Upgrading Australia flights at the airport
Apr 12, 2019, 9:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: New York City
Programs: Delta Platinum
Posts: 97
Upgrading Australia flights at the airport
Hello!
Towards the end of this year I'm looking to buy a ticket to Australia flying down on Delta,
However I earn substantially more MQD on a Virgin Australia-coded ticket since on partner ticket stock it earns by distance, not payment.
This will make the difference between platinum or diamond Medallion qualification, so there's a lot riding on it.
My question however, becomes about upgrading.
I already know that in advance it won't be possible, since the flights are VA-coded and not Delta 006 ticket stock.
But what about the airport?
The airport gains immense control once check-in opens, do you think I could request it at the check-in desk or gate? If it's available even...
My account is with Delta SkyMiles anyway, so the points are coming from their own program.
Any experience is appreciated,
Thanks!!!
Towards the end of this year I'm looking to buy a ticket to Australia flying down on Delta,
However I earn substantially more MQD on a Virgin Australia-coded ticket since on partner ticket stock it earns by distance, not payment.
This will make the difference between platinum or diamond Medallion qualification, so there's a lot riding on it.
My question however, becomes about upgrading.
I already know that in advance it won't be possible, since the flights are VA-coded and not Delta 006 ticket stock.
But what about the airport?
The airport gains immense control once check-in opens, do you think I could request it at the check-in desk or gate? If it's available even...
My account is with Delta SkyMiles anyway, so the points are coming from their own program.
Any experience is appreciated,
Thanks!!!
Apr 12, 2019, 1:40 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
How do you plan to upgrade? With DL miles? If so, note that normally upgrades with miles (as opposed to those using GUCs) can't be processed on the day of departure. Also, there are no free elite upgrades on longhaul international flights.
Apr 12, 2019, 1:59 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,475
Mileage upgrade on DL doesn't carry over to airport standby list either. i.e. you need to clear in advance, you cannot standby for airport upgrades using miles. You can use GUC, however.
Apr 12, 2019, 5:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,106
Apr 12, 2019, 7:28 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
If you fly the DL operated, VA codeshare you will not be able to get complimentary Comfort+. This can be a big deal on such a long flight. You will be able to request it at the airport, but the seats will be gone by then most likely.
I don't believe it will be possible for you to upgrade this ticket to J, even at the airport. The ticket is not controlled by DL. They can't reissue it. An op-up is probably the only way.
I can tell you from experience, both in general and on this route, codeshares are a pain and not worth the headache. If you need the MQD, just book the VA operated flight, it'll be a lot easier. If you buy the VA flight you can bid (cash) for an upgrade to PE or J via their UpgradeMe system.
I don't believe it will be possible for you to upgrade this ticket to J, even at the airport. The ticket is not controlled by DL. They can't reissue it. An op-up is probably the only way.
I can tell you from experience, both in general and on this route, codeshares are a pain and not worth the headache. If you need the MQD, just book the VA operated flight, it'll be a lot easier. If you buy the VA flight you can bid (cash) for an upgrade to PE or J via their UpgradeMe system.
Apr 12, 2019, 7:51 pm
#7
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Presume you've done the math? For Y fares the MQD earnings don't always come out ahead unless you are on a very cheap ticket.
Believe a couple of Y fare buckets only earn 5% / 10%
Also VA code means no C+ upgrade until DoD and you may not get a PS upgrade offer (plane is now a PS 777).
I'd rather take confirmed C+ with chance of reasonable PS upgrade offer (which will come with increased MQMs)
Believe a couple of Y fare buckets only earn 5% / 10%
Also VA code means no C+ upgrade until DoD and you may not get a PS upgrade offer (plane is now a PS 777).
I'd rather take confirmed C+ with chance of reasonable PS upgrade offer (which will come with increased MQMs)
Apr 13, 2019, 2:34 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
If you're willing to fly VA metal instead of DL, VA offers a program called UpgradeMe, which is basically a program to bid on upgrades. You must be booked on VA metal using VA codes and on VA 795 ticket stock. IMO, the VA hard and soft products are superior to the DL hard and soft products, and if your concern is MQD earning you'll probably still benefit this way.
Flying BNE-LAX (DL ticket, VA flight number) I asked at checkin about upgrading. Was offered AU$1000 to upgrade from PE to business. Was told this was a new benefit for DL tickets, up to that week had only been available for VA ticks.
Apr 13, 2019, 8:34 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Apr 13, 2019, 9:14 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
The suite is nice (haven't flown the 777 but I have the A350). I still give VA the hard product edge though, with the excellent in-flight bar, and still a very good seat. Although some of the VA seats are showing their age.
To be fair I don't really value the added features of the suite, like the door. Just don't see a reason to use it. I'm sure others will like it more than I.
To be fair I don't really value the added features of the suite, like the door. Just don't see a reason to use it. I'm sure others will like it more than I.
Last edited by CPMaverick; Apr 13, 2019 at 9:21 pm
Apr 14, 2019, 5:57 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
The suite is nice (haven't flown the 777 but I have the A350). I still give VA the hard product edge though, with the excellent in-flight bar, and still a very good seat. Although some of the VA seats are showing their age.
To be fair I don't really value the added features of the suite, like the door. Just don't see a reason to use it. I'm sure others will like it more than I.
To be fair I don't really value the added features of the suite, like the door. Just don't see a reason to use it. I'm sure others will like it more than I.
Apr 14, 2019, 9:03 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
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