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:
BLANK SPACE
How to Upgrade with Delta Sky Miles
BLANK SPACE
BLANK SPACE
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Current Pricing (may be out of date, updates appreciated)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:
BLANK SPACE
- 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.
BLANK SPACE
BLANK SPACE
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
Feb 25, 2019, 1:53 pm
#196
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Home Airport: PDX
Programs: Delta Skymiles 1M & DM ; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 116
Cheap price to go from {U,L} -> K for a 65k each-way upgrade
Booked today a round trip PDX<->BCN (via AMS in both directions) for travel in mid-April (Mon-Sun). Outbound was in a U fare and return was in an L fare. The L fare cost $130 to upgrade to a K, and the U fare cost $105 to upgrade to a K. Once all was upgraded to a K, it was 65,000 miles in each direction to upgrade to D1 for the PDX<->AMS legs. Cleared immediately.
I was so pleasantly surprised that the cash fare upgrade was so little! I have plenty of miles, but I'm on a tight budge cash-wise.
I was so pleasantly surprised that the cash fare upgrade was so little! I have plenty of miles, but I'm on a tight budge cash-wise.
Last edited by shipitfish; Feb 25, 2019 at 1:54 pm Reason: add a few more details and clarifications
Feb 25, 2019, 3:25 pm
#197
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: DL DM, 2 MM; OW Emerald; MVP Gold 100k;Marriott/SPG LTPlat; HH Diamond
Posts: 968
Booked today a round trip PDX<->BCN (via AMS in both directions) for travel in mid-April (Mon-Sun). Outbound was in a U fare and return was in an L fare. The L fare cost $130 to upgrade to a K, and the U fare cost $105 to upgrade to a K. Once all was upgraded to a K, it was 65,000 miles in each direction to upgrade to D1 for the PDX<->AMS legs. Cleared immediately.
I was so pleasantly surprised that the cash fare upgrade was so little! I have plenty of miles, but I'm on a tight budge cash-wise.
I was so pleasantly surprised that the cash fare upgrade was so little! I have plenty of miles, but I'm on a tight budge cash-wise.
Feb 26, 2019, 7:35 am
#199
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
It usually takes longer than that and recently they seem to have been responding via phone call rather than email.
Feb 26, 2019, 12:42 pm
#200
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Midwest US
Programs: AA GLD 1MM
Posts: 13
Tried separatepost about this but maybe this is a better place. At beginning of January I used miles to upgrade a K class ticket to D1. I have D1 seat assignments, so the upgrade appears to have processed. However, the miles do not seem to have been withdrawn from my account. Is there a reason for this? When are they going to withdraw them - and what if I have less than the necessary 120K miles when that happens?
Thanks in advance
Dan
Thanks in advance
Dan
Feb 26, 2019, 1:53 pm
#201
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
Tried separatepost about this but maybe this is a better place. At beginning of January I used miles to upgrade a K class ticket to D1. I have D1 seat assignments, so the upgrade appears to have processed. However, the miles do not seem to have been withdrawn from my account. Is there a reason for this? When are they going to withdraw them - and what if I have less than the necessary 120K miles when that happens?
Thanks in advance
Dan
Thanks in advance
Dan
Feb 27, 2019, 8:50 am
#202
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Home Airport: PDX
Programs: Delta Skymiles 1M & DM ; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 116
Oh sorry, should have mentioned. I was already talking with an agent because I was getting an error message trying to book the flight online (strangely, I never had that happen before, but at last booking step, it was saying "Unable to complete transaction, call an agent".) After three tries, I called the DM desk to book. Once I booked, I was trying to apply a GUC, and then realized I should ask about cash upgrade to K fare, then mileage upgrade, and she checked and found that price. The agent was as surprised as me that going from {L,U}->K on an international leg was only a total of $235 round-trip. I am sure I got lucky; I'd love to understand why!
Mar 4, 2019, 12:28 pm
#203
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Just called into to get a quote on an upgrade on an ATL-LAX K fare. I was told that if there is a $/mileage upgrade on the itinerary page there was no option for a Mileage Upgrade Award. The agent seemed to think there was no other option (Gold reservation line). Anyone have any thoughts on this? I plan on calling back to try another agent.
Mar 4, 2019, 12:31 pm
#204
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
Just called into to get a quote on an upgrade on an ATL-LAX K fare. I was told that if there is a $/mileage upgrade on the itinerary page there was no option for a Mileage Upgrade Award. The agent seemed to think there was no other option (Gold reservation line). Anyone have any thoughts on this? I plan on calling back to try another agent.
Mar 4, 2019, 1:30 pm
#206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,023
Mileage Award Upgrades are no longer offered for routes in North and South America
"For all markets, with the exception of Delta-operated flights in North America and South America, "
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-and-more.html
"For all markets, with the exception of Delta-operated flights in North America and South America, "
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-and-more.html
Apr 4, 2019, 11:37 am
#207
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,299
So I understand that DL has removed most flights from being able to use mileage upgrade awards and you can only use whatever FCM offer DL.com gives you, but what if there is no FCM offer? The reason I ask is because I’m thinking about booking a HNL-MSP-MCO flight on a K Fare and there typically aren’t any FCM offers on D1 flights IME. If I end up booking that flight and there is indeed no FCM option, can I therefore attempt to use a millage upgrade award which would be 28K miles according to the wiki?
Apr 4, 2019, 8:17 pm
#208
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
So I understand that DL has removed most flights from being able to use mileage upgrade awards and you can only use whatever FCM offer DL.com gives you, but what if there is no FCM offer? The reason I ask is because I’m thinking about booking a HNL-MSP-MCO flight on a K Fare and there typically aren’t any FCM offers on D1 flights IME. If I end up booking that flight and there is indeed no FCM option, can I therefore attempt to use a millage upgrade award which would be 28K miles according to the wiki?
Apr 18, 2019, 12:58 pm
#209
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: South Carolina
Programs: DL, AA, UA
Posts: 88
I'm on a paid Comfort W and W+ fare in early June. GSP-DTW-LHR outbound and FCO-ATL-GSP coming back. Can I use miles to upgrade to Delta One? Anyone have a read on what a fair amount will be if it is possible?
UPDATE: I called and there was no upgradable inventory. I'd have to rebook to a Main Cabin Upgradable fare (about $200 difference) and then she quoted 65K miles each way. But I'd be waitlisted and she said she had no idea if they'd open any inventory since it's in June, peak season etc. Ugh.
She suggested I call back later to see if inventory has opened up. Anyone know how far out those decisions are made? Thanks.
UPDATE: I called and there was no upgradable inventory. I'd have to rebook to a Main Cabin Upgradable fare (about $200 difference) and then she quoted 65K miles each way. But I'd be waitlisted and she said she had no idea if they'd open any inventory since it's in June, peak season etc. Ugh.
She suggested I call back later to see if inventory has opened up. Anyone know how far out those decisions are made? Thanks.
Last edited by Chanticleer; Apr 18, 2019 at 1:14 pm
Apr 18, 2019, 2:17 pm
#210
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
There is no way to know if or when more inventory will become available. Delta does not make public the factors they use to decide, so paying to upfare and then waitlist is a risk. I would guess that for summer travel that is not that far away, your chances of an upgrade are low.