesday and its been at 11 for a while.
MANAGE COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADES
Upgrade Status:Upgrade Waitlisted
The one that I don't just has:
MANAGE COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADES
Could this be an indication that I am on the RUC list?
11 FC Seats for a Wednesday and its been at 11 for a while.
Apr 23, 2018, 2:47 pm
#1095
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
I got an instant clear MSP-SAN Thursday evening a couple of days ago. I'd almost certainly get the upgrade anyway, but I want to do SDC to an early flight and that wouldn't work. (SDS probably would, but then I'd probably have a C- seat, possibly a middle one.)