Dec 4, 2015, 7:08 am
Last edit by: Bowgie
Delta Comfort+ FAQs
Delta Comfort+ - A New Domestic Branded Fare Product
Summary (effective November 14, 2015, for travel on or after May 16, 2016, in the U.S.50 and Canada):
No selecting C+ seats at time of booking. Eligible pax must request a C+ upgrade by checking the box in the UPGRADE REQUEST section or calling Delta. If upgrade inventory is available, DM and PM may clear after booking. If upgrade inventory is not available, you will remain in your C- seat until such time that DL either releases inventory, or it goes to the airport for gate upgrade.
GM and FO window remains the same at T-72 and T-24 hrs respectively.
Upgrades may automatically place you in any C+ seat, including middle.
F and C+ are separate checkboxes, so you can request an F upgrade without requesting a C+ upgrade. "Double upgrades" from Y to C+ followed by C+ to F are possible.
In your My Delta Preferences page there is a new box where you can choose the default setting for 1st class upgrades and C+ upgrade preferences.
Pax with a companion will be ranked for a C+ upgrade according to the highest level... ie a DM + general member companion in the same PNR will clear after booking..
Maximum of 1 companion may request a C+ upgrade. Per DL FAQ: "If you have three or more passengers in your reservation, all passengers in the reservation must have Medallion status in order for any passengers to be eligible for Delta Comfort+."
Amex Companion Cert flyers are eligible for C+ upgrades.
To "downgrade" to C- seats (exit, other preferred seats) you must call Delta.
Complimentary upgrades to C+, once on board the aircraft, are not allowed regardless of status.
C+ currently not available with corporate discounts, because C+ currently uses ticket designator /WCOM and corporate discounts also use ticket designators. A fare code can only have one ticket designator. This limitation is apparently temporary.
So far Delta is saying this does not impact upgrades to F.
Delta Comfort+ - A New Domestic Branded Fare Product
Summary (effective November 14, 2015, for travel on or after May 16, 2016, in the U.S.50 and Canada):
No selecting C+ seats at time of booking. Eligible pax must request a C+ upgrade by checking the box in the UPGRADE REQUEST section or calling Delta. If upgrade inventory is available, DM and PM may clear after booking. If upgrade inventory is not available, you will remain in your C- seat until such time that DL either releases inventory, or it goes to the airport for gate upgrade.
GM and FO window remains the same at T-72 and T-24 hrs respectively.
Upgrades may automatically place you in any C+ seat, including middle.
F and C+ are separate checkboxes, so you can request an F upgrade without requesting a C+ upgrade. "Double upgrades" from Y to C+ followed by C+ to F are possible.
In your My Delta Preferences page there is a new box where you can choose the default setting for 1st class upgrades and C+ upgrade preferences.
Pax with a companion will be ranked for a C+ upgrade according to the highest level... ie a DM + general member companion in the same PNR will clear after booking..
Maximum of 1 companion may request a C+ upgrade. Per DL FAQ: "If you have three or more passengers in your reservation, all passengers in the reservation must have Medallion status in order for any passengers to be eligible for Delta Comfort+."
Amex Companion Cert flyers are eligible for C+ upgrades.
To "downgrade" to C- seats (exit, other preferred seats) you must call Delta.
Complimentary upgrades to C+, once on board the aircraft, are not allowed regardless of status.
C+ currently not available with corporate discounts, because C+ currently uses ticket designator /WCOM and corporate discounts also use ticket designators. A fare code can only have one ticket designator. This limitation is apparently temporary.
So far Delta is saying this does not impact upgrades to F.
I have two separate flights on May 16, on two separate itineraries. As a PL, I was able to choose C+ seats shortly after booking months ago, by going through the new rigamarole... Today I was notified of upgrades to F on both itineraries, at the upgrade window. So for those who were wondering if a "double upgrade" can happen, yes, it can.
Delta Comfort for flights on/after May 16, 2016
Nov 8, 2015, 7:34 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: RDU (formerly CVG, DAY)
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 89
You can save your seat preference in your profile, however, if your seat preference isn't available, you will have to call CS to go back to your original fare and original seat.
