May 27, 18, 12:36 pm
Last edit by: audidudi
DRAFT WIKI: I've started this on May 27, 2018 as a first pass, but need to pull more info from the rest of the thread. Feel free to add!
What flights are eligible to be upgraded?
As relevant to this thread, original booking must be:
- DL ticketed (006 stock)
- DL marketed (DL flight #)
- VS operated
NOTE ON MIXED CABIN BOOKINGS: If you are booked in coach for a domestic portion on Delta and then connecting to a VS Premium Economy segment, and trying to upgrade only the VS PE segment with DL miles, the upgrade request may be rejected by Virgin when the DL agent attempt to process it. Ask to be transferred to the international reissue desk. Explain that they will need to remove the domestic coach portion of your flight, then process the upgrade, and then reattach the domestic Y portion. VS will accept the upgrade only when the coach segment has been removed, and this all needs to be done manually by Delta.
How do I know mileage upgrade space is available?
You can either call Delta and ask the agent to check or check online. If you are going to call, see note below about how to explain this to the phone agent. Or, follow instructions in the next section to check inventory online.
X
Checking online In advance:
- Upgrades on VS pull from the same inventory as award bookings. Upgrading to Upper Class requires G class inventory, upgrading to Premium Economy requires P class inventory. Note these are Virgin fare classes that will not display on delta.com. Delta's G and P fare classes are different and should not be considered for this purpose. Only a subset of G class inventory (and presumably also of P class inventory) is available for upgrades, so merely finding G availability via the Delta or Virgin websites, or via ExpertFlyer or other sources, does not necessarily mean an upgrade will be available. Unfortunately there is no public data source that can be used to double-check what Delta agents tell you about availability.
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At the Airport Day of Depature:
How do I request the upgrade?
What should I see if/when my upgrade is correctly processed?
Need more information on reticketing, seat selection, etc.
How much do upgrades cost?
Reports of upgrade costs are as follows (current as of May 2018):
- US<>UK, PE>UC = 25k RDM each way
- US<>UK, Y>UC = ???? each way
- US<>UK, Y>PE = ???? each way
When going from Y to PE/UC, you may need to pay the UK luxury tax (in USD or GBP) for flights exiting the UK.
When going from PE to UC, the luxury tax should not apply as it has already been charged on the PE fare.
A note about earning miles
Your upgraded ticket should still earn DL RDMs/MQMs/MQDs based on the originally purchased fare. However, the systems regularly get confused because the rebooked ticket will be identified as VS award inventory, ineligible for mileage earnings.
Keep your original (non-upgraded) receipt and monitor your miles earnings carefully. Calls or written requests via DL.com comments/complaints will result in proper mileage earnings being applied, but you may need to be persistent.
Need information about crediting flights to VS or other programs.
What flights are eligible to be upgraded?
As relevant to this thread, original booking must be:
- DL ticketed (006 stock)
- DL marketed (DL flight #)
- VS operated
NOTE ON MIXED CABIN BOOKINGS: If you are booked in coach for a domestic portion on Delta and then connecting to a VS Premium Economy segment, and trying to upgrade only the VS PE segment with DL miles, the upgrade request may be rejected by Virgin when the DL agent attempt to process it. Ask to be transferred to the international reissue desk. Explain that they will need to remove the domestic coach portion of your flight, then process the upgrade, and then reattach the domestic Y portion. VS will accept the upgrade only when the coach segment has been removed, and this all needs to be done manually by Delta.
How do I know mileage upgrade space is available?
You can either call Delta and ask the agent to check or check online. If you are going to call, see note below about how to explain this to the phone agent. Or, follow instructions in the next section to check inventory online.
X
Checking online In advance:
- Upgrades on VS pull from the same inventory as award bookings. Upgrading to Upper Class requires G class inventory, upgrading to Premium Economy requires P class inventory. Note these are Virgin fare classes that will not display on delta.com. Delta's G and P fare classes are different and should not be considered for this purpose. Only a subset of G class inventory (and presumably also of P class inventory) is available for upgrades, so merely finding G availability via the Delta or Virgin websites, or via ExpertFlyer or other sources, does not necessarily mean an upgrade will be available. Unfortunately there is no public data source that can be used to double-check what Delta agents tell you about availability.
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- Waitlisting is not available for mileage upgrades on Virgin Atlantic or any other partner flights.
