Mostly a curiosity, no real complaints or issues here. DL 937 LAX-CUN on 12/15/14. No Business seats, in any fare bucket, from about 3 weeks out up until 1 hr to departure (checked detla.com, called DM line, all the same: "sold out in J, not a single seat available" for cash, miles, ... bullion). Yet there were 9 unoccupied seats out of 16 on the seat map, also up until the departure (seat map is not a perfect indicator, I agree, but still a decent guide). Over 40 seats open in Y.

After checking in, the UG list showed 9 seats available in J, 39 in Y. Obviously, an easy upgrade. 7 seats in J went empty. About 25-30 in Y.

Not a big deal - except 5 people in my party did not want to take the risk, bought J tickets on UA. At about $2,200 a piece, DL just lost $11K in revenue for a 4-hr flight that would be a good profit for them (an older, seen-better-days 737; not really an international J, could not cost them that much to operate). What gives? Delta literally would not sell tickets even at LAX, 2 hrs before departure - the seats were clearly there. Software bugs, something else?

I never even knew there was such an animal as a LAX/CUN nonstop - and, I check next Monday, Dec 22 as a test date, I see that there are actually 2 nonstops - DL971 & DL937!

It could have been group without seat assignments who misconnected together or perhaps who all cancelled. Still, it's strange.

I had a similar experience on a DCA-JFK-LAX trip a few weeks ago. No problems with the upgrade for the 42 minute trip from DCA to JFK, but 0 seats in J (a flat bed BE cabin 767) on the JFK-LAX route at 3 hours before departure. Then, 90 minutes or so out, 3 J seats opened up (I was #3 on the UG list); during boarding, a 4th J seat opened up. Happy happy joy joy!!!

Delta is no longer interested in giving seats away to DYKWIA elites. Pay up, or don't fly. FCM in overdrive: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...rent-45-a.html

I think you're missing the OP's point - he wasn't talking about upgrade availability but the total lack of paid inventory until T-3h. This actually 180 degrees opposite of what Glen wants to see.

This song and dance is getting so tiring.

This broad stereotyping... as in reflexively calling anyone wishing to have reasonable access to earned benefits a "DYKWIA elite" ... is ludicrous.

You lose credibility... especially when you need to misinterpret the OP's message just to give yourself an opportunity to snark.

Your are an SM. DMs get the UGs (on a space available basis) that you will never see. Get over it. Vent your bile in some other direction.

It is looking like the days of being upgraded at the window for each medallion level is long gone.

Now everything will be going to the Gate or at T-1 Hour.

Some have got their wishes!
Congratulations!

My guess is that dieuwer2 was channelling the uber-Diamond denizens of this forum.

Channeling the TH3 crowd.