Nov 8, 2015, 7:36 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Minneapolis, originally from Cincinnati
Programs: Diamond with Delta, Hyatt and Hilton. 2 MM and Plat with America (thank you citi:))
Posts: 2,345
I called the medallion line and asked about this... A supervisor told me most of the changes:
Delta Comfort + will become a new fare. It will become W class. Passengers will have to pay a fare difference to upgrade.
The medallion program will remain the same. At booking, DM and PM tickets will be reissued to "WU" fare class immediately. GM will be reissued to WU 72 hours prior, and FO will be reissued to WU 24 hours prior. Medallions can still have 8 companions in W (C+) within the same PNR. Outside of the PNR, you can have 1 companion.
The supervisor also told me that the FC free upgrade will stay the same, but the reason they are changing comfort plus to W is because they can "better control inventory". She told me that comfort plus fares are subject to change, and will require a reissue and fare difference.
FO and GM members will get comfort plus upgrade certificates in addition to their complimentary upgrade at 72 and 24 hours. GM will get 4 certificates and FO will get 2 certificates annually. They will be using the fare class "WP".
Delta Comfort + will become a new fare. It will become W class. Passengers will have to pay a fare difference to upgrade.
The medallion program will remain the same. At booking, DM and PM tickets will be reissued to "WU" fare class immediately. GM will be reissued to WU 72 hours prior, and FO will be reissued to WU 24 hours prior. Medallions can still have 8 companions in W (C+) within the same PNR. Outside of the PNR, you can have 1 companion.
The supervisor also told me that the FC free upgrade will stay the same, but the reason they are changing comfort plus to W is because they can "better control inventory". She told me that comfort plus fares are subject to change, and will require a reissue and fare difference.
FO and GM members will get comfort plus upgrade certificates in addition to their complimentary upgrade at 72 and 24 hours. GM will get 4 certificates and FO will get 2 certificates annually. They will be using the fare class "WP".
I was not told of the certificates by the agent I talked to but I guess she would have no reason to since I'm DM and the wife is PM. This will be a big benefit for FO's and GM's but be a diminish in benefits for PM's and DM's. Since Delta introduced the C+ chances getting a C+ seat has been a lot easier. It will mean competing with FO's and gold's on long hauls for a C+ seat now. I wonder if Delta will make an C+ seat available to use the certs on or if they will limit the inventory on long haul flights where people tend to pay extra for C+ seats like they do with RU and GU inventory. What happen s if a GM or FO burns a cert for a C+ seat and gets upgraded to first, will they reissue the certificate?
Nov 8, 2015, 7:41 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: RDU (formerly CVG, DAY)
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 89
I called the diamond desk after reading the blog post earlier and was told basically the same thing. I think it would be rotten of Delta to take away free C+ seats at the end of the benefit year but wouldn't surprise me with Delta. And as others have said I would rather keep an aisle exit row than be moved to C+ middle.
I was not told of the certificates by the agent I talked to but I guess she would have no reason to since I'm DM and the wife is PM. This will be a big benefit for FO's and GM's but be a diminish in benefits for PM's and DM's. Since Delta introduced the C+ chances getting a C+ seat has been a lot easier. It will mean competing with FO's and gold's on long hauls for a C+ seat now. I wonder if Delta will make an C+ seat available to use the certs on or if they will limit the inventory on long haul flights where people tend to pay extra for C+ seats like they do with RU and GU inventory. What happen s if a GM or FO burns a cert for a C+ seat and gets upgraded to first, will they reissue the certificate?
I was not told of the certificates by the agent I talked to but I guess she would have no reason to since I'm DM and the wife is PM. This will be a big benefit for FO's and GM's but be a diminish in benefits for PM's and DM's. Since Delta introduced the C+ chances getting a C+ seat has been a lot easier. It will mean competing with FO's and gold's on long hauls for a C+ seat now. I wonder if Delta will make an C+ seat available to use the certs on or if they will limit the inventory on long haul flights where people tend to pay extra for C+ seats like they do with RU and GU inventory. What happen s if a GM or FO burns a cert for a C+ seat and gets upgraded to first, will they reissue the certificate?
How do you think it would work if a GM purchased a C+ fare or upgraded with certificate, when it comes to the SDC policy? Does W have to be available? This might be a huge benefit because DL does not have several fare classes for C+. Essentially, if a C+ seat (W class) is available, then you can SDC for free?