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At the Airport Day of Depature:
- VS regularly offers DOD upgrades at the airport.
- Upgrades are available for cash (generally not the best value at ~$800 one way) or VS miles (same # miles as advance upgrades).
- DOD upgrades using miles can only be done with VS miles, not Delta Sky Miles.
- VS miles can be transferred from Amex MR. Transfer is usually instantaneous if you have linked your MR/VS accounts in advance, but as always Amex does not guarantee this so there is some risk involved in relying on the transfer while at the airport.
How do I request the upgrade?
- You'll need to call Delta. Be prepared to spend some time and persistence, and HUCA if necessary. Know that agents are likely to be confused about this, so be patient and call when you have time for them to research this and possibly speak with a supervisor.
- Consider saying something along these lines to the phone agent to help clue them in that this may be something they need to look up or get help with: "I am calling to upgrade, using Sky Miles, my Virgin Atlantic flight that I booked through Delta. I understand that this is a newer benefit that is now available through the Delta/Virgin Atlantic join-venture. I know from previously calling that this is not something all agents do regularly, so thanks so much for helping me figure this out."
- Remind the agent to check the VS flight # (not DL #) for upgrade space. Many agents may tell you you are already in a premium cabin if you're booked in VS PE, without realizing that DL's G class is not the same as VS's G class. Some may also insist that it is not possible to upgrade a VS flight with Sky Miles (it was not possible before July 2017). Be polite, but ask for a supervisor.
- Agents seem to find the correct instructions about all this when they look up the DL/VS joint venture notes in whatever system they use.
- Waitlisting is not available for mileage upgrades on Virgin Atlantic or any other partner flights.
What should I see if/when my upgrade is correctly processed?
- Your upgraded flight will now be a VS-marketed flight #.
- You will be rebooked into the appropriate VS fare class.
Need more information on reticketing, seat selection, etc.
How much do upgrades cost?
Reports of upgrade costs are as follows (current as of May 2018):
- US<>UK, PE>UC = 25k RDM each way
- US<>UK, Y>UC = ???? each way
- US<>UK, Y>PE = ???? each way
When going from Y to PE/UC, you may need to pay the UK luxury tax (in USD or GBP) for flights exiting the UK.
When going from PE to UC, the luxury tax should not apply as it has already been charged on the PE fare.
A note about earning miles
Your upgraded ticket should still earn DL RDMs/MQMs/MQDs based on the originally purchased fare. However, the systems regularly get confused because the rebooked ticket will be identified as VS award inventory, ineligible for mileage earnings.
Keep your original (non-upgraded) receipt and monitor your miles earnings carefully. Calls or written requests via DL.com comments/complaints will result in proper mileage earnings being applied, but you may need to be persistent.
Need information about crediting flights to VS or other programs.
Definitive Thread: Use Sky Miles to upgrade on VS
Jan 15, 22, 8:40 pm
#211
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM | Bonvoy Ti | Amex Plat, Rose Gold, SkyMiles Reserve | Bonvoy Boundless | CSP
Posts: 7
Oh nice, thanks for the info. Great that they’re working on it.
Jan 23, 22, 8:55 am
#212
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM | Bonvoy Ti | Amex Plat, Rose Gold, SkyMiles Reserve | Bonvoy Boundless | CSP
Posts: 7
Long story short/DP: successful use of GUCs into VS Upper Class, in Z class with connections. Searched married segments in EF then DL and VS which show miles booking into G class.
Long story, steps taken: our original booking is thru AF ATL-CDG-GVA, CDG-ATL (credited to my SM number), with GUCs confirmed into Z and OY, respectively. CDG-ATL was direct in D1, but we had equipment and schedule changes on both TATL legs, then I noticed VS is flying the A350-1000 LHR-ATL, and I’ve been wanting to fly their new Upper Class. So here’s what I did:
Long story, steps taken: our original booking is thru AF ATL-CDG-GVA, CDG-ATL (credited to my SM number), with GUCs confirmed into Z and OY, respectively. CDG-ATL was direct in D1, but we had equipment and schedule changes on both TATL legs, then I noticed VS is flying the A350-1000 LHR-ATL, and I’ve been wanting to fly their new Upper Class. So here’s what I did:
- I searched EF CDG-ATL via LHR and it showed the married segments CDG-LHR on AF and LHR-ATL on VS (including LHR-ATL AF flight nos.). But there was no G availability on EF due to the issue ajggiant mentioned (shout out - thank you). EF shows Z9 on AF CDG-LHR, so we are at least good on that leg.
