Using Delta Global Upgrade (GUC) with KLM Consolidated
#286
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
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Gave you tried pricing on AF.com. The issue is likely that DL is not offering a PE fare. AFAIK all AF metal long haul has PE. ONCE purchase PE from AF, call DL and they can apply..
#287
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ATL/DFW
Programs: Delta PM, SPG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, AVIS Preferred Plus
Posts: 388
Ok. Thanks for the suggestion. AF website is not showing any PE seats. Only Business and Economy. Also should the ticket be issued as Delta Ticket? If I call AF, it would be a AF ticket and the delta agent has to reissue it ?
#288
#289
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,492
Heading to FCO in a couple of weeks MSP-AMS-FCO RT all KLM legs on KLM ticket. Picked up a super cheap ~$600 fare last year on a whim not knowing whether we would make it or not. Well, we are so called today to upgrade the outbound legs (3 passengers) to Business. The agent first confirmed that space was available, I saw the business legs show up in my confirmation but after an agonizing hold came back and said that KLM Light fare was not eligible.
However a quick read of the T&Cs state that Both V (MSP-AMS) and L (AMS-FCO) are valid classes to upgrade to Z. Is this a HUCA scenario?
However a quick read of the T&Cs state that Both V (MSP-AMS) and L (AMS-FCO) are valid classes to upgrade to Z. Is this a HUCA scenario?
FYI, I tried with a Light fare last week and was told it was ineligible. HUCA and same result. HUCA and the agent processed the GUCs for me. So try a few times if there is Z space available and you might get lucky.
#290
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,357
Delta / KLM using SWU questions
Ok i have read back a handful of pages and still confused on being able to use Delta SWU on mixed Delta/KLM Metal flights. Seeing terms as married flights etc.
Example:
MSP-AMS-DXB
MSP-AMS (Delta Metal)
AMS-DXB (KLM Metal)
Questions:
Do i need to have a DL or KLM flight number on the AMS-DXB flight? DLxxx/KLMxxx or DLxxx/DLxxxx
When searching expertflyer do i need Z space to show on both legs before i can book on KLM?
- Space shows Z9 when searching AMS-DXB but shows Z0 msp-ams-dxb.
Delta.com show space MSP-AMS but will not show anything for ams-dxb.
Thanks in advance as this is probably a novice question for most.
-dave
Example:
MSP-AMS-DXB
MSP-AMS (Delta Metal)
AMS-DXB (KLM Metal)
Questions:
Do i need to have a DL or KLM flight number on the AMS-DXB flight? DLxxx/KLMxxx or DLxxx/DLxxxx
When searching expertflyer do i need Z space to show on both legs before i can book on KLM?
- Space shows Z9 when searching AMS-DXB but shows Z0 msp-ams-dxb.
Delta.com show space MSP-AMS but will not show anything for ams-dxb.
Thanks in advance as this is probably a novice question for most.
-dave
#291
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,492
Ok i have read back a handful of pages and still confused on being able to use Delta SWU on mixed Delta/KLM Metal flights. Seeing terms as married flights etc.
Example:
MSP-AMS-DXB
MSP-AMS (Delta Metal)
AMS-DXB (KLM Metal)
Questions:
Do i need to have a DL or KLM flight number on the AMS-DXB flight? DLxxx/KLMxxx or DLxxx/DLxxxx
When searching expertflyer do i need Z space to show on both legs before i can book on KLM?
- Space shows Z9 when searching AMS-DXB but shows Z0 msp-ams-dxb.
Delta.com show space MSP-AMS but will not show anything for ams-dxb.
Thanks in advance as this is probably a novice question for most.
-dave
Example:
MSP-AMS-DXB
MSP-AMS (Delta Metal)
AMS-DXB (KLM Metal)
Questions:
Do i need to have a DL or KLM flight number on the AMS-DXB flight? DLxxx/KLMxxx or DLxxx/DLxxxx
When searching expertflyer do i need Z space to show on both legs before i can book on KLM?
- Space shows Z9 when searching AMS-DXB but shows Z0 msp-ams-dxb.
Delta.com show space MSP-AMS but will not show anything for ams-dxb.
Thanks in advance as this is probably a novice question for most.
-dave
#292
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,040
My understanding is that the Delta-operated flight (MSP-AMS) will make this whole trip ineligible because PS is offered on that leg. You will need to look for MSP-AMS-DXB where both legs are operated by KLM and Z class is available. The DL/KL flight numbers don't matter. If you buy from delta.com you will get DL flight numbers that are converted to KL flight numbers when the GUCs are processed. If you buy from KLM you will keep KL flight numbers. The key is finding dates when you see Z class availability on only KLM metal.
However if bought in Y, the KLM operated segment can still be upgraded to Business. The fact the DL segment can't is irrelevant.
#294
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
Nothing in the T&C for GUCs says KLM Light fares aren't eligible. However there must be something in the internal instructions the agents read that prohibits these fares just like a BE fare is prohibited on Delta.
FYI, I tried with a Light fare last week and was told it was ineligible. HUCA and same result. HUCA and the agent processed the GUCs for me.
FYI, I tried with a Light fare last week and was told it was ineligible. HUCA and same result. HUCA and the agent processed the GUCs for me.
Will probably go ahead with the standard fare just to be safe.
#295
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,492
Wrestling with booking light vs econ right now. The GUC T&Cs do state upgrades are from "Main Cabin" fares. KL light fare would map to Basic Econ, not Main Cabin. Also, KL does not use a separate booking code to distinguish "light" fares, so a standard or light fare could be booked in V class (or another economy booking code).
Will probably go ahead with the standard fare just to be safe.
Will probably go ahead with the standard fare just to be safe.
#296
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
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No one appears to be able to answer this question. Can we use GUCs on KLM award tickets booked with SkyMiles? If so, does it have to be DL-coded? or can it be KL-coded, too?
#297
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,492
You can't use GUCs on KLM-operated flights when you book with award miles (either SkyMiles or FB). GUCs on KLM metal always process into Z class, which is a revenue fare class.
#298
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: AF/KL Gold, DL Diamond, Hertz PC, Bonvoy Gold Elite; Hilton Gold
Posts: 996
It’s been mentioned quite a few places but just to clarify no you can only use GUCs to upgrade on Delta metal.
#299
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 160
If you want to apply the GUCs on the first call without wasting time, and potentially seeing the Z space disappear, go for the standard fare. If you're willing to call a few times to try to save some money (in my case $150), then go with the light fare. Remember you have 1 day to cancel an itinerary for a full refund on klm.com. So if you can't get an agent to apply the GUC to a KLM light fare within a day, you can always cancel the flight with KLM for a full refund and then rebook it on delta.com to make things simple.
#300
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM 1MM, AA Plat 2 MM, Marriott Ambassador & LTP, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 264
I was just able to upgrade a flight (BER-AMS-JFK) via chat. Lots of wait times, but they proactively engaged the Global Partner Desk and got it done. New PNR (Delta), New 006 ticket #, and I went selected seats via klm.com after.