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
Jul 20, 22, 3:37 pm
#241
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL 3 MM/DM, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,965
It used to be that you could set an alert for VS G inventory on Expert Flyer and be notified when G popped available. When I most recently looked at EF, it appears that can no longer be done with VS G inventory.
It has always been a complicated process, but seems like it has gotten even tighter following the Covid reset.
But to answer the basic question, it is something that you can do and it is actually a nice use of miles.
It has always been a complicated process, but seems like it has gotten even tighter following the Covid reset.
But to answer the basic question, it is something that you can do and it is actually a nice use of miles.
Jul 26, 22, 3:40 am
#242
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL DM/1MM, Natl Exec Elite, Bonvoy Plat, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diam
Posts: 379
They said this
since this flight is operated by Delta Codeshare partner Virgin Atlantic, we are unable to sell you an upgrade. Seat inventory is handled by the operating airline.
I really apologize, as much as I wanted to help you with it, we do not have an access to it. Would there be anything else?
since this flight is operated by Delta Codeshare partner Virgin Atlantic, we are unable to sell you an upgrade. Seat inventory is handled by the operating airline.
I really apologize, as much as I wanted to help you with it, we do not have an access to it. Would there be anything else?
Jul 26, 22, 3:43 am
#243
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL DM/1MM, Natl Exec Elite, Bonvoy Plat, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diam
Posts: 379
This is simply not true- almost never is. It almost never is when you call, but calling every day up until 3 hours prior to departure... I've never failed. Not sure this discouraging advice is helpful unless you're batting 0.00 somehow?
Jul 26, 22, 7:33 am
#244
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta, Hilton, Hertz
Posts: 430
The previous poster gave you great advice, but you may have glossed over the fine print, much like the Delta agent you spoke with. You are looking for a MUA -> Mileage Upgrade Award. Do not speak to anyone who doesn't know what this is. They still exist (probably limited time...) for international flights with JV partners, but were eliminated for domestic flights in 2016/2017 or so. Most of the agents you speak with today have no idea with a Mileage Upgrade Award is, so you will need to be persistent and/or HUCA.
Jul 26, 22, 2:09 pm
#245
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 2
I just did this for the first time. I upgraded an economy (K class) all the way to upper class, for 65,000 points. Premium economy was 35,000. I used the exact terminology as laid out above, and the agent went on hold to get help (I suspect). Unfortunately, the whole call took over 2 hours, as the agent had to get on the phone with Virgin to complete it once she knew what to do on the Delta end. Virgin had her on hold for a very long time, though she checked in with me frequently. One other point, there was some confusion over if tax was needed (not for me, coming from the US), but that was sorted before I hung up.
Aug 5, 22, 11:17 am
#246
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta, Hilton, Hertz
Posts: 430
The previous poster gave you great advice, but you may have glossed over the fine print, much like the Delta agent you spoke with. You are looking for a MUA -> Mileage Upgrade Award. Do not speak to anyone who doesn't know what this is. They still exist (probably limited time...) for international flights with JV partners, but were eliminated for domestic flights in 2016/2017 or so. Most of the agents you speak with today have no idea with a Mileage Upgrade Award is, so you will need to be persistent and/or HUCA.
Aug 10, 22, 10:54 am
#248
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 4,988
It is possible. ~5 years ago VS was pretty good about releasing some unsold inventory as awards (i.e. G class) close to departure, but I am not sure if that is the case as consistently any more now that Delta has been "helping" them run their business more.
Aug 10, 22, 11:06 am
#249
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta, Hilton, Hertz
Posts: 430
thanks. Flight is not for around 45 days. I couldn't tell if it was something where it made sense to call everyday to check if G is available. Or if it was better just to wait as the weeks close in.
Aug 18, 22, 9:40 am
#250
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 2
I saw inventory several weeks out, then didn't see inventory about two weeks out, then did see inventory about a week from the flight (looking at on VS website). So, at least in my case, waiting paid off. I also want to emphasize the part about getting the miles for the actual paid for fare after the fact; one call did not fix it (went back to denied), so I have to call again.
