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
Jul 7, 2022, 3:58 pm
#196
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: 100,393
Jul 7, 2022, 4:08 pm
#197
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 34
I’m aware of the geography. The Post only made the distinction between domestic and international. Just wanted to point out that Delta explicitly calls out the entirety of the Caribbean and Central America as eligible. So more than just “domestic” is eligible.
They do not, however, define what they consider included in the “Caribbean” and therefore eligible for upgrades.
They do not, however, define what they consider included in the “Caribbean” and therefore eligible for upgrades.
Jul 7, 2022, 4:16 pm
#198
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: 100,393
I’m aware of the geography. The Post only made the distinction between domestic and international. Just wanted to point out that Delta explicitly calls out the entirety of the Caribbean and Central America as eligible. So more than just “domestic” is eligible.
They do not, however, define what they consider included in the “Caribbean” and therefore eligible for upgrades.
They do not, however, define what they consider included in the “Caribbean” and therefore eligible for upgrades.
Jul 7, 2022, 4:23 pm
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,037
I’m aware of the geography. The Post only made the distinction between domestic and international. Just wanted to point out that Delta explicitly calls out the entirety of the Caribbean and Central America as eligible. So more than just “domestic” is eligible.
They do not, however, define what they consider included in the “Caribbean” and therefore eligible for upgrades.
They do not, however, define what they consider included in the “Caribbean” and therefore eligible for upgrades.
Where domestic vs. international comes into play is with Delta One flights where domestic US50 D1 flights are comp upgrade eligible, but international D1 flights (basically longer-haul international as there are no D1 marketed flights to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, or Central America) are not. JFK-BOG is a bit complicated as it is currently flown with domestic 757 FC aircraft and marketed as FC (and is thus upgrade eligible), but switches to a 767 on Oct 29th and will be D1 marketed and not comp upgrade eligible at that point. It is currently scheduled to switch back to a domestic FC 757 on March 25th.
Last edited by xliioper; Jul 7, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Jul 7, 2022, 4:54 pm
#200
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: DTW
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 86
Thanks all for clarifying, looks like I will need to give Delta a call then because I can't manage upgrade requests for any of the legs of this trip in the app or on the website for some reason. (traveling with 1 companion who is FO and SkyMiles number is attached so other than the potential international rule I couldn't think of any reason why it would be blocked).
Jul 7, 2022, 5:17 pm
#201
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: 100,393
Thanks all for clarifying, looks like I will need to give Delta a call then because I can't manage upgrade requests for any of the legs of this trip in the app or on the website for some reason. (traveling with 1 companion who is FO and SkyMiles number is attached so other than the potential international rule I couldn't think of any reason why it would be blocked).
Jul 7, 2022, 5:26 pm
#202
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: DTW
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 86
These also aren't on partner flights, although one flight on the return is operated by Endeavor Air but I don't believe that has prevented upgrades in the past.
Jul 7, 2022, 5:53 pm
#203
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: DM Delta; VS Gold; HA Platinum; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 63
I'm a little confused. How is ATL-SJU considered an International flight? It's definitely comp eligible; I've been upgraded on this flight several times.
Jul 7, 2022, 6:01 pm
#204
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: DTW
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 86
Perhaps a bad assumption on my part, I thought Delta's definition of international was anything not in the 50 states... but glad to know it's comp eligible.
Jul 16, 2022, 1:02 pm
#206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,490
I was upgraded to the lone remaining seat upfront during the tail end of the boarding process, except the upgrade waitlist still showed my name as #1, and my boarding pass still has the C+ interface. Wholly domestic (US) itinerary.
Jul 17, 2022, 6:33 am
#208
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 144
as for UG availability… that route has a lot of last minute D1 purchases and SDCs. I find the red eye is the hardest to get upgraded on. Would be worth a RUC in my opinion.
Jul 17, 2022, 6:25 pm
#209
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nashville
Programs: DL DM 3 MM AA PLAT HH Lifetime Diamond Marriott Plat AMB lifetime titanium Hertz PC
Posts: 6,187
Any ideas how i was 2 of four on d1 to lhr using a guc and then three people were just upgraded to d1. So now I am still second on the upg but only one seat is lef
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Jul 17, 2022, 6:26 pm
#210
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nashville
Programs: DL DM 3 MM AA PLAT HH Lifetime Diamond Marriott Plat AMB lifetime titanium Hertz PC
Posts: 6,187
Any ideas how i was 2 of four on d1 to lhr using a guc and then three people were just upgraded to d1. So now I am still second on the upg but only one seat is left?