Oct 17, 2021, 9:32 am
Last edit by: bgriff
Can I SDC and stay in F/D1 after applying an RUC? Maybe. Most recent data points (please update as information changes):
Via phone / chat agents: Some success, but often requires multiple HUCA and many agents believe the answer is no. Details further down this Wiki about how to guide agents to look in their system if you find a friendly agent, but this information may change.
Via airport agents: Few data points but likely to be the same as phone/chat agents.
Via app SDC function: As of mid 2023, app SDC is altogether broken.
Via web SDC function during check-in: Appears that this may work, with at least one successful data point. Likely the best option right now (as of late 2023). See example of what to look for.
Via same-day standby: No. Upgrade list is cleared before standby list so there would generally be no premium seats left by the time you clear. If normal paid premium cabin SDC rules are followed, standby shouldn't be necessary anyway unless you are trying to get onto a flight that is sold out up front at the time you make the request.
If you need to involve an agent (for example if changing from a nonstop to connecting itinerary or taking advantage of the provision to SDC a first class ticket to any lower cabin with last seat availability), the following information may be useful in guiding the agent to the correct policy:
Via phone / chat agents: Some success, but often requires multiple HUCA and many agents believe the answer is no. Details further down this Wiki about how to guide agents to look in their system if you find a friendly agent, but this information may change.
Via airport agents: Few data points but likely to be the same as phone/chat agents.
Via app SDC function: As of mid 2023, app SDC is altogether broken.
Via web SDC function during check-in: Appears that this may work, with at least one successful data point. Likely the best option right now (as of late 2023). See example of what to look for.
Via same-day standby: No. Upgrade list is cleared before standby list so there would generally be no premium seats left by the time you clear. If normal paid premium cabin SDC rules are followed, standby shouldn't be necessary anyway unless you are trying to get onto a flight that is sold out up front at the time you make the request.
If you need to involve an agent (for example if changing from a nonstop to connecting itinerary or taking advantage of the provision to SDC a first class ticket to any lower cabin with last seat availability), the following information may be useful in guiding the agent to the correct policy:
I ended up speaking to a someone at the Rates and Reissues desk. They confirmed that KM (Knowledge Management) VERY clearly delineates the difference between complimentary upgrades and Mileage/Upgrade Certificate upgrades. It clearly states that comp upgrades use OU or RU inventory and DO NOT require ticket reissue and no compensation has been collected by Delta thus the SDC is only eligible for ticketed economy class. But Mileage/Upgrade Certificates involve an exchange of value and SDC is allowed if ANY inventory in the premium CABIN (not class) is available. It notes that this is indicated by OY, RY, or SY class and is reissued.
He said to have any agent look in KM under:
“Same-Day Travel Changes (SDT)” page and go to the “Same Day Confirmed: Program Details” section and then scroll down to the “Upgrades” heading. There is cleary lists the different rules for SDC on comp upgrade and "Upgrade Certificate or Mileage"
He said the wording is so clear there should be absolutely no issue with SDC on GUC/RUC. He did note that the verbage in KM is “Upgrade Certificate” not GUC or RUC in that particular area.
He also said that KM clearly states that D1 to FC SDC is allowed (requires manual reissue), but FC to D1 is NOT allowed. He indicated though that since the fare bucket alignment across intl and domestic flights a few years ago, its not immediately apparent to agents the difference between a D1 domestic flight and a FC domestic flight without a few extra clicks and that he sees FC to D1 SDC reissues happen frequently where they shouldn’t.
He said to have any agent look in KM under:
“Same-Day Travel Changes (SDT)” page and go to the “Same Day Confirmed: Program Details” section and then scroll down to the “Upgrades” heading. There is cleary lists the different rules for SDC on comp upgrade and "Upgrade Certificate or Mileage"
He said the wording is so clear there should be absolutely no issue with SDC on GUC/RUC. He did note that the verbage in KM is “Upgrade Certificate” not GUC or RUC in that particular area.
He also said that KM clearly states that D1 to FC SDC is allowed (requires manual reissue), but FC to D1 is NOT allowed. He indicated though that since the fare bucket alignment across intl and domestic flights a few years ago, its not immediately apparent to agents the difference between a D1 domestic flight and a FC domestic flight without a few extra clicks and that he sees FC to D1 SDC reissues happen frequently where they shouldn’t.
SDC while using Regional Upgrade Certificates (RUC) Definitive Thread
Aug 22, 2019, 10:20 pm
#16
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Sadly some will pull up info, read it and ignore it. The problem appears to he some agents are trained correctly, some incorrectly. I had a supervisor (before I got a note added to my account) tell me she asked the agent why she refused to process it. According to her they were trained this was not allowed. Supervisor pointed her to the relevant policy section, but the agent still thought supervisor was wrong.
