Sep 12, 2017, 8:39 pm
Last edit by: Bowgie
Note: This thread is about Mileage Upgrade Awards, which are Sky Miles upgrades that upgrade your coach seat to First Class, Delta One or Premium Select.
These are no longer available on domestic routes and have been replaced with using miles for FCM buy-ups at slightly over 1 cpm -- see the FCM thread
They are also no longer available from North America to Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America.
Important Details:
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How to Upgrade with Delta Sky Miles
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Prices for the following markets as quoted by multiple reservations agents.
Other thread of potential interest:
Current Pricing (may be out of date, updates appreciated)
international main cabin to PS
Y/B/M: 25,000
H/Q/K: 35,000
US to Europe
Main Cabin (fare class Y, B, M) to Delta One - requires OY - 35,000 miles
Main Cabin (fare class H, Q, K) to Delta One - requires OY - 65,000 miles
Premium Select (fare class P, A, G) to Delta One - requires OY - 45,000 miles
US to South Asia/Oceania
Main Cabin (fare class Y, B, M) to Delta One - requires OY - 45,000 miles
Main Cabin (fare class H, Q, K) to Delta One - requires OY - 90,000 miles
Premium Select (fare class P, A, G) to Delta One - requires OY - 45,000 miles
LAX-SYD
PS (A) to D1: 17,500 miles
Historical pricing
(for curiosity/comparison, this section is a mix of really old and not so old pricing so may not make a lot of sense)
US/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean First Class (Most North America routes except for flights that offer Delta One)
Y/B/M: 15,000 miles
H/Q/K: 20,000 miles
L/U/T: 30,000 miles
Domestic Delta One Routes (domestic transcon & Hawaii routes that offer Delta One service such as JFK-LAX, LAX-DCA, ATL-HNL, etc)
Y/B/M: 23,000 miles
H/Q/K: 28,000 miles
L/U/T: 40,000 miles
NOTE: It *might* be possible to upgrade domestic segments of a PS fare (G A P) ticket to either FC or domestic D1 (unclear which) for 17,500 miles. *Unconfirmed*
US-Hawaii (Except for Delta One routes MSP/ATL/JFK/DTW-HNL. For these routes, see Domestic Transcontinental Premium Routes )
Y/B/M: 15,000 miles
H/Q/K: 20,000 miles
L/U/T: 30,000 miles
US-Northern South America
Y/B/M: 30,000 miles
H/Q/K: 45,000 miles
L/U/T: 55,000 miles
US-Southern South America
Y/B/M: 40,000 miles
H/Q/K: 60,000 miles
US-Europe:
Main Cabin to Delta One:
Y/B/M: 35,000 miles
H/Q/K: 65,000 miles
Main Cabin to Premium Select:
Y/B/M: 25,000 miles
H/Q/K: 35,000 miles
Premium Select to Delta One:
P/A/G: 40,000 miles
(NOTE: Confirmed on Aug 28, 2022 at this rate from JFK-AMS. Confirms books into OY class)
US-Northern Asia (Japan/Korea/China):
Main Cabin to Delta One:
Y/B/M: 45,000 miles
H/Q/K: 70,000 miles
Premium Select to Delta One
P/A/G: 45,000 miles
US-Southeast/Southwest Asia, Micronesia, Southwest Pacific:
Y/B/M: 35,000 miles
H/Q/K: 80,000 miles
US-Africa (incl. South Africa)
Y/B/M: 35,000 miles
H/Q/K: 80,000 miles
US-Middle East
Y/B/M: 35,000 miles
H/Q/K: 80,000 miles
US to TLV:
Main Cabin to Delta One:
Y/B/M: 45,000 miles
H/Q/K: 90,000 miles
Main Cabin to Premium Select:
Y/B/M: 25,000 miles
H/Q/K: 40,000 miles
These are no longer available on domestic routes and have been replaced with using miles for FCM buy-ups at slightly over 1 cpm -- see the FCM thread
They are also no longer available from North America to Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America.
Important Details:
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- Your underlying fare class remains Economy, and you are technically still booked as an economy passenger.
- You are granted all inflight & airport benefits of having that upgraded seat (i.e. Premium security line, Sky Club access on international flights, etc).
