2018 Upgrade Success (Or Lack Thereof)
Aug 24, 2018, 8:16 pm
#316
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DTW / SJC
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 764
Something weird is definitely going on with DL's upgrade system...
My uncle (FO) and his daughter (no status) were #3 and #4 on the upgrade list for their flight tomorrow (award tickets) when they checked in this morning - there was one F seat left.
This evening, they were both upgraded to First, apparently taking the last two seats as First is now full, and the two people who were above them on the list are still on the list.
Based on posts above, it seems like Silvers traveling with a companion on award tickets might have some magical upgrade priority?
The only other theory I can come up with is that there was a slight schedule change on their flight, so maybe that classified them as "inconvenienced travelers" or something...?
In any case, this goes against Delta's published upgrade rules.
My uncle (FO) and his daughter (no status) were #3 and #4 on the upgrade list for their flight tomorrow (award tickets) when they checked in this morning - there was one F seat left.
This evening, they were both upgraded to First, apparently taking the last two seats as First is now full, and the two people who were above them on the list are still on the list.
Based on posts above, it seems like Silvers traveling with a companion on award tickets might have some magical upgrade priority?
The only other theory I can come up with is that there was a slight schedule change on their flight, so maybe that classified them as "inconvenienced travelers" or something...?
In any case, this goes against Delta's published upgrade rules.
Aug 24, 2018, 9:19 pm
#317
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
I just booked a domestic flight for monday (so we're already inside the DM/PM upgrade window), Q fare. I was instantly upgraded to F on one of the segments, which happens fairly frequently when I book inside the window, but this was weird. It dumped me into 1D, so I went to the seat map to pick a different seat, and the entire cabin is greyed out.
I just did a dummy booking for that leg, and F is indeed sold out.
How is that possible? Why would they upgrade me into F and close it out rather than save that seat for a possible purchase??? I've never seen anything like this before.
It's a republic-operated E170 flight, FWIW.
I just did a dummy booking for that leg, and F is indeed sold out.
How is that possible? Why would they upgrade me into F and close it out rather than save that seat for a possible purchase??? I've never seen anything like this before.
It's a republic-operated E170 flight, FWIW.
Aug 25, 2018, 4:44 pm
#318
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM; Marriott Ambasador Elite
Posts: 626
My “Your Diamond Medallion Member Check-In” email this morning confirmed my subjective sense that my upgrades this year have been pretty spotty. “This year, you’ve sat up front on 46% of flights.” And, for the record, I paid for a good chunk of that 46% in F/J.
Aug 27, 2018, 8:46 am
#319
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta DM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,987
I got the Diamond check-in too. Due to a job change, my flights have gone from a mid-range to short hops and at high fare buckets, so even though I do buy A fares now and then, I think I'm running at about 75% UG on Y fares. I'm not doing ATL>LAX or other tough UG routes very often but there has been a definite improvement this year going from PM to DM. I think in future years PM would be better for me after DM #'s go down due to qualification changes, because I'm usually in higher fare buckets, but overall this UG rate pleases me.
Aug 27, 2018, 8:49 am
#320
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta DM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,987
It happened to me on MSN>DTW just last week. Bought K fare inside window, instantly upgraded and after UG, F was sold out. And when I took the flight, the waitlist for UG was at 48 on an MD90. Go figure. I am guessing that maybe there is an algorithm for higher priced Y fares to move up if at PM/DM, IDK? I also don't know if they hold back some F seats for TSA or whatever so it's not really sold out and they know that. A lot I don't know basically but I do know I got an instant upgrade on a K fare for a flight you could then no longer buy F tickets for at delta.com
Aug 27, 2018, 9:41 am
#321
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
I just booked a domestic flight for monday (so we're already inside the DM/PM upgrade window), Q fare. I was instantly upgraded to F on one of the segments, which happens fairly frequently when I book inside the window, but this was weird. It dumped me into 1D, so I went to the seat map to pick a different seat, and the entire cabin is greyed out.
I just did a dummy booking for that leg, and F is indeed sold out.
How is that possible? Why would they upgrade me into F and close it out rather than save that seat for a possible purchase??? I've never seen anything like this before.
It's a republic-operated E170 flight, FWIW.
I just did a dummy booking for that leg, and F is indeed sold out.
How is that possible? Why would they upgrade me into F and close it out rather than save that seat for a possible purchase??? I've never seen anything like this before.
It's a republic-operated E170 flight, FWIW.
I SDC'd to a different routing and this seat did not become available, it's still showing "sold out" in F when I do a dummy booking.
Aug 27, 2018, 11:26 am
#322
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: DL-PM
Posts: 266
Recent flights, had pretty good luck with a last minute purchase:
PHX-DTW Upgraded at booking flight left with 2 empty in F
DTW-YYZ Upgraded at booking F Full nobody on list
YYZ-ATL Upgrade at booking F full 2 left on list
ATL-LAS Upgraded at booking flight went out with 4 empty in F
Pretty surprising, though I guess that makes sense for Saturday redeye & Monday night travel.
