Are there really this many DMs?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,880
Are there really this many DMs?
After checking in for my Monday afternoon flight from ATL-PHL, I saw I was 11/40 on the upgrade list on a T fare. I realize T is a rather low fare, but I was surprised to see 10 people ahead of me on the upgrade list, especially on a flight that has plenty of inventory remaining (the lowest of which is Q). I DMed Delta on Twitter to confirm there wasn't a mistake (after all, upgrade ordering mistakes have happened to me before) and they responded that there was no mistake and no one was using an upgrade certificate.
Do others here have experience on this route? Is this a notoriously elite-heavy route, or is this an anomaly?
Do others here have experience on this route? Is this a notoriously elite-heavy route, or is this an anomaly?
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
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Don't forget DL's new UG policy that brings the upgrade priority to the person with the higher status now. So the 10 people ahead of you could have been anywhere from 10 DMs to 5 DMs with companions. And perhaps even a few PMs using RUCs on the list too.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,880
Good points although in this case no one above me appears to be companions since the first three of the last names are all different, and the Twitter agent confirmed no RUCs were being used.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
I don't think you can go by last names -- companion doesn't have to be a spouse and many couples have different last names anyway...
Last edited by TheMadBrewer; Feb 26, 2017 at 10:34 pm
#8
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
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#9
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,245
I was recently on a very high fare as a PM and 28th on the list LAX-ATL. Not sure how that compares to ATL-PHL but as a PM I don't even think about upgrades anymore since I fly predominately elite-heavy routes.
I used to travel with 8-10 other co-workers and the majority were top-tier status. So it could be a situation like that.
I used to travel with 8-10 other co-workers and the majority were top-tier status. So it could be a situation like that.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K MM, Subway Club Member
Posts: 1,989
T is on the lower end of the fare classes. There is a whole group of business travelers who book just a day or two in advance and are lucky if they get an H fare. To have 10 or so of them ex-ATL isn't suprising at all.
#11
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,988
Was 5/58 SFO-ATL yesterday on H fare. Didn't clear on the A330 with 1 seat in first.
As PM I never got upgraded when connecting thru ATL
As PM I never got upgraded when connecting thru ATL
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
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One's position is really, really going to vary by route, day of week, and time of flight. There are lots of business travelers on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Their (our?) travels are not randomly nor evenly distributed across the seven-day week.