- Next, I searched DL LHR-ATL x2 pax on miles and it showed booking into G class.
- Then I checked VS for the same - LHR-ATL x2, and it returned G class as well.
- I called/messaged DL, two reps were unable to find the space on VS. HUCA and got a third agent who knew what to do once I mentioned seeing G space on DL and VS. He needed to call the international ticketing desk, and after an hour hold there we are all set in VS Upper Class, fare class Z. Three agents and over 2.5 hours to get it done, but it’s done!
Jan 23, 22, 3:08 pm
#213
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: DL DM, FB Plat
Posts: 282
I spent 3 hours finding the perfect combination of VS flights (on DL ticket stock) that are cheap in Premium Economy and have G class available for a mileage upgrade award.
Confirmed upgrade availability through iMessage, then booked and called the Diamond line to process the upgrade.
No upgrades available on both flights even though G class is available on EF, Delta Award search and VS Award search. I guess those are G class seats only for awards not mileage upgrades.
Most frustrating experience in a long time for sure
Confirmed upgrade availability through iMessage, then booked and called the Diamond line to process the upgrade.
No upgrades available on both flights even though G class is available on EF, Delta Award search and VS Award search. I guess those are G class seats only for awards not mileage upgrades.
Most frustrating experience in a long time for sure
Jan 24, 22, 4:55 am
#214
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 4,988
Long story short/DP: successful use of GUCs into VS Upper Class, in Z class with connections. Searched married segments in EF then DL and VS which show miles booking into G class.
Long story, steps taken: our original booking is thru AF ATL-CDG-GVA, CDG-ATL (credited to my SM number), with GUCs confirmed into Z and OY, respectively. CDG-ATL was direct in D1, but we had equipment and schedule changes on both TATL legs, then I noticed VS is flying the A350-1000 LHR-ATL, and I’ve been wanting to fly their new Upper Class. So here’s what I did:
Long story, steps taken: our original booking is thru AF ATL-CDG-GVA, CDG-ATL (credited to my SM number), with GUCs confirmed into Z and OY, respectively. CDG-ATL was direct in D1, but we had equipment and schedule changes on both TATL legs, then I noticed VS is flying the A350-1000 LHR-ATL, and I’ve been wanting to fly their new Upper Class. So here’s what I did:
- I searched EF CDG-ATL via LHR and it showed the married segments CDG-LHR on AF and LHR-ATL on VS (including LHR-ATL AF flight nos.). But there was no G availability on EF due to the issue ajggiant mentioned (shout out - thank you). EF shows Z9 on AF CDG-LHR, so we are at least good on that leg.
- Next, I searched DL LHR-ATL x2 pax on miles and it showed booking into G class.
- Then I checked VS for the same - LHR-ATL x2, and it returned G class as well.
- I called/messaged DL, two reps were unable to find the space on VS. HUCA and got a third agent who knew what to do once I mentioned seeing G space on DL and VS. He needed to call the international ticketing desk, and after an hour hold there we are all set in VS Upper Class, fare class Z. Three agents and over 2.5 hours to get it done, but it’s done!
Feb 10, 22, 11:32 am
#215
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Delta Diamond
Posts: 93
Had success with using 25k miles to upgrade a ticket which I had booked onto 057 stock. (I had done that so the return could be AF coded, and I was hoping the OTA would use 006 -but it worked out). They took control of the ticket and reissued it onto 006, so a win all around. First time in Upper class - excited!
Feb 10, 22, 12:54 pm
#216
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 230
Had success with using 25k miles to upgrade a ticket which I had booked onto 057 stock. (I had done that so the return could be AF coded, and I was hoping the OTA would use 006 -but it worked out). They took control of the ticket and reissued it onto 006, so a win all around. First time in Upper class - excited!
Feb 10, 22, 1:14 pm
#217
Join Date: Jul 2020
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 44
You were put into VS fare class Z, not VS fare class G? In the past VS upgrades have processed into fare class G (it's KL and AF upgrades that process into Z). If you were put into Z on a VS-operated flight and haven't been reticketed yet, there's a chance you could run into problems when the reservation is reticketed.
