Trying to optimize a mix of companion + upgrade certificates for 3 people
Nov 2, 2018, 5:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 71
Trying to optimize a mix of companion + upgrade certificates for 3 people
Hey there all,
Ok, here is a game for you:
Ok, here is a game for you:
- 3 x people flying transcontinental on Delta One equipped plane
- 1 x Companion certificate available
- 4 x PM Upgrade certificate available (so enough for 2 people)
Target:
- Pay only 2 Economy tickets, using companion ticket for the 3rd
- Have at least 2 of the party fly in Delta One, and if possible the 3rd in Economy+ even if that means paying a little more
Now, how the heck do you optimize this?
This is driving me mad, I can't even find reliably if you can use an upgrade certificate on the paid seat of the companion pair
Thanks a lot
This is driving me mad, I can't even find reliably if you can use an upgrade certificate on the paid seat of the companion pair
Thanks a lot
Nov 2, 2018, 7:24 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Delta-pm, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-PP
Posts: 271
Hey there all,
Ok, here is a game for you:
Ok, here is a game for you:
- 3 x people flying transcontinental on Delta One equipped plane
- 1 x Companion certificate available
- 4 x PM Upgrade certificate available (so enough for 2 people)
Target:
- Pay only 2 Economy tickets, using companion ticket for the 3rd
- Have at least 2 of the party fly in Delta One, and if possible the 3rd in Economy+ even if that means paying a little more
Now, how the heck do you optimize this?
This is driving me mad, I can't even find reliably if you can use an upgrade certificate on the paid seat of the companion pair
Thanks a lot
This is driving me mad, I can't even find reliably if you can use an upgrade certificate on the paid seat of the companion pair
Thanks a lot
Nov 2, 2018, 2:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: DL-PM
Posts: 266
I am trying to do something similar. They cannot split a companion ticket, but you have to use the RUCs on yourself +1 so you have to be one of the two passengers on the companion ticket for it to work. Then obviously availability and pricing for upgrade to C+ of F on the 3rd person becomes an issue. It took me several calls just to get that answer, and there were no paid work around in my case without exorbitant differences since it was me+2 (they were on the companion cert).
Nov 2, 2018, 3:44 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 71
I was talking about the Delta Platinum companion certificate
I am trying to do something similar. They cannot split a companion ticket, but you have to use the RUCs on yourself +1 so you have to be one of the two passengers on the companion ticket for it to work. Then obviously availability and pricing for upgrade to C+ of F on the 3rd person becomes an issue. It took me several calls just to get that answer, and there were no paid work around in my case without exorbitant differences since it was me+2 (they were on the companion cert).
The 3rd passenger is less of an issue I think, because the pricing I've found doesn't seem to be so bad, plus I will have 2x$100 refunded from two BoA Premium Rewards Visa that are difficult to burn otherwise (unlike with my Amex Platinum, the $50 gift cards trick doesn't work with Visa)
Nov 2, 2018, 4:31 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
Not really following you. You can use the upgrade certificates for both you and the companion when traveling on a companion cert now. Two upgrade certs are required in each direction. This is explained right in the T&C's for the certs on the website. Is this not what you want to accomplish?
The T&C's can be found at the following page and section 13 on Transferabiliity mentions this specific case.
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-upgrades.html
The T&C's can be found at the following page and section 13 on Transferabiliity mentions this specific case.
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-upgrades.html
Nov 2, 2018, 7:02 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
Yep, but the upgrade cert's can only be used by the cert owner and a companion. They can't be transferred to two other companions. So, I guess if that's what OP was thinking (and using his status to get a C+ seat), that wouldn't work.
Nov 2, 2018, 10:03 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 71
But at least it looks that I can I purchase 1 economy seat + get a companion one for free, then upgrade both to Delta One using 4 regional upgrades, meaning 2 Delta One tickets for the cost of 1 economy ticket. I'm pretty sure it wasn't possible a few years ago.
Thanks.
Nov 2, 2018, 10:15 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
DL made Companion Cert tickets and PWM tickets eligible for upgrades with RUC's on Jan 22, 2018. So, yes, this is a relatively new option. It seems you will be able to use both your companion cert and upgrade certs (assuming they go through), so it doesn't seem like you have much to complain about here.