Oct 22, 22, 12:48 pm
#251
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL DM MM
Posts: 29
I just thought I would post about my recent experience to give folks another data point. About a month ago, I booked IAD-LHR-IAD on DL marketed, VS operated flights in Premium (A) for a trip next month. I also set up an upgrade alert in ExpertFlyer for G fare class on VS. I received an ExpertFlyer notification this morning about upgrade availability and immediately called DL and was able to upgrade to Upper Class for the IAD-LHR segment for 25K DL SkyMiles. I was honestly shocked at how smoothly the process went. Normally, I have to HUCA and/or spend an inordinate amount of time on the phone with an agent.
Oct 24, 22, 2:48 am
#252
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 70
I have an interesting data point and am looking for advice,
I found out this 25k upgrade is possible when my fiances flight was less than 24 hours out and checked in. I found that her flight had availability in G. On the third agent (chat, phone (disconnected), phone) I managed to get the upgrade processed! This is my fiances first time over the Atlantic so Im thrilled I can do this for her. I paid with my miles and the agent did great.
Now onto the issue / area of advice, the ticket has been reissued into G (I found the EXCH ticket to be sure) but the virgin website still shows her in premium with her original seat. Im going to call VS when they open but has anyone else been in this situation? Any recommendations?
I found out this 25k upgrade is possible when my fiances flight was less than 24 hours out and checked in. I found that her flight had availability in G. On the third agent (chat, phone (disconnected), phone) I managed to get the upgrade processed! This is my fiances first time over the Atlantic so Im thrilled I can do this for her. I paid with my miles and the agent did great.
Now onto the issue / area of advice, the ticket has been reissued into G (I found the EXCH ticket to be sure) but the virgin website still shows her in premium with her original seat. Im going to call VS when they open but has anyone else been in this situation? Any recommendations?
Oct 26, 22, 11:35 pm
#253
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 70
I have an interesting data point and am looking for advice,
I found out this 25k upgrade is possible when my fiances flight was less than 24 hours out and checked in. I found that her flight had availability in G. On the third agent (chat, phone (disconnected), phone) I managed to get the upgrade processed! This is my fiances first time over the Atlantic so Im thrilled I can do this for her. I paid with my miles and the agent did great.
Now onto the issue / area of advice, the ticket has been reissued into G (I found the EXCH ticket to be sure) but the virgin website still shows her in premium with her original seat. Im going to call VS when they open but has anyone else been in this situation? Any recommendations?
I found out this 25k upgrade is possible when my fiances flight was less than 24 hours out and checked in. I found that her flight had availability in G. On the third agent (chat, phone (disconnected), phone) I managed to get the upgrade processed! This is my fiances first time over the Atlantic so Im thrilled I can do this for her. I paid with my miles and the agent did great.
Now onto the issue / area of advice, the ticket has been reissued into G (I found the EXCH ticket to be sure) but the virgin website still shows her in premium with her original seat. Im going to call VS when they open but has anyone else been in this situation? Any recommendations?
Jan 19, 23, 1:45 am
#254
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 2
Upgradet but Skymiles not debited from Skymiles account
Yesterday I called Delta for a Mileage-Upgrade-Award for VS-flight in Oktober from LHR-SEA-LAX from Premium (G) to UpperClass. Was available for the LHR-SEA flight for 25.000 Skymiles. DL-Agent confirmed the upgrade. But I dont get an email-confirmation and the Skymiles are not debited from my account. Delta-app shows seats in UpperClass but fare is still showing G. Any recommendations?
Jan 19, 23, 3:50 am
#255
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 4,988
Yesterday I called Delta for a Mileage-Upgrade-Award for VS-flight in Oktober from LHR-SEA-LAX from Premium (G) to UpperClass. Was available for the LHR-SEA flight for 25.000 Skymiles. DL-Agent confirmed the upgrade. But I dont get an email-confirmation and the Skymiles are not debited from my account. Delta-app shows seats in UpperClass but fare is still showing G. Any recommendations?