Aug 25, 2019, 5:27 pm
#17
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Thanks for the specifics. A couple of days ago I had to tell an agent to check KM; she did, and gave the the SDC.
Aug 27, 2019, 1:54 pm
#18
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SDC with a confirmed RUC
Flyertalkers -
I'm getting the runaround from Delta on this one. When I have a confirmed RUC upgrade and I try to SDC to another flight, some agents do it instantly, others give me a song-and-dance and have to call a supervisor to get it done.
Is there a written policy on this?
Thanks,
VB
I'm getting the runaround from Delta on this one. When I have a confirmed RUC upgrade and I try to SDC to another flight, some agents do it instantly, others give me a song-and-dance and have to call a supervisor to get it done.
Is there a written policy on this?
Thanks,
VB
Aug 27, 2019, 2:38 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Posts: 3,440
Flyertalkers -
I'm getting the runaround from Delta on this one. When I have a confirmed RUC upgrade and I try to SDC to another flight, some agents do it instantly, others give me a song-and-dance and have to call a supervisor to get it done.
Is there a written policy on this?
Thanks,
VB
I'm getting the runaround from Delta on this one. When I have a confirmed RUC upgrade and I try to SDC to another flight, some agents do it instantly, others give me a song-and-dance and have to call a supervisor to get it done.
Is there a written policy on this?
Thanks,
VB
https://www.delta.com/us/en/change-c...-flight-change
- If you have a premium cabin fare like Delta One®, Delta Premium Select or First Class you may make a Same-Day Confirmed change as long as a seat is available in the cabin purchased or a lower cabin
Aug 27, 2019, 3:09 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 647
Also, under "Additional Rules" in the same link, note "Medallion Complimentary Upgrades do not transfer to your rebooked ticket"
So you have to put it all together for them:
Don't know if the references to KM have changed.
So you have to put it all together for them:
- A confirmed RUC is a "premium cabin fare".
- By contrast, a Medallion Complimentary Upgrade remains booked in the original (non premium cabin) fare, which is why they "do not transfer to your rebooked ticket."
Don't know if the references to KM have changed.
Aug 27, 2019, 3:10 pm
#21
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Yes. Once confirmed,you have an F Ticket. However some agents seem to confused the section on complementary upgrades with RUC/GUC/miles upgrades. If they read the whole policy its clear, it even says the fare class that RUC/GUC/mile upgrades clear into is eligible.
Aug 27, 2019, 3:51 pm
#22
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My impression is that this is more likely to be successful if the ticket has already been reissued into class OY or whatever, versus simply having had the upgrade clear and be confirmed with class OY showing on the PNR.
Sep 13, 2019, 3:50 pm
#23
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I had FC seats on return itinerary, OY class, using RUC.
Had been confirmed in FC month ago.
Problems with inbound aircraft for my first return segment prompted the need to get backed up on a later connecting flight.
First agent I spoke to said that she could put me in coach, but that I would be in the upgrade list for FC. She checked with supervisor who "confirmed" this.
I then asked where I would be on the UG list and was told I was third on the list.
I asked why not number one on the list, since I was using a coupon.
Response... "Because you did not make your request 24 hours before the flight.."
My response (issued in good nature) "Well DL did not advise me 24 hours ahead of time that the flight was going to go mechanical."
So, what is the current policy? Once you are confirmed in FC on one flight, and the RUC is redeemed, what is your status if you have to change flights?
Had been confirmed in FC month ago.
Problems with inbound aircraft for my first return segment prompted the need to get backed up on a later connecting flight.
First agent I spoke to said that she could put me in coach, but that I would be in the upgrade list for FC. She checked with supervisor who "confirmed" this.
I then asked where I would be on the UG list and was told I was third on the list.
I asked why not number one on the list, since I was using a coupon.
Response... "Because you did not make your request 24 hours before the flight.."
My response (issued in good nature) "Well DL did not advise me 24 hours ahead of time that the flight was going to go mechanical."
So, what is the current policy? Once you are confirmed in FC on one flight, and the RUC is redeemed, what is your status if you have to change flights?
Sep 13, 2019, 4:10 pm
#24
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I had FC seats on return itinerary, OY class, using RUC.
Had been confirmed in FC month ago.
Problems with inbound aircraft for my first return segment prompted the need to get backed up on a later connecting flight.
First agent I spoke to said that she could put me in coach, but that I would be in the upgrade list for FC. She checked with supervisor who "confirmed" this.
I then asked where I would be on the UG list and was told I was third on the list.
I asked why not number one on the list, since I was using a coupon.
Response... "Because you did not make your request 24 hours before the flight.."
