Credit to partner FF#, lose upgrade
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
Credit to partner FF#, lose upgrade
Hi All-
Note this isn't a complaint, just posting for information and to better understand the process.
I am a DL PM but also a VA PM (top status on VA). I have kept both status the last couple years because I am based in Australia but like the combination of coverage that I get with Skyteam + VA's partners.
In any case I will credit VA and DL flights to either program depending on my needs. Up until now it has been pretty seamless. I always book with the operating airline's FF# and then if I need to change it, I do it at the airport or lounge.
Recently at LAX I checked in for a domestic DL flight and wanted to switch to my VA number. I had a C+ upgraded seat in SU class on the outbound, my return is booked directly in C+. I didn't think this would be a problem as VA PM is also eligible for a complimentary C+ upgrade too. However the agent said she had to boot me out, she checked with Global (her term) and they said the same thing. At first she gave me no seat (seat request card) but I protested a bit and she gave me a decent aisle seat.
I called the PM line to check and they said this was policy and I would always be dumped out of a SU upgrade if I took off my DL number, and if my new partner number was eligible for C+, I would have to be put back on the waitlist and reclear.
I thought I had been able to keep my SU upgrades in the past when changing to my VA number, but I can't be 100% certain.
I do have a question for anyone here, Does anyone know if this applies to RUC upgrades? I am about to make my PM choice and was angling towards RUC. Since there is a tangible 'payment' involved with a RUC, I am thinking if I swapped FF# I could keep my upgrade. But I was looking for any thoughts or experiences.
Cheers
Note this isn't a complaint, just posting for information and to better understand the process.
I am a DL PM but also a VA PM (top status on VA). I have kept both status the last couple years because I am based in Australia but like the combination of coverage that I get with Skyteam + VA's partners.
In any case I will credit VA and DL flights to either program depending on my needs. Up until now it has been pretty seamless. I always book with the operating airline's FF# and then if I need to change it, I do it at the airport or lounge.
Recently at LAX I checked in for a domestic DL flight and wanted to switch to my VA number. I had a C+ upgraded seat in SU class on the outbound, my return is booked directly in C+. I didn't think this would be a problem as VA PM is also eligible for a complimentary C+ upgrade too. However the agent said she had to boot me out, she checked with Global (her term) and they said the same thing. At first she gave me no seat (seat request card) but I protested a bit and she gave me a decent aisle seat.
I called the PM line to check and they said this was policy and I would always be dumped out of a SU upgrade if I took off my DL number, and if my new partner number was eligible for C+, I would have to be put back on the waitlist and reclear.
I thought I had been able to keep my SU upgrades in the past when changing to my VA number, but I can't be 100% certain.
I do have a question for anyone here, Does anyone know if this applies to RUC upgrades? I am about to make my PM choice and was angling towards RUC. Since there is a tangible 'payment' involved with a RUC, I am thinking if I swapped FF# I could keep my upgrade. But I was looking for any thoughts or experiences.
Cheers
#2
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
Hi All-
Note this isn't a complaint, just posting for information and to better understand the process.
I am a DL PM but also a VA PM (top status on VA). I have kept both status the last couple years because I am based in Australia but like the combination of coverage that I get with Skyteam + VA's partners.
In any case I will credit VA and DL flights to either program depending on my needs. Up until now it has been pretty seamless. I always book with the operating airline's FF# and then if I need to change it, I do it at the airport or lounge.
Recently at LAX I checked in for a domestic DL flight and wanted to switch to my VA number. I had a C+ upgraded seat in SU class on the outbound, my return is booked directly in C+. I didn't think this would be a problem as VA PM is also eligible for a complimentary C+ upgrade too. However the agent said she had to boot me out, she checked with Global (her term) and they said the same thing. At first she gave me no seat (seat request card) but I protested a bit and she gave me a decent aisle seat.
I called the PM line to check and they said this was policy and I would always be dumped out of a SU upgrade if I took off my DL number, and if my new partner number was eligible for C+, I would have to be put back on the waitlist and reclear.
I thought I had been able to keep my SU upgrades in the past when changing to my VA number, but I can't be 100% certain.
I do have a question for anyone here, Does anyone know if this applies to RUC upgrades? I am about to make my PM choice and was angling towards RUC. Since there is a tangible 'payment' involved with a RUC, I am thinking if I swapped FF# I could keep my upgrade. But I was looking for any thoughts or experiences.
Cheers
Note this isn't a complaint, just posting for information and to better understand the process.
I am a DL PM but also a VA PM (top status on VA). I have kept both status the last couple years because I am based in Australia but like the combination of coverage that I get with Skyteam + VA's partners.