Nov 8, 2015, 7:52 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,349
I called the diamond desk after reading the blog post earlier and was told basically the same thing. I think it would be rotten of Delta to take away free C+ seats at the end of the benefit year but wouldn't surprise me with Delta. And as others have said I would rather keep an aisle exit row than be moved to C+ middle.
I'd be pretty peeved if I got moved from a regular Y or exit row aisle to a C+ middle. If the changes are in fact introduced and you will be upgraded to any C+ seat (including a middle seat), I will write to DL often to ask the question about "Why does this sound like a good idea?" and hope the feedback will drive some change in the thought process.
Nov 8, 2015, 8:03 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 240
As a GM I've pretty much given up on any change of upgrades and just settle (and am okay) with the ability to choose Comfort+ 3 days out from departure.
If this policy impacts my ability to do that it starts making me consider the value of remaining loyal to Delta.
If this policy impacts my ability to do that it starts making me consider the value of remaining loyal to Delta.
Nov 8, 2015, 8:43 pm
#39
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
As a GM I really appreciate the certificate idea and hope its true, especially for long haul flights. With such tight inventory control upgrades are hard for us to come by and this is a nice idea.
I will add my voice to the many others who would be very concerned about being moved to a middle seat--or for me even a window seat. I really only sit in aisle seats and would prefer the back of the plane in an aisle over a window/middle in the front.
Ideally they would be able to program the upgrade system to allow for an option like "upgrade me only if an aisle seat is available." I'm sure this would not be complicated to program, though we are talking about Delta.
I'm wondering what the real benefit is for Delta in this? I don't buy the inventory control thing someone else mentioned.
I will add my voice to the many others who would be very concerned about being moved to a middle seat--or for me even a window seat. I really only sit in aisle seats and would prefer the back of the plane in an aisle over a window/middle in the front.
Ideally they would be able to program the upgrade system to allow for an option like "upgrade me only if an aisle seat is available." I'm sure this would not be complicated to program, though we are talking about Delta.
I'm wondering what the real benefit is for Delta in this? I don't buy the inventory control thing someone else mentioned.
Nov 8, 2015, 8:43 pm
#40
formerly wchinchen
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Honolulu
Programs: AA CK, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,291
Might be bad....
This could be a bad thing if they treat the C+ certificates like RUCs; in that only certain routes qualify/limited inventory. I could see certificates not being applicable for any international flights, LAX-JFK, HNL-ATL....etc.
To take this one step further, in the future, they may make C+ seat selection like complimentary first class upgrades at T-5d, T-3d..... It is based on available W(Up) inventory. Which we all know means near zero chance of getting it on the flight you want. I have a feeling they will slowly and quietly take away complimentary selection of C+ seats all together for PM/DMs also, and just give them more certificates. They will end selling discounted C+ seats till T-1hour versus a complimentary upgrade.
If they want to squeeze more money out of people, then the above will happen.
To take this one step further, in the future, they may make C+ seat selection like complimentary first class upgrades at T-5d, T-3d..... It is based on available W(Up) inventory. Which we all know means near zero chance of getting it on the flight you want. I have a feeling they will slowly and quietly take away complimentary selection of C+ seats all together for PM/DMs also, and just give them more certificates. They will end selling discounted C+ seats till T-1hour versus a complimentary upgrade.
If they want to squeeze more money out of people, then the above will happen.
Nov 8, 2015, 9:04 pm
#41
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
Nov 8, 2015, 9:55 pm
#42
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Canada
Programs: AS, DL, UA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 2,574
How do you think it would work if a GM purchased a C+ fare or upgraded with certificate, when it comes to the SDC policy? Does W have to be available? This might be a huge benefit because DL does not have several fare classes for C+. Essentially, if a C+ seat (W class) is available, then you can SDC for free?
Nov 8, 2015, 10:19 pm
#43
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: RDU (formerly CVG, DAY)
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 89
I just noticed that you will get 150% MQMs when flying on a purchased W fare (Delta Comfort +). It looks like DL is making it more like a Premium Economy product with bonus miles, free alcoholic beverages, premium snacks & entertainment...
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ith-delta.html
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ith-delta.html
Nov 8, 2015, 10:30 pm
#45
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: RDU (formerly CVG, DAY)
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 89