PHX-DTW Upgraded at booking flight left with 2 empty in F
DTW-YYZ Upgraded at booking F Full nobody on list
YYZ-ATL Upgrade at booking F full 2 left on list
ATL-LAS Upgraded at booking flight went out with 4 empty in F
Pretty surprising, though I guess that makes sense for Saturday redeye & Monday night travel.
Aug 27, 2018, 11:55 am
#323
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
MEM-LGA today
Aug 27, 2018, 9:17 pm
#324
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: New York City
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,127
Question:
I know that upgrades are based on status, fare class and then other things like DL Reserve Card, certain corp accounts etc. Question is where does econ comfort, if actually purchased at time of booking fall into the pecking order. Meaning, on an upcoming flight, I can buy a X fare which will put me at the tail end of the Diamonds or I can buy W. Does the W actually sit higher in the pecking order than coach fares if actually purchased ? Thanks
I know that upgrades are based on status, fare class and then other things like DL Reserve Card, certain corp accounts etc. Question is where does econ comfort, if actually purchased at time of booking fall into the pecking order. Meaning, on an upcoming flight, I can buy a X fare which will put me at the tail end of the Diamonds or I can buy W. Does the W actually sit higher in the pecking order than coach fares if actually purchased ? Thanks
Aug 28, 2018, 12:31 am
#325
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
I too like the summary from DL. Would be nice to have you've been upgraded % vs paid F/J.
Aug 28, 2018, 10:21 am
#326
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Sarasota, FL
Programs: DL Diamond , Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 131
Per the DL email Im at 40% on the year flying in first as a platinum. That's all upgrades, as I have zero paid F tickets this year to date. That being said my % lately has been abysmal. SRQ's summer "down" months have been anything but down this year. More elites than I have ever seen during the summer.
SRQ- ATL #6 for 1 seat
ATL-LAX #16 for 0 seats
LAX-ATL Cleared at the gate on a RUC to the last available seat
ATL-SRQ #10 for 2 seats 30+ on UG list
SRQ- ATL #21 for 0 seats. 40+ on UG list
ATL- AUS #14 for 0 seats
AUS-ATL #9 for 1 seat
ATL-SRQ #26 for 3 seats 40+ on UG list
SRQ- ATL #6 for 1 seat
ATL-LAX #16 for 0 seats
LAX-ATL Cleared at the gate on a RUC to the last available seat
ATL-SRQ #10 for 2 seats 30+ on UG list
SRQ- ATL #21 for 0 seats. 40+ on UG list
ATL- AUS #14 for 0 seats
AUS-ATL #9 for 1 seat
ATL-SRQ #26 for 3 seats 40+ on UG list
Aug 28, 2018, 10:34 am
#327
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,057
Question:
I know that upgrades are based on status, fare class and then other things like DL Reserve Card, certain corp accounts etc. Question is where does econ comfort, if actually purchased at time of booking fall into the pecking order. Meaning, on an upcoming flight, I can buy a X fare which will put me at the tail end of the Diamonds or I can buy W. Does the W actually sit higher in the pecking order than coach fares if actually purchased ? Thanks
I know that upgrades are based on status, fare class and then other things like DL Reserve Card, certain corp accounts etc. Question is where does econ comfort, if actually purchased at time of booking fall into the pecking order. Meaning, on an upcoming flight, I can buy a X fare which will put me at the tail end of the Diamonds or I can buy W. Does the W actually sit higher in the pecking order than coach fares if actually purchased ? Thanks
Aug 28, 2018, 11:47 am
#328
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, AA, WP
Posts: 840
Per the DL email Im at 40% on the year flying in first as a platinum. That's all upgrades, as I have zero paid F tickets this year to date. That being said my % lately has been abysmal. SRQ's summer "down" months have been anything but down this year. More elites than I have ever seen during the summer.
Aug 28, 2018, 1:07 pm
#329
Join Date: May 2005
Location: FAR/MSP/JAX
Programs: DL PM, AA PPro, Bonvoy Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec, HH Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 62
Definitely concur. Infrequent poster here but I frequently monitor the board... PM with LAX-LIH on Friday and there are a whopping 10x FC open, still no upgrade and I'm T-72 hours out. Called Medallion line, they said the complimentary upgrade seats for that specific day still haven't been released for all flights/system wide. Odd?!?
Aug 28, 2018, 1:27 pm
#330
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
Definitely concur. Infrequent poster here but I frequently monitor the board... PM with LAX-LIH on Friday and there are a whopping 10x FC open, still no upgrade and I'm T-72 hours out. Called Medallion line, they said the complimentary upgrade seats for that specific day still haven't been released for all flights/system wide. Odd?!?
But it's not unusual for a Hawaii route on a weekend to hold back upgrades, especially for PMs...I've seen 6-10 open and haven't cleared as DM until the gate and didn't find it unusual
Lots of last minute F and buy ups that happen on these routes so they send many of the upgrades to the gate now unfortunately