- You earn miles based on your original Main Cabin fare.
- Mileage Upgrade Award prices are set by route and do not fluctuate based on the cash price of the upgrade.
- Delta no longer publishes the miles required by route to upgrade, and the numbers below is a FT best attempt to collect this data; it may not be accurate.
- Mileage Upgrade Awards are confirmed after your coach ticket is booked (though could be in the same phone call with an agent who has checked for upgrade space before booking)
- The only way to use Mileage Upgrade Awards is by calling Delta--there is no online option.
- This Wiki contains only minimal information about upgrading to and from Premium Select; please share information as you gather it, either by updating the wiki or posting in the thread.
- You must be booked in an upgradeable fare class to upgrade. It is possible to buy up to an upgradeable coach fare class and then upgrade with miles.
How to Upgrade with Delta Sky Miles
- You can Either:
- Call Delta and ask to book a flight that has Mileage Upgrade Awards available and then purchase and upgrade the flight at the same time with that agent. Inventory is highly limited.
- OR, call Delta to upgrade a flight you have already booked. When you call they will either process the upgrade or tell you that there are no upgrades available.
- If an upgrade is not available, it is possible to waitlist.
- Mileage Upgrade Awards that are waitlisted do not transfer to the Airport Upgrade List (for gate upgrade) and cannot be cleared at the gate.
- There have been rare exceptions reported to this rule. If you want to attempt to clear your upgrade at the airport on day of departure, speak with a red coat. This is against policy and will not usually work, but some have reported success.
- If an upgrade is not available, it is possible to waitlist.
- If you want to upgrade a flight that you have already booked the change fee should be waived for this upgrade. Ask for a supervisor if this is challenged.
- The Delta agent may offer you either Delta Upgrade Awards or Upgrade with Miles (see details below). Confirm you are getting the lowest mile option.
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NOTE: Delta offers an additional upgrade option which is called Upgrade with Miles. These upgrades are available on US Domestic flights only and are a pay with miles type of upgrade. (meaning that, unlike Mileage Upgrade Awards, the amount of miles needed fluctuates based on the cash price of an upgrade). When you use Upgrade with Miles you will earn miles for your flight based on the cabin flown, as you have now paid (with miles) to change your ticket to a premium cabin ticket (vs an upgraded coach ticket). The mileage amounts listed in this thread are not for this program. To use Upgrade with Miles you need to log into your reservation and check for an upgrade offer or call Delta and ask. Upgrade with Miles typically requires more miles to upgrade than Mileage Upgrade Awards.
In order to use Mileage Upgrade Awards from Main Cabin or Comfort+ to First Class or Delta One, you need to be booked in the correct fare class:- Mileage Upgrade Awards are no longer available for flights within North America and South America. These routes generally have variable online mileage upgrade offers which are based on the cash upgrade offer at the rate of 1 CPM (less 7.5% US excise tax for domestic flights).
- For all other markets you can upgrade when booked in: Y/B/M//H/Q/K
- You can see your booking class by logging into your reservation. Directly under your seat assignment it will say your cabin and your booking class. For example: MAIN CABIN (Q)
Prices for the following markets as quoted by multiple reservations agents.
