Why was I upgraded?
Dec 1, 2018, 11:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP , Delta Gold Medallion, "Credit Card" status for various hotels
Posts: 672
Why was I upgraded?
My husband and I are flying on Delta 2189 from PDX to HNL on December 25th. We are both gold medallion and were upgraded to first this week, about four weeks before the flight date. While I’m very happy to be upgraded, I’m having trouble explaining why.
For what it’s worth, the flight was booked as an economy award using flying blue miles.
In addition, the standby list for the flight indicates there are 55 seats open. However, the flight is showing as sold out in coach - the only seats available for sale are in first.
Does anyone have any insight into why we were upgraded?
For what it’s worth, the flight was booked as an economy award using flying blue miles.
In addition, the standby list for the flight indicates there are 55 seats open. However, the flight is showing as sold out in coach - the only seats available for sale are in first.
Does anyone have any insight into why we were upgraded?
Dec 1, 2018, 11:39 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
Well, it is almost certainly just schedule change Saturday and, as such, your reservation is getting mucked with as part of a schedule change (cancellations and equipment swaps are common on December 25th). I would wait until tomorrow before getting too excited.
In terms of upgrades.. while unlikely, it is possible that there was a plane swap that reduced the number of available economy seats but there was still F availability. I am not sure what this would be (it would need to be a swap from a 757 or 767.. but it looks like all other flights on this route are 737s as well.. maybe they did a mass swap?). Delta may have taken the highest status passengers and put them into F to clear up space in Y. That seems unlikely on this flight (especially since there are seats open, although a lot of folks may be on E). But who knows.
My bet is on schedule change Saturday. Give it some time..
In terms of upgrades.. while unlikely, it is possible that there was a plane swap that reduced the number of available economy seats but there was still F availability. I am not sure what this would be (it would need to be a swap from a 757 or 767.. but it looks like all other flights on this route are 737s as well.. maybe they did a mass swap?). Delta may have taken the highest status passengers and put them into F to clear up space in Y. That seems unlikely on this flight (especially since there are seats open, although a lot of folks may be on E). But who knows.
My bet is on schedule change Saturday. Give it some time..
Dec 1, 2018, 11:48 am
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2015
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Well, it is almost certainly just schedule change Saturday and, as such, your reservation is getting mucked with as part of a schedule change (cancellations and equipment swaps are common on December 25th). I would wait until tomorrow before getting too excited.
In terms of upgrades.. while unlikely, it is possible that there was a plane swap that reduced the number of available economy seats but there was still F availability. I am not sure what this would be (it would need to be a swap from a 757 or 767.. but it looks like all other flights on this route are 737s as well.. maybe they did a mass swap?). Delta may have taken the highest status passengers and put them into F to clear up space in Y. That seems unlikely on this flight (especially since there are seats open, although a lot of folks may be on E). But who knows.
My bet is on schedule change Saturday. Give it some time..
In terms of upgrades.. while unlikely, it is possible that there was a plane swap that reduced the number of available economy seats but there was still F availability. I am not sure what this would be (it would need to be a swap from a 757 or 767.. but it looks like all other flights on this route are 737s as well.. maybe they did a mass swap?). Delta may have taken the highest status passengers and put them into F to clear up space in Y. That seems unlikely on this flight (especially since there are seats open, although a lot of folks may be on E). But who knows.
My bet is on schedule change Saturday. Give it some time..
Ive been expecting a cancellation or schedule change due to the strange dynamics, but wasn’t expecting the upgrade. I think you’re right to not get “too excited” yet.
Dec 1, 2018, 11:55 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
Thanks for the insight. To add more context - I noticed the upgrade this past Wednesday, Nov. 28. At that time I noticed one coach seat was being sold for the low price of $1698. This flight had been marked as sold out in coach for about three weeks before this single seat popped up. Now it is sold out in coach once again.
Ive been expecting a cancellation or schedule change due to the strange dynamics, but wasn’t expecting the upgrade. I think you’re right to not get “too excited” yet.
What is your current fare class showing? Is it RU or is it showing as an actual F fare class?
I agree that odd behavior like this can be a precursor to a cancellation. With that said, it is very late in the game for Delta to be cancelling flights (holiday cullings usually happen at least three months in advance). In addition, this is a special route that appears to be set up specifically for the holidays, so it would seem odd for them to cancel it.
Dec 1, 2018, 12:02 pm
#5
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My recollection is that this flight has been consistently scheduled as a 737-900, but it’s possible I missed something. The fare class is being shown as RU.
Perhaps they are restricting selling out the plane due to range and headwinds, and bumped us to first to sell more coach seats?
Perhaps they are restricting selling out the plane due to range and headwinds, and bumped us to first to sell more coach seats?
Dec 1, 2018, 12:31 pm
#6
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I'd assume it to be a mistake which DL will correct unless you see that your ticket has been reissued.
Dec 1, 2018, 12:55 pm
#7
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Put me in the "some kind of glitch/Saturday Schedule Shenanigans" camp. I assume it will sort itself out, but if it sticks, enjoy!
Dec 1, 2018, 1:47 pm
#9
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Dec 1, 2018, 1:49 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Posts: 8,414
Where are you seeing a standby list? I though you could only see a standby list after checking in, at T-24.
Dec 1, 2018, 1:53 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2017
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I've had this happen once or twice before as a PM. Booked a ticket almost two weeks out and got instantly upgraded to First (RU) at the time of ticketing. I actually got two "Upgrade" emails, one for C+ and one for F. Must be some weird automation with inventory control. Just speculation?
Dec 1, 2018, 2:01 pm
#12
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I've had this happen once or twice before as a PM. Booked a ticket almost two weeks out and got instantly upgraded to First (RU) at the time of ticketing. I actually got two "Upgrade" emails, one for C+ and one for F. Must be some weird automation with inventory control. Just speculation?
Dec 1, 2018, 2:03 pm
#13
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When you click on the “upgrade/standby list” option on the app, it displays the number of open seats in first, c+, and the entire plane. There is no actual list yet, since it’s so far out.
Dec 1, 2018, 3:50 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,884
But remember, that number only shows seats which are not assigned to passengers yet - not seats that available for sale. This could include both Basic Economy passengers and people who have a confirmed ticket but haven't selected a seat for whatever reason. The only ways that I know of to see is a cabin is actually sold out would be either via an Expert Flyer subscription (which I don't have) or by attempting a "dummy booking" on the flight on delta.com. If Delta's not willing to sell you a ticket, there is a pretty good chance it's sold out.
Dec 1, 2018, 5:27 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: MidSouth
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Posts: 728
At least you were upgraded? On our most recent pair of flights, we were upgraded to Comfort on one leg, nothing on the rest. And yet my other half - Silver Medallion - was showing ahead of me - Gold Medallion who booked the flights - on the upgrade list when it became available.