Oct 25, 2015, 6:46 am
2015 Upgrade Success Thread or lack of
Apr 5, 2015, 4:18 pm
#256
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: DL Million Miler
Posts: 1,963
Since the new elite year (March 1st):
#4 of 7 for MSN-ATL late flight on Good Friday (only 1 seat available - - all other seats were gone before the window); kind of gobstruck by being #4 of only 7 elites as a Plat.
For next weekend: the trifecta! Doing a 3-segment connection next Saturday including a DTW-ATL segment, and all 3 cleared today at the window.
Does anyone have the skinny on how elite numbers have changed March 1st compared to previous years - - since the cumulative effect of MQD's will just now have kicked in for the first time?
#4 of 7 for MSN-ATL late flight on Good Friday (only 1 seat available - - all other seats were gone before the window); kind of gobstruck by being #4 of only 7 elites as a Plat.
For next weekend: the trifecta! Doing a 3-segment connection next Saturday including a DTW-ATL segment, and all 3 cleared today at the window.
Does anyone have the skinny on how elite numbers have changed March 1st compared to previous years - - since the cumulative effect of MQD's will just now have kicked in for the first time?
Apr 5, 2015, 5:37 pm
#257
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MLB, MCO
Programs: Delta Plat, IHG Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,315
I'm 3 for 18 for 2015 and 0/10 since March 1, and that includes zero upgrades on my Sunday-Wednesday MLB-ATL-BNA trip last week. Tomorrow I'm 8 on both of my flights with 0 seats on the first one and 1 seat on three second. I'm flying similar itineraries as last year and was hitting 75% upgrade success.
A huge part of the problem is that FL flights seem to be ground zero for FCM which I unfortunately can't participate in since I book through a corporate travel agent and that means I don't get the paid upgrade offers on delta.com.
A huge part of the problem is that FL flights seem to be ground zero for FCM which I unfortunately can't participate in since I book through a corporate travel agent and that means I don't get the paid upgrade offers on delta.com.
Apr 7, 2015, 2:36 pm
#258
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,746
Have folks noticed any changes in when window UGs are clearing (when they actually do clear)?
As a PM, I've usually seen window UGs clear around 5pm ATL time, 6 days out. By my math, this means a Sunday flight clears the Monday afternoon prior.
Today, Tuesday, I'm looking for flights this Sunday - so I should be within the window already. Found a flight, and it only shows "Upgrade Eligible." On a whim, I force the search into a Y fare, and the same flight now shows "Upgrade Available."
In my mind, one of three things are happening:
1) I'm counting my fingers and toes wrong, and the PM window doesn't actually open until this afternoon.
2) DL has fixed their clocks and are now doing window upgrades 120 hours in advance of a flight, rather than 144-ish hours in advance.
3) DL has begun pulling medallion UGs from Y out of a different inventory than medallion UGs from all other fare classes.
Thoughts?
As a PM, I've usually seen window UGs clear around 5pm ATL time, 6 days out. By my math, this means a Sunday flight clears the Monday afternoon prior.
Today, Tuesday, I'm looking for flights this Sunday - so I should be within the window already. Found a flight, and it only shows "Upgrade Eligible." On a whim, I force the search into a Y fare, and the same flight now shows "Upgrade Available."
In my mind, one of three things are happening:
1) I'm counting my fingers and toes wrong, and the PM window doesn't actually open until this afternoon.
2) DL has fixed their clocks and are now doing window upgrades 120 hours in advance of a flight, rather than 144-ish hours in advance.
3) DL has begun pulling medallion UGs from Y out of a different inventory than medallion UGs from all other fare classes.
Thoughts?
Apr 7, 2015, 9:04 pm
#259
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Big Muddy Mile Marker 332
Programs: Delta-PM, HHonors-Diamond, Hyatt-Explorist, Hertz - Presidents
Posts: 335
I received a totally unexpected but wonderful visit a couple of hours ago from the Delta Upgrade Fairy (my grandsons have a tooth fairy; I have an upgrade fairy).
I'm on a V fare DCA-ATL-JAX next week. I'll be the guy wearing a Notre Dame shirt drinking Bloody Marys both segments.
I'm on a V fare DCA-ATL-JAX next week. I'll be the guy wearing a Notre Dame shirt drinking Bloody Marys both segments.
Apr 8, 2015, 1:09 am
#260
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 403
On a whim, I force the search into a Y fare, and the same flight now shows "Upgrade Available."
In my mind, one of three things are happening:
1) I'm counting my fingers and toes wrong, and the PM window doesn't actually open until this afternoon.
2) DL has fixed their clocks and are now doing window upgrades 120 hours in advance of a flight, rather than 144-ish hours in advance.
3) DL has begun pulling medallion UGs from Y out of a different inventory than medallion UGs from all other fare classes.
Thoughts?
In my mind, one of three things are happening:
1) I'm counting my fingers and toes wrong, and the PM window doesn't actually open until this afternoon.
2) DL has fixed their clocks and are now doing window upgrades 120 hours in advance of a flight, rather than 144-ish hours in advance.
3) DL has begun pulling medallion UGs from Y out of a different inventory than medallion UGs from all other fare classes.
Thoughts?
Searching is a completely separate system, and it may not display upgrade available until the window is actually reached.
