Delta to change 1st/C+ upgrades for two based on highest medallion level
Oct 13, 2016, 8:26 am
#616
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: RDU
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 44
It's only in situations where tickets are award/PWM with a companion that is SM (sky miles member) where the PNR is ineligible for upgrades. (UGH.)
The PM/GM situation above makes sense for clearing to C+.
I'm not sure how I feel about that rule - I feel like there should be consistency for the upgrade rules whether the companion has Medallion status or not. Or maybe I'm just mad I can't be in C+ for MSP-HND
Oct 13, 2016, 8:36 am
#617
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
It's looking to me already like C+ is now leisure couples class with few seats available as "upgrades" for elite business travelers. This will make many people very unhappy if DL doesn't expand the size of its C+ noncabins.
Oct 13, 2016, 8:38 am
#618
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
With this new change, it seems that two Medallions on an award ticket clear at the higher level whereas a Medallion and non-medallion on an award ticket are not eligible.
Oct 13, 2016, 8:39 am
#619
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
Regular ticket for a short hop JFK-BUF on the last day of the year; wife has no status, I'm PM; looks like it automatically cleared into C+, also shows "upgrade requested".
If I were on my own I would expect to clear into FC on that flight, so we'll see what happens with a +1.
If I were on my own I would expect to clear into FC on that flight, so we'll see what happens with a +1.
Here's the kicker though, I didn't requalify for 2017 so come April, I'll hold no status. Will they claw back the upgrade? Seems like because C+ is a separate booking code (and not just a selected seat) I'd be safe, even in an equip swap but any thoughts from the FT sages?
Oct 13, 2016, 8:41 am
#620
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,198
This is back to how it was prior to C+ being considered an 'upgrade' however... able to select C+ seat at booking. In fact it isn't even back to that point, since you can only 'upgrade' 1 companion, whereas previously you could bring up to 9 pax on the same PNR into an EC seat.
Oct 13, 2016, 8:42 am
#621
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Also, I would not be surprised to see greater inventory control in the future. Right now it seems that any C+ seat that is open is available for upgrade as long as the medallion is within their window (right away for DM/PM). I'd expect this to change at some point and see DL hold some for sale.
Oct 13, 2016, 8:47 am
#622
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 396
2 Medallions on an award ticket are upgraded because they would be eligible anyway! A general member would not be eligible individually and was not previously eligible as a companion on award ticket... so why should they be now?
Oct 13, 2016, 9:19 am
#623
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
It is completely consistent. There seems to be confusion here.
2 Medallions on an award ticket are upgraded because they would be eligible anyway! A general member would not be eligible individually and was not previously eligible as a companion on award ticket... so why should they be now?
2 Medallions on an award ticket are upgraded because they would be eligible anyway! A general member would not be eligible individually and was not previously eligible as a companion on award ticket... so why should they be now?
Another option: You do need to at least have a sky miles account to get a companion upgrade. For the case in question, maybe the companion had no account at all?
Oct 13, 2016, 9:25 am
#624
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 396
But I would not be eligible before 72 as a GM, but was upgraded months in advance with my PM husband, on an award ticket. If I had not had any status, would we not have been upgraded?
Another option: You do need to at least have a sky miles account to get a companion upgrade. For the case in question, maybe the companion had no account at all?
Another option: You do need to at least have a sky miles account to get a companion upgrade. For the case in question, maybe the companion had no account at all?
Oct 13, 2016, 9:29 am
#625
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 317
The point is that with the glaring exception of Thursday night and possibly Sunday night, the common travel period for business versus leisure travel don't line up very often.
Oct 13, 2016, 9:37 am
#626
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Not just times, but the destinations are often different (with major destinations like NYC or ORD being an exception).
Oct 13, 2016, 9:42 am
#627
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,413
But I would not be eligible before 72 as a GM, but was upgraded months in advance with my PM husband, on an award ticket. If I had not had any status, would we not have been upgraded?
Another option: You do need to at least have a sky miles account to get a companion upgrade. For the case in question, maybe the companion had no account at all?
Another option: You do need to at least have a sky miles account to get a companion upgrade. For the case in question, maybe the companion had no account at all?
Oct 13, 2016, 9:48 am
#628
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,630
And I don't think it should matter if it is an elite leisure traveler class or an elite business traveler class. As long as the Elite earns the benefit, there should be no difference.
Oct 13, 2016, 11:10 am
#629
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7
Does anyone have experience since the change was enacted when the status member (PM) is on a different reservation than the general member? I called Delta and they "connected" (?) our PNRs, but there's no option on dl.com for my fiance to request an upgrade to C+ for the legs on which our trips overlap.
Oct 13, 2016, 11:19 am
#630
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
Does anyone have experience since the change was enacted when the status member (PM) is on a different reservation than the general member? I called Delta and they "connected" (?) our PNRs, but there's no option on dl.com for my fiance to request an upgrade to C+ for the legs on which our trips overlap.
The "connecting" you mention is a typed note in your records that is only referenced in case of IRROPs etc. (When it is relevant for agents to know you want the same itinerary as another passenger)