ecaarch

1. You are traveling with a companion that is NOT on the same PNR (therefore ineligible for u/g). This can happen pretty often with co-workers traveling together where one has status and the other does not. Would you take an u/g to F and leave your boss in Y?

2. Many people (myself included) prefer specific Y seats if they are available over C+ for various reasons (legroom, proximity/non-proximity to lavatories, etc.) We request an u/g to F but specifically decline requesting a seat in C+.

jlionw

Thank you!

jdrtravel

Just to add: An upgrade to C+ can land you automatically in any available C+ seat, including a middle seat. Many would prefer an aisle seat in main cabin rather than a C+ upgrade. Delta is rolling out a fix to this where you can request aisle/window only, but it's in testing phase now for just a small group of customers.

wxman22

As a long tern Silver until only the 2018, I simply don't see the point of selecting C+.
I'd rather have a exit row seat that I can select at booking.

Free drink is nice, but I have Amex Platinum, so I don't worry about it.

I understand Delta wanting to sell a middle cabin.
But why any Medallion would think that's an upgrade is beyond me

It basically lets Delta off the hook.

ijgordon

The problem with exit rows are that many of them aren't great. Fixed armrests / narrower seats in many. Most windows don't have a real armrest. No recline (e.g., 739 row 19). No easy underseat storage and/or IFE screen far away (739 21A/F).

Agreed 100%. Silly how people consider it an upgrade. Even sillier how they charge a fare difference of $140+ one-way on longer domestic flights. But at least they've made it easier for regular passengers, you can just select a seat from the seat map after ticketing in main cabin, and they'll just charge you the difference. But if I book a mileage award, I think I have to either book directly into C+ or I'm stuck in Y.

As a Gold, I do end up living with the drawbacks of some of the exit rows, especially when I'm traveling with a companion. At T-72 I guess I can start looking at the MCE seat map and see if it makes sense to request the "upgrade" at that point. It's a little frustrating because a 50k elite on AA gets to choose Main Cabin Extra at booking for free, but I guess there are always trade-offs.

qofmiwok

I thought Delta finally rolled out the "no middle seat" option. I got it on my last flight. This time I didn't. But one article said once you clear for the upgrade you can check the seat they gave you and decline it if they gave you a middle. Is this how it works now?

I suspect one problem is they're always going to try to put to people traveling together next to each other. meaning one will get an middle. But we couldn't care less about sitting together.

Lars Johansen

Hi, sorry if this question is not appropriate in this thread but could not find any better from my quick search...

We are a family of 4 which will fly JFK-SXM-JFK in July, we are booked in T and V.

I am a Star Alliance Gold, and just got matched/challenged to Delta Gold, mainly to benefit from the baggage waiver.

I also noticed the complimentary upgrade perks and have some questions:

* What are the chances of upgrade to FC for a Gold member, i believe this route we are flying might not have many business/frequent travellers. As of now 1/20 FC is booked.


* If a upgrade goes through would it just be myself getting upgraded, 1 companion or the whole family on the same booking? (Just me would not be popular/ not an option )

*my spouse is star alliance silver, might try to match her to delta silver, is it likely for a silver to get an FC upgrade?

Cameron B

Lars Johansen

Thanks for the tip. We are currently all on the same booking.

If my spouse gets matched to Silver:

Would it be and idea to call Delta and ask them to split the original PNR into 2 PNRs ?
Me and one child
My Spouse and one child?

Any drawbacks with doing this/Any perks they will not get not being on the same booking as a Gold?
We will checkin max 4 bags in total

Cameron B

Lars Johansen

Seems your right, I searched the outbund flight on Experflyer for the same day of the week we are heading out, for all of May, all FC seats seems to be booked already.

Guess I will check EF regulary and if there are "a lot" of seats empty a week before departure I will call Delta and ask about splitting.


If not I am happy with saving around $200 in baggage fees.

Thanks for your help

btonkid12345

Yes, Delta can split into 2 x 2. And that's what you need to do.

There can be a chance on leisure routes. More difficult if you are flying certain days of the week which are really busy. But there is a chance.

The two you split out will lose SkyPriority access inherited from you for check in and security, but 1 bag each (with the other person in the same PNR with a silver) will be fine and comp.

I have flown to AUA, CUN, CZM etc - some days 90% of F are available for upgrades, other days it's fully sold out.

Lars Johansen

Thanks for your feedback, Skypriority would be nice at JFK, but at SXM im not sure it will be available at all?

I think I will stick to my plan.. see how many seats are taken inbound/outbound a week or so in advance, and do the split, if seems like there is a chance..

jdrtravel

While splitting is possible, the chances of all four of you being upgraded is very low, even to Comfort+. Also, if you split the PNR this can cause trouble in irrops. If your flight is cancelled and DL automatically rebooks pax on different flights, your family could be split up. They would not split up people on the same pnr.