Feb 1, 2022, 4:17 pm
Last edit by: Zorak
Index of DL forum threads on how to sit up front
Complimentary Upgrades
How do comp upgrades work?
This is the thread you are currently reading
for questions including but not limited to
Use this thread for posting or researching data points pertaining to complimentary upgrades (how many were on the list, your position, whether you cleared, etc.)
Upgrades on AeroMexico flights (Consolidated Thread)
Certificate Upgrades
Global Upgrade Certificates (GUCs)
Regional Upgrade Certificates (RUCs)
Buying Up Using Cash
First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Using SkyMiles for Upgrades
Upgrading With Companions
Upgrading w/companions, eligibility, timing, Sep 2020 onward (consolidated)
Complimentary Upgrades
How do comp upgrades work?
This is the thread you are currently reading
for questions including but not limited to- I'm new to status and upgrades, how do I request a comp upgrade?
- when will my name appear on the list? when will I clear?
- do I need to do anything if my status went up since I booked?
- when will my name show up on the list?
- why is my position so low?
- oddities/anomalies involving the upgrade list
- and so on
Use this thread for posting or researching data points pertaining to complimentary upgrades (how many were on the list, your position, whether you cleared, etc.)
- 2023 Upgrade Success (Or Lack Thereof) Thread
- 2022 Upgrade Success (or lack thereof) Thread
- 2021 Upgrade Success (or lack thereof) thread
- ... and so on
Upgrades on AeroMexico flights (Consolidated Thread)
Certificate Upgrades
Global Upgrade Certificates (GUCs)
- Using Global Upgrades on Delta (GUCs) post 2/1/2022 Changes
- OLD 2014-2021 version of the thread (davetravels, RIP
): The Official - GLOBAL UPGRADE CERT success thread - Yay! I got it! - Global upgrades on partners (see also the wiki at the top of the main GUC thread, which has good "executive summary" info for using GUCs on partners, including some that don't have their own dedicated threads):
- Air France (AF): Using GUC on AF - Consolidated Threads 2020 Onward
- KLM (KL): Using Delta Global Upgrade (GUC) with KLM Consolidated
- Korean Air (KE): Using GUC on KE bookings - Consolidated Thread
- Virgin Atlantic (VS): GUC now able to be used on Virgin Atlantic (VS)???
Regional Upgrade Certificates (RUCs)
- Using Regional Upgrades on Delta (RUC) post 2/1/2022
- OLD 2014-2021 version of the thread: Using Regional Upgrades
Buying Up Using Cash
First Class Monetization, or FCM: The Definitive Thread
Using SkyMiles for Upgrades
- Mileage Upgrade Awards (NOT the same as Upgrade With Miles, see thread wiki for explanation of the difference): Delta Mileage Upgrade Awards
- Air France (AF): Question re: upgrade with Miles on Air France
- Virgin Atlantic (VS): Definitive Thread: Use Sky Miles to upgrade on VS
Upgrading With Companions
Upgrading w/companions, eligibility, timing, Sep 2020 onward (consolidated)
Complimentary Upgrades on Delta, the Definitive Thread
May 27, 2022, 6:20 am
#166
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: 100,413
I always assumed it would be segment-by-segment, but in the past, one could always see the (current so very incomplete) upgrade list for all flights on the same fare component at least (if not all flights in that "direction" if there's a broken fare) as soon as OLCI opened for the first segment and one checked in (for at least all segments on the same fare component. [I tend to avoid broken fares if I'm aware of them so I'm not sure how they were treated.] To me, this *suggests* that DL's IT might treat connecting segments as having the same upgrade window as the first segment. Upgrade clearance times might well work this way due to the legacy system.
May 27, 2022, 10:15 am
#167
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,704
May 28, 2022, 8:37 am
#168
Join Date: May 2022
Location: DTW, HNL
Programs: DL PM, MM
Posts: 16
Simple(?) upgrade question
My wife has a lot of SkyMiles but no Medallion status. If she uses some of her SkyMiles to purchase Delta tix for both of us (on the same Confirmation Code), can I subsequently sign in to Delta.com and use my Platinum status to upgrade our seats? thnx
May 28, 2022, 8:47 am
#169
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,931
Yes -- you will be eligible for upgrades together at your Platinum Medallion priority level, as long as both your SkyMiles numbers are on the reservation.