In any case I will credit VA and DL flights to either program depending on my needs. Up until now it has been pretty seamless. I always book with the operating airline's FF# and then if I need to change it, I do it at the airport or lounge.
Recently at LAX I checked in for a domestic DL flight and wanted to switch to my VA number. I had a C+ upgraded seat in SU class on the outbound, my return is booked directly in C+. I didn't think this would be a problem as VA PM is also eligible for a complimentary C+ upgrade too. However the agent said she had to boot me out, she checked with Global (her term) and they said the same thing. At first she gave me no seat (seat request card) but I protested a bit and she gave me a decent aisle seat.
I called the PM line to check and they said this was policy and I would always be dumped out of a SU upgrade if I took off my DL number, and if my new partner number was eligible for C+, I would have to be put back on the waitlist and reclear.
I thought I had been able to keep my SU upgrades in the past when changing to my VA number, but I can't be 100% certain.
I do have a question for anyone here, Does anyone know if this applies to RUC upgrades? I am about to make my PM choice and was angling towards RUC. Since there is a tangible 'payment' involved with a RUC, I am thinking if I swapped FF# I could keep my upgrade. But I was looking for any thoughts or experiences.
Cheers
...
Offer includes eligible Delta or Delta Connection flights between the origin and destination of a ticketed fare for the named SkyMiles Member or a travel companion pursuant to the terms and conditions of this offer.
...
Offer includes eligible Delta or Delta Connection flights between the origin and destination of a ticketed fare for the named SkyMiles Member or a travel companion pursuant to the terms and conditions of this offer.
...
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
I'm still the Skymiles member whether I credit to Skymiles or not. But I was still a PM on my last flight even though I still got kicked out of my seat... so yeah you may have a point.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
You need to have your SM # on a given flight in order to be eligible for SM-based upgrades on that flight.
You may have come across reports of people using systemwide upgrade certificates to upgrade AA or UA flights and then changing their FF# to a different program -- in those programs that is possible, because their systemwide upgrades can be gifted to whoever you want, including yourself flying not as an AA/UA FF member (which is effectively a different person from you flying as an AA/UA FF member, as far as the airlines are concerned). But Delta RUCs and GUCs have to be used by the member who earned them and up to one companion traveling with the member, and if your SM# isn't on the reservation, the member technically isn't the one traveling, as the computer and the rules see it.
All that said you might occasionally get away with keeping an upgrade after you change the FF#, but that's definitely not Delta's intention for how it should work.
You may have come across reports of people using systemwide upgrade certificates to upgrade AA or UA flights and then changing their FF# to a different program -- in those programs that is possible, because their systemwide upgrades can be gifted to whoever you want, including yourself flying not as an AA/UA FF member (which is effectively a different person from you flying as an AA/UA FF member, as far as the airlines are concerned). But Delta RUCs and GUCs have to be used by the member who earned them and up to one companion traveling with the member, and if your SM# isn't on the reservation, the member technically isn't the one traveling, as the computer and the rules see it.
All that said you might occasionally get away with keeping an upgrade after you change the FF#, but that's definitely not Delta's intention for how it should work.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
I guess so, although the terms don't say you have to credit to your FF number so that is a bit annoying. They could verify your identity as the Skymiles member in other ways besides requiring you to credit to DL. For example, I just show my VA card to get into the lounge on domestic DL flights, and I don't need it on my BP. I understand why a complimentary upgrade might drop off, but I feel like once you have 'paid' for an upgrade with a certificate, it should stick. Of course, my feelings don't matter much.
FWIW, VA upgrade certificates are not transferable, but once you use them and they have cleared, changing your FF number is not a problem.
UA used to, before the CO merger, have two FF fields, one for earning and one for status. Not sure if they still do.
If DL allowed people to change the FF number on each leg, or even just the return trip, it would be easier. For example in this case, I am booked in C+ on the return so I want to credit it to VA. VA gives triple qualifying credits for C+ bookings, while DL doesn't give anything extra. I had to sacrifice my outbound upgrade to credit to VA though.
In any case thanks for the replies, probably won't get RUC as my benefit as it potenitally reduces my crediting flexibility too much.
FWIW, VA upgrade certificates are not transferable, but once you use them and they have cleared, changing your FF number is not a problem.
UA used to, before the CO merger, have two FF fields, one for earning and one for status. Not sure if they still do.
If DL allowed people to change the FF number on each leg, or even just the return trip, it would be easier. For example in this case, I am booked in C+ on the return so I want to credit it to VA. VA gives triple qualifying credits for C+ bookings, while DL doesn't give anything extra. I had to sacrifice my outbound upgrade to credit to VA though.
In any case thanks for the replies, probably won't get RUC as my benefit as it potenitally reduces my crediting flexibility too much.