My response (issued in good nature) "Well DL did not advise me 24 hours ahead of time that the flight was going to go mechanical."
So, what is the current policy? Once you are confirmed in FC on one flight, and the RUC is redeemed, what is your status if you have to change flights?
Had been confirmed in FC month ago.
Problems with inbound aircraft for my first return segment prompted the need to get backed up on a later connecting flight.
First agent I spoke to said that she could put me in coach, but that I would be in the upgrade list for FC. She checked with supervisor who "confirmed" this.
I then asked where I would be on the UG list and was told I was third on the list.
I asked why not number one on the list, since I was using a coupon.
Response... "Because you did not make your request 24 hours before the flight.."
My response (issued in good nature) "Well DL did not advise me 24 hours ahead of time that the flight was going to go mechanical."
So, what is the current policy? Once you are confirmed in FC on one flight, and the RUC is redeemed, what is your status if you have to change flights?
It amazes me that DL agents don’t know all their own rules when it comes to SDC. I still get the run around on occasion when I’m in paid F with the “fare class not available”.
Sep 13, 2019, 8:04 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 378
I haven't had any luck using SDC with RUCs. The agents generally don't know the rules, and the Supervisors back them up. But we may not know the rules, since they aren't published anywhere. When using a RUC, I'm happy if the agent can figure out how to code it properly (still usually takes 2-3 phone calls).
I've had better luck with RUCs and flight delays/cancellations. The Delta app has consistently offered me F rebooking options while flying on a RUC. And the app lets you pick lots of creative re-routing options, so you can fly F on multiple segments if needed.
Sep 13, 2019, 8:07 pm
#26
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It amazes me that Delta still doesn't have a customer-facing published policy for SDC for RUCs and GUCs.
I haven't had any luck using SDC with RUCs. The agents generally don't know the rules, and the Supervisors back them up. But we may not know the rules, since they aren't published anywhere. When using a RUC, I'm happy if the agent can figure out how to code it properly (still usually takes 2-3 phone calls).
I've had better luck with RUCs and flight delays/cancellations. The Delta app has consistently offered me F rebooking options while flying on a RUC. And the app lets you pick lots of creative re-routing options, so you can fly F on multiple segments if needed.
I haven't had any luck using SDC with RUCs. The agents generally don't know the rules, and the Supervisors back them up. But we may not know the rules, since they aren't published anywhere. When using a RUC, I'm happy if the agent can figure out how to code it properly (still usually takes 2-3 phone calls).
I've had better luck with RUCs and flight delays/cancellations. The Delta app has consistently offered me F rebooking options while flying on a RUC. And the app lets you pick lots of creative re-routing options, so you can fly F on multiple segments if needed.
Sep 14, 2019, 10:11 am
#27
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I have consistently received the same answer.
Very disappointing lessening of the value of the benefit.
Sep 14, 2019, 8:48 pm
#28
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Sep 15, 2019, 11:16 am
#29
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I haven't had any luck using SDC with RUCs. The agents generally don't know the rules, and the Supervisors back them up. But we may not know the rules, since they aren't published anywhere. When using a RUC, I'm happy if the agent can figure out how to code it properly (still usually takes 2-3 phone calls).
I've had better luck with RUCs and flight delays/cancellations. The Delta app has consistently offered me F rebooking options while flying on a RUC. And the app lets you pick lots of creative re-routing options, so you can fly F on multiple segments if needed.
I've had better luck with RUCs and flight delays/cancellations. The Delta app has consistently offered me F rebooking options while flying on a RUC. And the app lets you pick lots of creative re-routing options, so you can fly F on multiple segments if needed.
Only once did I get one to clear far enough out that I could do an SDC, and then of course the agent told me it could not be done. The supervisor agreed with the agent, but rebooked me as a one-time courtesy and while she was at it changed my booking class so I got the 50% MQM bonus as a kind of consolation prize.
Sep 22, 2019, 12:09 pm
#30
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You guys are luckier than me with your RUCs. I use them most of the time on a long flight like LAX-ATL, and if they clear at all (which they mostly do not) they clear at the gate. I don't even have a chance to SDC. All four of my RUCs from 2018 expired in January of 2019, and three of the four in 2017 expired as well.
Only once did I get one to clear far enough out that I could do an SDC, and then of course the agent told me it could not be done. The supervisor agreed with the agent, but rebooked me as a one-time courtesy and while she was at it changed my booking class so I got the 50% MQM bonus as a kind of consolation prize.
Only once did I get one to clear far enough out that I could do an SDC, and then of course the agent told me it could not be done. The supervisor agreed with the agent, but rebooked me as a one-time courtesy and while she was at it changed my booking class so I got the 50% MQM bonus as a kind of consolation prize.