IIIIIIIIIIllllllllll

I thought I'd ask this question before my risk-free cancellation passes:

I have a trip to Australia coming up, and per the company policy, the best I can book is premium economy class. Because DL doesn't have premium economy cabin, it looks like my ticket is getting booked into Y-fare.

My current itinerary is as follows:
Sunday afternoon: LGA-ATL (Y)
Sunday evening: ATL-LAX (Y)
Sunday evening: LAX-SYD (W)
Friday afternoon: SYD-LAX (W)
Friday afternoon: LAX-JFK (Y)

My understanding is that for the first two (LGA-ATL, ATL-LAX) Y-fare should give me fairly good chance of getting an upgrade.

However, for LAX-JFK one, I currently have upgrade-with-miles on standby (which shows up as systemwide upgrade requested) which will be lost at T-24.

So - is there any chance of getting the transcon upgrade with miles? or should I just book for LAX-ATL-LGA route which will give a good amount of certainty for an upgrade?

rwoman

With commuter traffic, DL may have good success selling these seats on a Friday. As such, they may not release UG inventory in advance.

For may FTers' experiences with UGs, see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ve-thread.html.

suvayanr

That being said, Delta has been releasing O inventory about 3 days in advance of the flight, and some SFO-JFK, and SEA-JFK have existing O inventory

IIIIIIIIIIllllllllll

Thank you! I think I may play safe and take the LAX-ATL-LGA flights on the way back as well.

rwoman

Keep in mind, per conversations in the other thread, LAX ATL can be a tough UG.

IIIIIIIIIIllllllllll

Ah - that too... Maybe LAX-DTW-LGA?

rwoman

IME, transcontinental UG lists can be long. Your being on a Y fare will help but there are never any guaranteed UGs.

jrl767

since co-terminal SDC isn't available to GM, is there any way to force LAX-xxx-JFK in G/P/A, where the actual underlying fare basis is H/S/Q/K-UP? that way, when you arrive at LAX, you would be able to SDC to BE on the JFK nonstop if there were any open seats

bennos

I've had pretty good success with SWU/mileage upgrades on the TCON routes since the new policy went into effect, and apparently mileage upgrades can now clear at the gate on these routes. Of course, you need seats available and J does sell out on that route.

Two specific threads:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...x-sfo-sea.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...de-policy.html

MSPeconomist

This would probably mean breaking the fare at LAX. In any case, it would be a FC ticket which the OP's employer forbids.

DL2SXM

Rwoman, don't take this he wrong way but you have a history of listing hyperlinks to 'old' threads to answer questions. You are good intentioned but sometimes providing fast and factual information without a hyperlink is essential... end constructive criticism...

rwoman

Thanks, I've now been admonished accordingly.

Strangely enough, the "OLD" thread was used as recently as last month. And, while I may point someone in the direction of a thread initiated long before I came to FT, it's usually because I'm pretty sure the information seems to be relevant.

IIIIIIIIIIllllllllll

Thank you for all your replies! I think I will take chance with LAX-ATL flight rather than waiting for my upgrade with miles to drop off @ T-24.

It's now:
LGA-ATL (RU)
ATL-LAX (Y)
LAX-SYD (W)
SYD-LAX (W)
LAX-ATL (Y)
ATL-LGA (RU)

AirTheory

That route (ATL-LAX) is pretty tough. Have you checked in your "My delta" to see if it'll sell you an upgrade? I bet a Y fare is pretty close in price to a cheaper business fare. Just a thought. Good luck!

DL2SXM

rwoman, I wasn't admonishing just offering a little constructive criticism.