Jun 5, 2022, 8:42 am
#170
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 7
I have had this happen to me more times than I can count! Always pays to check the app often to see what shows up. Have also apparently been "cleared for an upgrade" but nothing showed up in the app to indicate as such and watched the seats be given away one by one until I called Delta and they said, "oh you were cleared, let me just fix this on our end". Whatever that means!
Jun 9, 2022, 10:56 pm
#171
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 764
Is the clearance window for a connecting itinerary supposed to be T-120 for your first segment, or T-120 on a segment-by-segment basis? I would assume the latter, but I was able to manually clear downline segments into open OU (using change seats) after the first segment cleared automatically at the window.
Jun 16, 2022, 10:18 am
#172
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 144
flying DCA-MSP today, earned DM plus reserve on an H fare. 15 of 58 for 0 FC seats. Haven’t flown this route but used to regularly and was often upgraded as a PM (and would frequently see Sens. Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar in FC for those who remember the should she or shouldn’t she debate about Stacey Abrams taking a comp upgrade to FC). Surprising to see so many elites and FCM on this leg.
Jun 16, 2022, 11:24 am
#173
Join Date: Apr 2022
Programs: Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 109
flying DCA-MSP today, earned DM plus reserve on an H fare. 15 of 58 for 0 FC seats. Haven’t flown this route but used to regularly and was often upgraded as a PM (and would frequently see Sens. Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar in FC for those who remember the should she or shouldn’t she debate about Stacey Abrams taking a comp upgrade to FC). Surprising to see so many elites and FCM on this leg.
Jun 20, 2022, 9:17 am
#174
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Jersey
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,154
Asking for a friend here. Is there a way for someone booked on award traveling using miles in coach to upgrade(either complimentary or other ways) to business? Do they get complimetary upgrades when booked on award travel? The person is diamond.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Jun 20, 2022, 10:26 am
#175
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,931
Yes, SkyMiles award tickets are eligible for comp upgrades the same as cash tickets. Less sure about awards booked on DL-operated flights using partner points currency (but partner-marketed DL-operated cash tickets are not eligible for upgrades until day of travel)
Jun 20, 2022, 12:37 pm
#176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,062
If it is an international D1 route, Medallions (including Diamonds) are not eligible for comp upgrades on either revenue or award flights. Only First Class and domestic D1 routes are eligible for comp Medallion upgrades. DL may offer online paid/mileage upgrades, but these are unpredictable.
Jun 20, 2022, 3:18 pm
#177
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: 100,413
You can use GUCs and RUCs on award tickets, under the same rules as for tickets paid with money. A GUC upgrades an international coach ticket to PS with a waitlist for D1 on the day of departure.
Jun 21, 2022, 2:16 pm
#178
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite / Delta Platinum / United Silver
Posts: 51
Hi everyone,
This might've been asked elsewhere, but I was wondering - how does Delta's upgrade system rank you in terms of fare class when you have a (now) schedule-changed or IROPS reissued ticket with a higher fare code than what you initially purchased? I'm a PM and have been wondering how this works out... for example, I purchased "L" from TVC-SAN/San Diego and there was a schedule change. I was able to change (for no difference in fare and no fee) to TVC-SNA/Orange County, but delta.com reissued my ticket in "H." Will my upgrade priority be based on the original "L" or the reissued "H?"
Thanks!
This might've been asked elsewhere, but I was wondering - how does Delta's upgrade system rank you in terms of fare class when you have a (now) schedule-changed or IROPS reissued ticket with a higher fare code than what you initially purchased? I'm a PM and have been wondering how this works out... for example, I purchased "L" from TVC-SAN/San Diego and there was a schedule change. I was able to change (for no difference in fare and no fee) to TVC-SNA/Orange County, but delta.com reissued my ticket in "H." Will my upgrade priority be based on the original "L" or the reissued "H?"
Thanks!
Jun 29, 2022, 5:05 pm
#180
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: 40.7128° N, 74.0060° W
Programs: Delta Medallion
Posts: 10
Flying tomorrow internationally from JFK to Europe. As per my understanding, there are no complimentary upgrade for D1 on international flight - how is possible that i people on the app in the upgrade list for D1?