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
Dec 4, 2015, 5:50 am
#1246
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: AA, DAL, blah, blah, blah...The usual.
Posts: 646
For flights after 16 May, you cannot select C+ when you make your reservation, unless you pay cash for the upgrade. Complimentary upgrades will be made available based on the lowest-status passenger on your PNR. If your flying partner has no status, you have no status and are not eligible for complimentary C+.
Dec 4, 2015, 6:43 am
#1247
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DFW or Somewhere Else
Programs: UA Plt /Delta DM/ Marriott Platinum Prem./Hilton Diamond / Hyatt Globalist /Hertz PS / National EE
Posts: 1,107
Delta is in a fine position to do whatever it wants. Everyone on here hates it, but no one actually votes with a wallet.
Dec 4, 2015, 7:04 am
#1249
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
I think what we're seeing is the direct consequence of rushing a marketing- and RM-driven idea into practice, without giving much if any consideration to either the hypothetical what-ifs or the range of customer perceptions, and coupled with their omnipresent relatively non-robust IT
Dec 4, 2015, 7:06 am
#1250
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,807
The status of the lowest-status person on the PNR determines everyone's upgrade eligibility.
For flights after 16 May, you cannot select C+ when you make your reservation, unless you pay cash for the upgrade. Complimentary upgrades will be made available based on the lowest-status passenger on your PNR. If your flying partner has no status, you have no status and are not eligible for complimentary C+.
For flights after 16 May, you cannot select C+ when you make your reservation, unless you pay cash for the upgrade. Complimentary upgrades will be made available based on the lowest-status passenger on your PNR. If your flying partner has no status, you have no status and are not eligible for complimentary C+.
When will my Complimentary Upgrade to Delta Comfort+ clear if I’m traveling with a companion?
The clearance of you and your traveling companion for Delta Comfort+ will be based on the clearance window of the lowest level SkyMiles Member status in your reservation. If your companion is a General Member, you and your companion will be cleared no sooner than 24 hours in advance of departure.
The clearance of you and your traveling companion for Delta Comfort+ will be based on the clearance window of the lowest level SkyMiles Member status in your reservation. If your companion is a General Member, you and your companion will be cleared no sooner than 24 hours in advance of departure.
Note: I'm also going to add a link to the FAQ page to the wiki.
Dec 4, 2015, 7:09 am
#1251
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: delta dm
Posts: 1,677
Hub captives cant do much but im predicting most out station people will get smart and gain status on other airlines (delta loses revenue) and start booking away if traveling with family (delta loses revenue) where they can get the extra leg room at time of purchase for themselves and a traveling companion. Then if all remains equal and delta doesnt change the c+ rules i believe most will leave. Delta is dead wrong on this. I see a roll back as May 16 gets closer.
Dec 4, 2015, 7:15 am
#1252
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
Hub captives cant do much but im predicting most out station people will get smart and gain status on other airlines (delta loses revenue) and start booking away if traveling with family (delta loses revenue) where they can get the extra leg room at time of purchase for themselves and a traveling companion. Then if all remains equal and delta doesnt change the c+ rules i believe most will leave. Delta is dead wrong on this. I see a roll back as May 16 gets closer.
Dec 4, 2015, 8:41 am
#1253
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
No, they'll oversell C-, and (if necessary) "op-up" people into C+.
Dec 4, 2015, 8:44 am
#1254
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
Ok, but if the fare classes used to be X-10, V-10, U-10, T-10 ... (You get the point) and all the coach fares added up to (for the sake of math) 100, now you add in a fare class (above Y?) that is 20 seats. So now the seats for economy are 20% fewer. I would equate that to a 20% fare hike.
Dec 4, 2015, 9:08 am
#1255
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, DL DM, UA 1K, MR PP
Posts: 352
Sort of a workaround to sit together. DM flying with non status companion.
If DM upgrade clears, keep the upgrade do not call and reassign seats.
When companion clears into a middle seat in E+ sit in the aisle or window seat next to them. When XXC or D shows up, hand them your FC Boarding Pass and hope they don't mid swimming upstream a few rows for a wider seat.
This obviously assumes the DM clears, but when I travel with companions, its rarely on peak travel days so this would work well for me.
If DM upgrade clears, keep the upgrade do not call and reassign seats.
When companion clears into a middle seat in E+ sit in the aisle or window seat next to them. When XXC or D shows up, hand them your FC Boarding Pass and hope they don't mid swimming upstream a few rows for a wider seat.
This obviously assumes the DM clears, but when I travel with companions, its rarely on peak travel days so this would work well for me.
Dec 4, 2015, 9:42 am
#1256
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,458
The status of the lowest-status person on the PNR determines everyone's upgrade eligibility.
For flights after 16 May, you cannot select C+ when you make your reservation, unless you pay cash for the upgrade. Complimentary upgrades will be made available based on the lowest-status passenger on your PNR. If your flying partner has no status, you have no status and are not eligible for complimentary C+.
For flights after 16 May, you cannot select C+ when you make your reservation, unless you pay cash for the upgrade. Complimentary upgrades will be made available based on the lowest-status passenger on your PNR. If your flying partner has no status, you have no status and are not eligible for complimentary C+.
Dec 4, 2015, 10:30 am
#1257
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,807
Sort of a workaround to sit together. DM flying with non status companion.
If DM upgrade clears, keep the upgrade do not call and reassign seats.
When companion clears into a middle seat in E+ sit in the aisle or window seat next to them. When XXC or D shows up, hand them your FC Boarding Pass and hope they don't mid swimming upstream a few rows for a wider seat.
This obviously assumes the DM clears, but when I travel with companions, its rarely on peak travel days so this would work well for me.
If DM upgrade clears, keep the upgrade do not call and reassign seats.
When companion clears into a middle seat in E+ sit in the aisle or window seat next to them. When XXC or D shows up, hand them your FC Boarding Pass and hope they don't mid swimming upstream a few rows for a wider seat.
This obviously assumes the DM clears, but when I travel with companions, its rarely on peak travel days so this would work well for me.
Dec 4, 2015, 11:03 am
#1258
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: IND
Programs: DL DM, SPG AMB, National EE
Posts: 1,301
I'm very disappointed in this. I do not see a middle seat in C+ as an "upgrade" AT ALL over an aisle (or even window) somewhere farther back. This is a huge devaluation of status for me. And now when I travel with my family I may as well have no status at all. Which means I should shop based on price and convenience instead of loyalty.
Dec 4, 2015, 10:57 pm
#1260
Join Date: Mar 2004
Programs: DL PM, DL MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG
Posts: 804
I'm very disappointed in this. I do not see a middle seat in C+ as an "upgrade" AT ALL over an aisle (or even window) somewhere farther back. This is a huge devaluation of status for me. And now when I travel with my family I may as well have no status at all. Which means I should shop based on price and convenience instead of loyalty.
In my situation, I often find that American normally has lower fares and good flight times, so I'll go with what's best for the specific situation, no longer focusing my business on Delta.
This shows Delta is more concerned with revenue fees from the kettles, many of whom fly once or twice a year…..who are surprised and later disappointed they paid more for seat that is just as narrow as the ones in the back of the plane…..but because there are so many people who fly only once or twice a year……. that pool of candidates paying C+ fees could last a long time.
Last edited by cmh flyer; Dec 4, 2015 at 11:14 pm