Can anyone get an upgrade?
Feb 7, 2019, 11:15 am
#16
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
If there's anything, that's the sham.. those seats don't really exist for most folks unless you book way, way in advance. There's no way a Platinum is getting C+ seats if they're traveling busy times and don't book at least a month in advance.
Feb 7, 2019, 11:21 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,783
Virtually no upgrades to F unless I use an RUC and even then.....
Last edited by CarmenOM; Feb 7, 2019 at 12:23 pm
Feb 7, 2019, 12:11 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,988
ATL connections are slim to no chances of upgrade, even as a diamond.
Upgrade odds improve on non-biz travel days.
Upgrade odds improve on non-biz travel days.
Feb 7, 2019, 12:31 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 50
I understand this is the rule and don't mean to challenge the assertion - that being said, perhaps it's a vagary of dl.com but I have an upcoming JFK-LHR flight (DL 3) that shows the option to request complimentary upgrades to C+ in the itinerary. I have the option unchecked because I have a travel companion and have us in the big exit row with two seats alone and don't want to accidentally get upgraded and split up in the middle of C+ in the event it does process. My return is ORY-JFK operated by AF and does not have the option to request upgrades.
Feb 7, 2019, 12:51 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,040
I understand this is the rule and don't mean to challenge the assertion - that being said, perhaps it's a vagary of dl.com but I have an upcoming JFK-LHR flight (DL 3) that shows the option to request complimentary upgrades to C+ in the itinerary. I have the option unchecked because I have a travel companion and have us in the big exit row with two seats alone and don't want to accidentally get upgraded and split up in the middle of C+ in the event it does process. My return is ORY-JFK operated by AF and does not have the option to request upgrades.
Feb 7, 2019, 1:10 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
Feb 7, 2019, 1:34 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
It could be an ex-ATL thing. If I book any closer than 3-4 weeks in, there is zero chance of C+.
Feb 7, 2019, 1:37 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Tacoma, WA
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 495
My upgrade percentage this year as a SEA-based GM is pretty laughable, so I feel your pain. While I dont think that I'm "entitled" to an UG unless I pay for it, it is almost to the point where it shouldn't even be listed as a benefit. I've never had "elite" status with any other airline, so I dont have any other point of reference, but I plan on doing one or two status matches this year just to test the waters. Was planning on hitting PM this year with Delta but I'm not sure anymore.
Feb 7, 2019, 5:28 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,775
I understand this is the rule and don't mean to challenge the assertion - that being said, perhaps it's a vagary of dl.com but I have an upcoming JFK-LHR flight (DL 3) that shows the option to request complimentary upgrades to C+ in the itinerary. I have the option unchecked because I have a travel companion and have us in the big exit row with two seats alone and don't want to accidentally get upgraded and split up in the middle of C+ in the event it does process. My return is ORY-JFK operated by AF and does not have the option to request upgrades.
Feb 7, 2019, 5:33 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,775
One thing to also keep keep in mind about upgrades is Delta is trying to sell those seats. They have made that very clear in multiple investor calls. It’s working. From a marketing perspective they can offer unlimited free upgrades, even if I’m reality it doesnt happen as much as it used to. I used to be above 90% as a PM. Now I buy F half the time because I know I won’t get the upgrade.
Feb 7, 2019, 6:00 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
I book many work trips with less than 30 days notice and rarely have this issue. In more than 50 segments last year I didn’t fly in C+ on one flight and it’s because I didn’t want a middle seat in C+. It’s likely route dependent.
One thing to also keep keep in mind about upgrades is Delta is trying to sell those seats. They have made that very clear in multiple investor calls. It’s working. From a marketing perspective they can offer unlimited free upgrades, even if I’m reality it doesnt happen as much as it used to. I used to be above 90% as a PM. Now I buy F half the time because I know I won’t get the upgrade.
Once you hit 14 days out, availability is completely gone. Maybe if you're willing to do a middle seat and fly offpeak there is a chance - but even that is iffy. If you want a window or aisle, you are pretty much forced to a 30+ day booking window.
I realize this is route dependent as you said, but for me this is just a fact of life for the routes I fly (generally ex-ATL to the West Coast). The biggest single problem is, of course, the fact that Delta insists on flying 739s out West. They have the lowest density of C+ of any configuration - and that is even before taking into consideration the fact that row 11 on the right side is pretty terrible.
Feb 7, 2019, 7:30 pm
#29
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA, AA
Posts: 85
Tell me about it - I'm SFO based and as I Diamond I have gotten this upgrade all of once over the last few years to ATL, often being as low as 8 or 10 on the list. Even when I've been number 1 it hasn't materialized. Then last December, I was traveling with my non-medallion status wife and we both got upgraded to FC on this route. Go figure.