Apr 8, 2015, 6:27 am
#263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,746
Not different inventory. The process for clearing upgrades is completely unrelated to searching. Delta runs a cron job every so often, clearing upgrades as available. It's coded to allow upgrades a bit early, and always has, in my experience. On light routes, I always get upgrades 6 days out.
Searching is a completely separate system, and it may not display upgrade available until the window is actually reached.
Searching is a completely separate system, and it may not display upgrade available until the window is actually reached.
Apr 8, 2015, 8:55 am
#264
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,449
Yesterday (4/7) 4 for 4
MSY-LAX DL1325 T/RU BF
LAX-SEA DL1352 T/RU 5 Days
SEA-LAX DL1467 V/RU Gate
LAX-MSY DL2592 V/RU 4 Days
MSY-LAX DL1325 T/RU BF
LAX-SEA DL1352 T/RU 5 Days
SEA-LAX DL1467 V/RU Gate
LAX-MSY DL2592 V/RU 4 Days
Apr 8, 2015, 9:31 am
#265
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
DM flying ATL-LAX yesterday. I asked to apply a RUC when I booked the flight a month or so ago.
When I got to the gate I was #10 of 39 for 9 seats. Enjoyed my C+ seat.
Earlier, in the SC I inquired about my ranking and asking if the RUC had been applied correctly. It had, and he checked and the folks above me were all DM using RUCs
When I got to the gate I was #10 of 39 for 9 seats. Enjoyed my C+ seat.
Earlier, in the SC I inquired about my ranking and asking if the RUC had been applied correctly. It had, and he checked and the folks above me were all DM using RUCs
Apr 8, 2015, 12:31 pm
#266
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Big Muddy Mile Marker 332
Programs: Delta-PM, HHonors-Diamond, Hyatt-Explorist, Hertz - Presidents
Posts: 335
Apr 8, 2015, 12:32 pm
#267
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Delta Silver. Former AA gold. UA MP and DL Plat AMEX cardholder
Posts: 1,254
Flight 1845 DTW-LAX upgraded as a Silver last night into 5F on the 763. I was shocked when they called me for my new seat assignment in the middle of the boarding process. I said to the gate agent "I got upgraded? You have to be kidding me. This never happens." She laughed. I think I was #8 for 6 available seats when I checked in at EWR yesterday.
Also worth nothing that the flight was advertised as "refreshments" but they served a light meal which was OK -- a hot turkey sandwich.
Also worth nothing that the flight was advertised as "refreshments" but they served a light meal which was OK -- a hot turkey sandwich.
Apr 8, 2015, 4:52 pm
#268
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
Today, Tuesday, I'm looking for flights this Sunday - so I should be within the window already. Found a flight, and it only shows "Upgrade Eligible." On a whim, I force the search into a Y fare, and the same flight now shows "Upgrade Available."
In my mind, one of three things are happening:
1) I'm counting my fingers and toes wrong, and the PM window doesn't actually open until this afternoon.
2) DL has fixed their clocks and are now doing window upgrades 120 hours in advance of a flight, rather than 144-ish hours in advance.
3) DL has begun pulling medallion UGs from Y out of a different inventory than medallion UGs from all other fare classes.
Thoughts?
In my mind, one of three things are happening:
1) I'm counting my fingers and toes wrong, and the PM window doesn't actually open until this afternoon.
2) DL has fixed their clocks and are now doing window upgrades 120 hours in advance of a flight, rather than 144-ish hours in advance.
3) DL has begun pulling medallion UGs from Y out of a different inventory than medallion UGs from all other fare classes.
Thoughts?
They might be holding seats for FCM, and full Y qualifies.
Apr 8, 2015, 4:53 pm
#269
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
Flight 1845 DTW-LAX upgraded as a Silver last night into 5F on the 763. I was shocked when they called me for my new seat assignment in the middle of the boarding process. I said to the gate agent "I got upgraded? You have to be kidding me. This never happens." She laughed. I think I was #8 for 6 available seats when I checked in at EWR yesterday.
Also worth nothing that the flight was advertised as "refreshments" but they served a light meal which was OK -- a hot turkey sandwich.
Also worth nothing that the flight was advertised as "refreshments" but they served a light meal which was OK -- a hot turkey sandwich.
Apr 8, 2015, 5:03 pm
#270
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Delta Silver. Former AA gold. UA MP and DL Plat AMEX cardholder
Posts: 1,254
It was an 8:06pm departure from DTW so "Refreshments" in F. I have a pic of the meal on my phone so I'll try to upload to the definitive meals thread. It was fairly simple -- hot turkey sandwich, chips, fruit salad, and cookie. Nice they didn't run out or not have anything by the time they got to me. Essentially the whole flight was an open bar -- F/A's running up and down the isle serving and filling people up.
Also worth noting that in Comfort + on the 319 from EWR-DTW I got a free Ballast Point IPA. F/A forgot that cocktails are now free so he asked the lead F/A and she confirmed they are free now. The free cocktails policy in Comfort + is a winner if you ask me (for us nervous travelers) ^
Also worth noting that in Comfort + on the 319 from EWR-DTW I got a free Ballast Point IPA. F/A forgot that cocktails are now free so he asked the lead F/A and she confirmed they are free now. The free cocktails policy in Comfort + is a winner if you ask me (for us nervous travelers) ^