Other thread of potential interest:
- Use Sky Miles to upgrade on VS (Virgin Atlantic upgrades with Sky Miles)
Current Pricing (may be out of date, updates appreciated)
international main cabin to PS
Y/B/M: 25,000
H/Q/K: 35,000
US to Europe
Main Cabin (fare class Y, B, M) to Delta One - requires OY - 35,000 miles
Main Cabin (fare class H, Q, K) to Delta One - requires OY - 65,000 miles
Premium Select (fare class P, A, G) to Delta One - requires OY - 45,000 miles
US to South Asia/Oceania
Main Cabin (fare class Y, B, M) to Delta One - requires OY - 45,000 miles
Main Cabin (fare class H, Q, K) to Delta One - requires OY - 90,000 miles
Premium Select (fare class P, A, G) to Delta One - requires OY - 45,000 miles
LAX-SYD
PS (A) to D1: 17,500 miles
Historical pricing
(for curiosity/comparison, this section is a mix of really old and not so old pricing so may not make a lot of sense)
US/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean First Class (Most North America routes except for flights that offer Delta One)
Y/B/M: 15,000 miles
H/Q/K: 20,000 miles
L/U/T: 30,000 miles
Domestic Delta One Routes (domestic transcon & Hawaii routes that offer Delta One service such as JFK-LAX, LAX-DCA, ATL-HNL, etc)
Y/B/M: 23,000 miles
H/Q/K: 28,000 miles
L/U/T: 40,000 miles
NOTE: It *might* be possible to upgrade domestic segments of a PS fare (G A P) ticket to either FC or domestic D1 (unclear which) for 17,500 miles. *Unconfirmed*
US-Hawaii (Except for Delta One routes MSP/ATL/JFK/DTW-HNL. For these routes, see Domestic Transcontinental Premium Routes )
Y/B/M: 15,000 miles
H/Q/K: 20,000 miles
L/U/T: 30,000 miles
US-Northern South America
Y/B/M: 30,000 miles
H/Q/K: 45,000 miles
L/U/T: 55,000 miles
US-Southern South America
Y/B/M: 40,000 miles
H/Q/K: 60,000 miles
US-Europe:
Main Cabin to Delta One:
Y/B/M: 35,000 miles
H/Q/K: 65,000 miles
Main Cabin to Premium Select:
Y/B/M: 25,000 miles
H/Q/K: 35,000 miles
Premium Select to Delta One:
P/A/G: 40,000 miles
(NOTE: Confirmed on Aug 28, 2022 at this rate from JFK-AMS. Confirms books into OY class)
US-Northern Asia (Japan/Korea/China):
Main Cabin to Delta One:
Y/B/M: 45,000 miles
H/Q/K: 70,000 miles
Premium Select to Delta One
P/A/G: 45,000 miles
US-Southeast/Southwest Asia, Micronesia, Southwest Pacific:
Y/B/M: 35,000 miles
H/Q/K: 80,000 miles
US-Africa (incl. South Africa)
Y/B/M: 35,000 miles
H/Q/K: 80,000 miles
US-Middle East
Y/B/M: 35,000 miles
H/Q/K: 80,000 miles
US to TLV:
Main Cabin to Delta One:
Y/B/M: 45,000 miles
H/Q/K: 90,000 miles
Main Cabin to Premium Select:
Y/B/M: 25,000 miles
H/Q/K: 40,000 miles
Delta Mileage Upgrade Awards
Jun 26, 2018, 10:28 am
#46
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 129
Tried searching and not coming up with anything... Does anyone have a break down on the fare code I need to have purchased to be able to upgrade with miles? I believe it may change with the type of equipment (especially on the new A359s). Want to make sure I book the proper fare class to ensure I can even use mileage upgrades, if they come available.
Jun 26, 2018, 11:27 am
#47
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,895
Tried searching and not coming up with anything... Does anyone have a break down on the fare code I need to have purchased to be able to upgrade with miles? I believe it may change with the type of equipment (especially on the new A359s). Want to make sure I book the proper fare class to ensure I can even use mileage upgrades, if they come available.
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...nd-more.html#b
Under "Mileage Upgrade Awards (Upgrade After You've Already Booked)"
Jun 26, 2018, 11:29 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,023
Tried searching and not coming up with anything... Does anyone have a break down on the fare code I need to have purchased to be able to upgrade with miles? I believe it may change with the type of equipment (especially on the new A359s). Want to make sure I book the proper fare class to ensure I can even use mileage upgrades, if they come available.
Last edited by xliioper; Jun 26, 2018 at 11:35 am
Aug 8, 2018, 8:00 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Trying to upgrade my CDG - RDU flight later this week. Already was upgraded to C+ at the Gold window. Got this bizarre set of responses from @Delta -- needless to say I'll be calling when I have a free moment:
- There are no paid Upgrades available for the CDG-RDU flight but there are Mileage Upgrades available. *AJY
- Actually, I just noticed that you're seated in Comfort+. Unfortunately, Comfort+ fares are not Mileage Upgradeable. *AJY
- Comfort+ Cabin is not Upgradeable into the Delta One Cabin. Only if you're Upgrading from the Main Cabin fare. *AJY
- In order to be eligible, you would have to relist to Main Cabin then we will go over the number of Miles it would take to Upgrade. Be advised seat Upgrades are nonrefundable.
