Two Versions of "Z" class on KLM for upgrades?
Nov 15, 2017, 10:07 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Delta, Alaska Airlines, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 37
This really is a mess and I agree that Delta should not make this so hard and they should offer better training to their representatives.
Based on the terms and conditions that I copied below it seems like it should be easy for the DL reps to process these GUCs on Delta marketed and KL operated flights. The search on EF for KL upgrades says that "Z" is "Business--Upgrade with DL SWU/Global Upgrades & Fare Class" so that seems like an upgradeable Z class versus a paid Z class. Oy vey!
"For travel on KLM-operated, Delta-marketed flights this certificate may be used to upgrade on published fares booked in Y, B, M, S, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V class and all fare classes upgrade into Z class." and ...
"Delta representatives must book in "RP/OP" class and travel agencies must book in "R/O" class; reservations must be booked in "Z" class on KL, and reservations on AF Premium Voyageur must be booked in "A" class and Affaires Class must be booked in "O" class."
Based on the terms and conditions that I copied below it seems like it should be easy for the DL reps to process these GUCs on Delta marketed and KL operated flights. The search on EF for KL upgrades says that "Z" is "Business--Upgrade with DL SWU/Global Upgrades & Fare Class" so that seems like an upgradeable Z class versus a paid Z class. Oy vey!
"For travel on KLM-operated, Delta-marketed flights this certificate may be used to upgrade on published fares booked in Y, B, M, S, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V class and all fare classes upgrade into Z class." and ...
"Delta representatives must book in "RP/OP" class and travel agencies must book in "R/O" class; reservations must be booked in "Z" class on KL, and reservations on AF Premium Voyageur must be booked in "A" class and Affaires Class must be booked in "O" class."
Nov 15, 2017, 1:30 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
There is the version where you can upgrade off any fare which is rarely available.
Then there is the version where you can upgrade from full fare (Y and maybe B/M) but this is usually almost as much or more than discounted J.
I don't understand the nuances (fare class, marketing carrier, etc.) of it; all I understand is it almost never works. And AF is even worse.
Be aware that if you participate in SPG crossover you will not get credit if they change it to KLM flight number when reissuing.
Best bet is to take DL metal if anything is available.
This whole program is a mess.
Then there is the version where you can upgrade from full fare (Y and maybe B/M) but this is usually almost as much or more than discounted J.
I don't understand the nuances (fare class, marketing carrier, etc.) of it; all I understand is it almost never works. And AF is even worse.
Be aware that if you participate in SPG crossover you will not get credit if they change it to KLM flight number when reissuing.
Best bet is to take DL metal if anything is available.
This whole program is a mess.
Nov 15, 2017, 1:38 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,197
DL twitter processed my upgrade earlier this year on a tatl flight with intra-euro connection. Had to remind them to get the connecting segment upgraded also since they just did the tatl leg at first, but they knew how to do it.
Nov 15, 2017, 1:48 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,730
(Whether Delta has access to all of these in the "award" sphere, I don't know)
Of these, only O is purely reserved for mileage purposes; X is also reserved for mileage purposes only for longhaul flights.
The rest all exist both as revenue and as mileage classes, possibly with different availabilities.