Feb 10, 22, 7:23 pm
#218
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Delta Diamond
Posts: 93
Yes, PE to Upper. I didn't upgrade the AF flight - unsure if I can do that through AF with flying blue miles. In any case I might change the return flight after departure depending on how my schedule works out, so I'm not looking into upgrading it quite yet
Mar 8, 22, 10:24 am
#221
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,023
Looking at a potential upcoming business trip to London. If I do book with DL flight numbers for PE it appears that it will book me into W for the domestic legs and G for the DL-marketed, VS-operated flight over the pond (fare basis: GKJX20P2/APA12).
Based on what I am reading in this thread and from the T&Cs, I should be able to upgrade on that flight if space becomes available in the VS "G" bucket? Will it go all the way to the gate if there are empty seats?
I know they haven't been releasing really any G space and there is none of this flight right now but about 6 weeks out there are maybe 2 J seats booked and EF Is showing:
J9 C9 D9 I5 Z0 and J9 C9 D9 I9 Z9 C9 D9 I9 Z9 for the two outbound options I'm looking at (9pm and 645pm respectively)
Based on what I am reading in this thread and from the T&Cs, I should be able to upgrade on that flight if space becomes available in the VS "G" bucket? Will it go all the way to the gate if there are empty seats?
I know they haven't been releasing really any G space and there is none of this flight right now but about 6 weeks out there are maybe 2 J seats booked and EF Is showing:
J9 C9 D9 I5 Z0 and J9 C9 D9 I9 Z9 C9 D9 I9 Z9 for the two outbound options I'm looking at (9pm and 645pm respectively)
Apr 15, 22, 7:27 pm
#222
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Detroit
Programs: Delta, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 177
Flying DTW-JFK-MAN-JFK-DTW purchased on delta.com
The JFK-MAN segments are Q fares on VS. I am waiting on a callback to ask about upgrading them with miles to something better than Economy Classic. I don't fly international that much and most of this thread reads like random letters to me but my sense is most of the posts are oriented toward upgrading higher fare class tickets to something even higher. How many miles to go from EC to Premium? I paid a fortune for these flights - why is flying to England from Detroit so expensive??
I'm PM not that it matters for this.
The JFK-MAN segments are Q fares on VS. I am waiting on a callback to ask about upgrading them with miles to something better than Economy Classic. I don't fly international that much and most of this thread reads like random letters to me but my sense is most of the posts are oriented toward upgrading higher fare class tickets to something even higher. How many miles to go from EC to Premium? I paid a fortune for these flights - why is flying to England from Detroit so expensive??
I'm PM not that it matters for this.
Apr 16, 22, 12:25 pm
#223
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Detroit
Programs: Delta, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 177
Flying DTW-JFK-MAN-JFK-DTW purchased on delta.com
The JFK-MAN segments are Q fares on VS. I am waiting on a callback to ask about upgrading them with miles to something better than Economy Classic. I don't fly international that much and most of this thread reads like random letters to me but my sense is most of the posts are oriented toward upgrading higher fare class tickets to something even higher. How many miles to go from EC to Premium? I paid a fortune for these flights - why is flying to England from Detroit so expensive??
I'm PM not that it matters for this.
The JFK-MAN segments are Q fares on VS. I am waiting on a callback to ask about upgrading them with miles to something better than Economy Classic. I don't fly international that much and most of this thread reads like random letters to me but my sense is most of the posts are oriented toward upgrading higher fare class tickets to something even higher. How many miles to go from EC to Premium? I paid a fortune for these flights - why is flying to England from Detroit so expensive??
I'm PM not that it matters for this.
Apr 16, 22, 1:07 pm
#224
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: 26,071
So it was 65k miles to go from Economy Classic all the way to Upper Class. The rep initially quoted it as "business" which I interpreted as "Premium" and she ended the call telling me I now I had a UC seat for first leg. Sadly I did not have another 65k miles to get the return, having recently spent most of my bank to take the family to Maui.
Were you wanting Premium Economy? This is a different cabin, above coach, below Business.
Jul 19, 22, 7:49 pm
#225
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta, Hilton, Hertz
Posts: 430
Virgin upgrade with skymiles?
Hey guys. Booked via delta. Flight operated by virgin. Delta and virgin staff have told me I cannot upgrade to upper class with skymiles. Is this true?
booked currently in premium
booked currently in premium
