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

- 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
#61
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
Programs: Dividend Miles, WorldPerks
Posts: 1,282
Can someone chime in the logical reason for the below scenario? Thanks in advance!
I am complementary waitlisted for domestic D1, earned Plat, #2 inside of T-24. #1 is on both C+ and D1 lists as #1.
Under what scenario would #1 be? If Plat or above, #1 would have been moved to C+ already (shortly after booking) - there are available C+ seats). Maybe sponsored upgrade from Diamond but the traveler is Gold or Silver?
I am complementary waitlisted for domestic D1, earned Plat, #2 inside of T-24. #1 is on both C+ and D1 lists as #1.
Under what scenario would #1 be? If Plat or above, #1 would have been moved to C+ already (shortly after booking) - there are available C+ seats). Maybe sponsored upgrade from Diamond but the traveler is Gold or Silver?
#62
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Alaska 75K, Delta Silver, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 9,590
I am not on C+ waitlist because Plat or above can get C+ shortly after booking. There are a lot of available C+ seats still. I had considered late SDC/IROP scenarios; however, the flight is not until tomorrow (23 hours and 30 minutes from now)...regular check-in time had just opened for the particular flight.
#63
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: 100,112
If someone buys a last minute ticket, there might not be C+ seats available, especially if the person rejects an "upgrade" into a C+ middle seat.
#64
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 4,901
Asking for my partner, who is not on Flyertalk. Is it impossible for a Silver Medallion with a companion to upgrade from Comfort Plus on an international flight JFK-FCO to Premium Select or Delta One? I suspect he doesn't have enough miles, even if he could. He only has 140,000 miles so not many. We have already requested First class upgrades from RDU-JFK, not a big deal. but would be nice. Upgrades on JFK-FCO are showing as "not available" or something similar. I suspect it's the fare code and/or it's just not possible to upgrade from Comfort Plus with his status, and with a companion.
Not at all a big deal, just curious because I manage everything, although we did book the flight together since we used his Delta Amex and my eCredit.
Not at all a big deal, just curious because I manage everything, although we did book the flight together since we used his Delta Amex and my eCredit.
#66
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 4,901
#67
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Programs: DL DM/2MM
Posts: 976
I know this is a basic question, but what I'm seeing doesn't match what I thought I understood about complimentary upgrades. I earned DM in Dec. My understanding this that PM and above are upgraded at the 5-day window. I have a flight in 3 days and I have yet to be upgraded. Yet the seat map shows 10 of 20 FC seats still empty and the flight info indicates that FC is available with a RUC. Could you explain what's happening and when those seats will next be released? Thank you.
#68
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,318
I know this is a basic question, but what I'm seeing doesn't match what I thought I understood about complimentary upgrades. I earned DM in Dec. My understanding this that PM and above are upgraded at the 5-day window. I have a flight in 3 days and I have yet to be upgraded. Yet the seat map shows 10 of 20 FC seats still empty and the flight info indicates that FC is available with a RUC. Could you explain what's happening and when those seats will next be released? Thank you.
You will get upgraded when OY inventory is available for whatever place you are in line.
#69
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Programs: DL DM/2MM
Posts: 976
Thank you. In your experience, when does OY inventory tend to open up? 10 open seats 3 days ahead sounds like it's pretty open, but maybe more FC seats get sold in the last 3 days than I expect. Or maybe they're just stingy opening up seats at the 5 day window?
#70
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Plat, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,343
I know this is a basic question, but what I'm seeing doesn't match what I thought I understood about complimentary upgrades. I earned DM in Dec. My understanding this that PM and above are upgraded at the 5-day window. I have a flight in 3 days and I have yet to be upgraded. Yet the seat map shows 10 of 20 FC seats still empty and the flight info indicates that FC is available with a RUC. Could you explain what's happening and when those seats will next be released? Thank you.
I am unsure of just how automated OY/OU inventory "computation" is and whether e.g. in your case where the algorithm actually predicts it might sell 10 seats before departure, or if the algorithm might think it would be ok to release upgrade inventory but it needs to be manually updated by a human (given general experiences with DL IT the latter wouldn't surprise me...)
#71
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Plat, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,343
which used to be possible system-wide but are now only available on international flights and a lot of agents might not know about them (and may think you are asking about using miles to pay the cash buy-up offer, which is also a thing), so prepare for a confusing conversation :-/
#72
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 4,901
I'm pretty sure "Upgrade Not Eligible" refers to comp upgrades only and doesn't rule out mileage or certificate supported upgrades. Have you/he tried calling in and asking about it? The relevant thing here is called a Mileage Upgrade Award: Delta Mileage Upgrade Awards
which used to be possible system-wide but are now only available on international flights and a lot of agents might not know about them (and may think you are asking about using miles to pay the cash buy-up offer, which is also a thing), so prepare for a confusing conversation :-/
which used to be possible system-wide but are now only available on international flights and a lot of agents might not know about them (and may think you are asking about using miles to pay the cash buy-up offer, which is also a thing), so prepare for a confusing conversation :-/
#73
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: 100,112
Asking for my partner, who is not on Flyertalk. Is it impossible for a Silver Medallion with a companion to upgrade from Comfort Plus on an international flight JFK-FCO to Premium Select or Delta One? I suspect he doesn't have enough miles, even if he could. He only has 140,000 miles so not many. We have already requested First class upgrades from RDU-JFK, not a big deal. but would be nice. Upgrades on JFK-FCO are showing as "not available" or something similar. I suspect it's the fare code and/or it's just not possible to upgrade from Comfort Plus with his status, and with a companion.
Not at all a big deal, just curious because I manage everything, although we did book the flight together since we used his Delta Amex and my eCredit.
Not at all a big deal, just curious because I manage everything, although we did book the flight together since we used his Delta Amex and my eCredit.
#74
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 4,901
FO means?
#75
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Plat, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,343
FO is the commonly used abbreviation on FlyerTalk for Silver Medallions. According to some this avoids confusion of SM with SkyMiles, or is a historical throwback to either Flying Orchid or Flies Often, or all of the above.
Sampling of related threads:
What is an FO?
What does "F0" after my Skymiles number mean?
Sampling of related threads:
What is an FO?
What does "F0" after my Skymiles number mean?