Diamond Vs. Diamond
 

Question: and if this has been answered before my apologies. I am a freshly minted Diamond Medallion on Delta. I was wondering on the upgrade list, when it comes down to diamonds competing for upgrades, what is the tie breaker? is it fare paid? Total YTD MQMs? Just curious. Or is a diamond a diamond? I know my upgrade percentage will go up a bit from Platinum, but just didn't know how the diamonds were ranked.

Thanks!

Fare class will be your primary tie breaker. After that, I believe it is whether or not one holds a Delta Reserve credit card.

Here's a precise list except that it neglects the role of the DL Reserve credit card. I think that follows after the other listed criteria.

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-upgrades.html

Thanks for the info!

Diamond vs Diamond . . . .
 

Awwww, I'm really disappointed. I thought there was a fight in F over the last Woodford on board!! ;)

:D

The AMEX Reserve card is neglected for a reason. There is no place for it with the tie-breaker being time of request...unless perhaps in the event two people requested upgrades at the exact same milli-second.

My understanding is that the Reserve card upgrade priority tie-breaker comes after fare class, but before time of request. The AMEX Reserve card T&C's mentions "Upgrade Priority within the same Medallion tier and fare class". It would indeed be pretty much pointless if it came after time of request.

Correct.

I understand that's what you want it to be, but DL doesn't have any reference to using it as a tie-breaker. Nor are they willing to put it in writing, even when asked.

Except I have seen this happen.

Colleague and I, both are diamond and booked in the same fare class. He booked before me but I have the reserve.

At the gate my name was above his in the upgrade list.

Cheers,
J

In a post several months ago I mentioned that I had done the same thing on two separate occasions, specifically as a test, with a co-worker and I had exactly the opposite experience from you.
Co-worker had Reserve card and booked exact same ticket for exact same fare one minute after me. On first occasion, I was upgraded at 5-day window, but he wasn't. On the next occasion, we were both upgraded at gate, but I was in front of him on upgrade list.

Hmm... That's interesting. I do remember reading here few months ago that there was a bug in the software which processed medallion upgrades. That could have been a factor.
(IIRC this IT bug was fixed 2-3 months ago)

Are you sure your co-worker is primary account holder on the reserve card?

-J

My experience is that the AMEX priority always comes after the fare class. As someone pointed out it would be pointless if it did not. I too have personal experience that it works that way.

what percent of DM's do you think have reserve cards?

what percent of PM's?

Just curious, is the reserve card only useful to DM's and 360's then? If a PM gets it, will s/he observe a difference in his/her UG position?