Aug 8, 2018, 8:05 am
#54
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,895
Trying to upgrade my CDG - RDU flight later this week. Already was upgraded to C+ at the Gold window. Got this bizarre set of responses from @Delta -- needless to say I'll be calling when I have a free moment:
- There are no paid Upgrades available for the CDG-RDU flight but there are Mileage Upgrades available. *AJY
- Actually, I just noticed that you're seated in Comfort+. Unfortunately, Comfort+ fares are not Mileage Upgradeable. *AJY
- Comfort+ Cabin is not Upgradeable into the Delta One Cabin. Only if you're Upgrading from the Main Cabin fare. *AJY
- In order to be eligible, you would have to relist to Main Cabin then we will go over the number of Miles it would take to Upgrade. Be advised seat Upgrades are nonrefundable.
I mean it's literally true that SU is not one of Y/B/M/H/Q/K but they ought to be able to easily look into your record to see your original fare bucket, and they ought to be able to quote the mileage price in the abstract even if someone called up and asked the amount without having a booking.
Hope you get the "how did we do?" Twitter survey for this one.
Aug 8, 2018, 8:52 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,023
Bottomline, if you did not originally purchase a Y/B/M/H/Q/K coach fare, you are not eligible for mileage upgrades regardless if you have been upgraded to C+ or not. Unfortunately, the agents tend to get easily confused on these issues and can't really be relied upon to provide a coherent response.
Aug 8, 2018, 9:54 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Wow, that's... something.
I mean it's literally true that SU is not one of Y/B/M/H/Q/K but they ought to be able to easily look into your record to see your original fare bucket, and they ought to be able to quote the mileage price in the abstract even if someone called up and asked the amount without having a booking.
Hope you get the "how did we do?" Twitter survey for this one.
I mean it's literally true that SU is not one of Y/B/M/H/Q/K but they ought to be able to easily look into your record to see your original fare bucket, and they ought to be able to quote the mileage price in the abstract even if someone called up and asked the amount without having a booking.
Hope you get the "how did we do?" Twitter survey for this one.
Bottomline, if you did not originally purchase a Y/B/M/H/Q/K coach fare, you are not eligible for mileage upgrades regardless if you have been upgraded to C+ or not. Unfortunately, the agents tend to get easily confused on these issues and can't really be relied upon to provide a coherent response.
Aug 8, 2018, 9:58 am
#57
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
I don't think Twitter is the best place to handle a mileage upgrade. They are great for resolving certain issues, especially while traveling, but I would think for a mileage upgrade you would want to work with a phone agent so you can have easy back and forth about everything and get it all done. Would they even confirm a mileage upgrade over twitter?
Aug 8, 2018, 1:10 pm
#58
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,895
I don't think Twitter is the best place to handle a mileage upgrade. They are great for resolving certain issues, especially while traveling, but I would think for a mileage upgrade you would want to work with a phone agent so you can have easy back and forth about everything and get it all done. Would they even confirm a mileage upgrade over twitter?
While acknowledging this isn't the same thing, I have added GUCs (waitlisted) via Twitter in the last month. They might ask you to provide the same authentication info they ask for on the phone. (They didn't in my case, possibly because I had just selected the GUCs and they weren't visible to the agent so I had to give the full 006 number and redemption code anyway)
Aug 8, 2018, 7:42 pm
#59
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: 27,041
It might be agent-dependent, but I imagine it would be possible.
While acknowledging this isn't the same thing, I have added GUCs (waitlisted) via Twitter in the last month. They might ask you to provide the same authentication info they ask for on the phone. (They didn't in my case, possibly because I had just selected the GUCs and they weren't visible to the agent so I had to give the full 006 number and redemption code anyway)
While acknowledging this isn't the same thing, I have added GUCs (waitlisted) via Twitter in the last month. They might ask you to provide the same authentication info they ask for on the phone. (They didn't in my case, possibly because I had just selected the GUCs and they weren't visible to the agent so I had to give the full 006 number and redemption code anyway)
Aug 8, 2018, 7:48 pm
#60
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414