Feb 2, 22, 11:25 pm
Last edit by: bgriff
For discussion of same-day change on an itinerary with an RUC applied, see: SDC while using Regional Upgrade Certificates (RUC) Definitive Thread
FEB 1, 2022 New GUC/RUC Inventory Rules
*****GUC*****
Flight has First Class
MC/C+ = Purchased
First = Last Seat J (Old Policy = OY)
Flight has DPS only
MC/C+ = Purchased
DPS = Last Seat (GUC=P / RUC=G) (Old Policy = RY)
Flight has D1 with no DPS
MC/C+ = Purchased
D1 = Z (Old Policy = OY)
Flight has D1 with DPS
MC/C+ = Purchased
DPS = Last Seat (GUC=P / RUC=G) (Old Policy = RY)
D1 = OY @ T-24h15m
Flight has D1 with DPS
DPS = Purchased
D1 = Z (Old Policy = OY)
Note: If GUC applied to domestic flight, it has better inventory than RUC (better chance for D1 transcon or to Hawaii)
*****RUC*****
Flight has First Class
MC/C+ = Purchased
First = Z (Old Policy = OY)
Flight has D1 with no DPS
MC/C+ = Purchased
D1 = OY (no change in old policy = OY)
Delta is using public inventory buckets J Z P G (and non-public bucket OY in some cases) to determine GUC/RUC availability. However once they have confirmed you the system converts the segment in your reservation to a different bucket. Here is the class mapping:
GUC Usage
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to DPS / P class needed / Books into RV (Clears at T-24.15 into D1 as OX if OY available)
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to D1 (no DPS) / Z class needed / Books into OK
DPS purchased / Upgrade to D1 / Z class needed / Books into OK
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to FC (no D1/DPS) / J class needed / Books into OV
RUC Usage
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to DPS / G class needed / Books into RX (Clears at T-24.15 into D1 as OX if OY available) ****THIS AIRCRAFT CONFIG MAKES NO SENSE DPS IS NOT SOLD ON RUC ROUTES, MAYBE THIS IS FOR FUTURE PLANS?****
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to D1 (no DPS) / OY class needed / Books into OX
DPS purchased / Upgrade to D1 / OY class needed / Books into OX ****THIS AIRCRAFT CONFIG MAKES NO SENSE DPS IS NOT SOLD ON RUC ROUTES, MAYBE THIS IS FOR FUTURE PLANS?****
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to FC (no D1/DPS) / Z class needed / Books into OL
New Delta.com Upgrade Availability Indicators that appeared 2/1/22 and what they mean
Dom D1 Tag meaning:
Global Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in Z (OY = 0 for RUC)
Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in Z /or/ RUC in OY both available
Dom F Tag meaning:
Global Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in Last Seat J (Z = 0 for RUC)
Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in last seat J /or/ RUC in Z both available
Example D1 Flights from JFK - LAX (flight numbers are fictitious)
DL 01
Dom D1 flight
Actual Availability: J5 C4 D4 Z3
Hidden Availability: OY2
Website indicator: Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (2 RUC (OY) open, 3 GUC (Z) open)
DL 02
Dom D1 flight
Actual Availability: J5 C4 D4 Z3
Hidden Availability: OY0
Website indicator: Global Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (0 RUC (OY) open, 3 GUC (Z) open)
DL 03
Dom D1 flight
Actual Availability: J3 C2 D2 Z0
Hidden Availability: OY0
Website indicator: No flag - neither is available GUC (Z0) and RUC (OY0)
DL 04
Dom First flight
Actual Availability: J3 C2 D2 Z1
Hidden Availability: n/a
Website indicator: Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (1 RUC (Z) open, 3 GUC (J) open)
DL 05
Dom First flight
Actual Availability: J3 C2 D2 Z0
Hidden Availability: n/a
Website indicator: Global Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (0 RUC (Z) open, 3 GUC (J) open)
DL 06
Dom First flight
Actual Availability: J0 C0 D0 Z0
Hidden Availability: n/a
Website indicator: No flag - neither is available
Actual decode: (0 RUC (Z) open, 0 GUC (J) open)
Im not able to check-in online for a flight where RUC/GUC was applied.
The problem is most likely that your upgrade cleared but your ticket has not been re-issued. Call to request a manual re-issue of your ticket.
__________________________________________________ __
PRE FEB 1, 2022 WIKI
More information and discussion about using same-day change after applying regional upgrades can be found in this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delt...ve-thread.html
While the RUC process is almost entirely opaque, there are a couple of "hints" of a correctly applied waitlist.
1a) When viewing a waitlisted segment on the DL.com web site (not the app), there may be two seat maps for the same flight. The first seat map shows the coach seat you are currently in, and the second seat map for the same flight says "you may not select seats for this flight" or something like that. This second seat map corresponds to a part of the waitlist process, and indicates that at least one step of the multi-step process to add an RUC waitlist was actually done. Unfortunately, this does NOT indicate that the other manual steps of the RUC waitlist process were successfully completed by the agent (i.e. even if you see the second seat map, there still could be something wrong. There is simply no way for the customer to tell.)
1b) The status for a waitlisted segment should say something like "Upgrade Waitlisted"
2) Assuming the waitlist does not clear prior to check-in, the second hint is the upgrade waitlist. If the RUC waitlist request was coded correctly, you should show up at or very near the top of the upgrade waitlist that you can see on DL.com or the app. If you find yourself at your "usual" spot on the upgrade waitlist, this is a clue that the RUC waitlist request was not coded correctly.
3) The RUC is a form of "payment". Until the RUC clears, it remains "unused" so a waitlisted RUC will still show in your wallet as "open".
You may also wish to peruse the wiki for the GUC success thread as some of the considerations/logistics are similar between RUCs and GUCs.
FEB 1, 2022 New GUC/RUC Inventory Rules
*****GUC*****
Flight has First Class
MC/C+ = Purchased
First = Last Seat J (Old Policy = OY)
Flight has DPS only
MC/C+ = Purchased
DPS = Last Seat (GUC=P / RUC=G) (Old Policy = RY)
Flight has D1 with no DPS
MC/C+ = Purchased
D1 = Z (Old Policy = OY)
Flight has D1 with DPS
MC/C+ = Purchased
DPS = Last Seat (GUC=P / RUC=G) (Old Policy = RY)
D1 = OY @ T-24h15m
Flight has D1 with DPS
DPS = Purchased
D1 = Z (Old Policy = OY)
Note: If GUC applied to domestic flight, it has better inventory than RUC (better chance for D1 transcon or to Hawaii)
*****RUC*****
Flight has First Class
MC/C+ = Purchased
First = Z (Old Policy = OY)
Flight has D1 with no DPS
MC/C+ = Purchased
D1 = OY (no change in old policy = OY)
Delta is using public inventory buckets J Z P G (and non-public bucket OY in some cases) to determine GUC/RUC availability. However once they have confirmed you the system converts the segment in your reservation to a different bucket. Here is the class mapping:
GUC Usage
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to DPS / P class needed / Books into RV (Clears at T-24.15 into D1 as OX if OY available)
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to D1 (no DPS) / Z class needed / Books into OK
DPS purchased / Upgrade to D1 / Z class needed / Books into OK
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to FC (no D1/DPS) / J class needed / Books into OV
RUC Usage
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to DPS / G class needed / Books into RX (Clears at T-24.15 into D1 as OX if OY available) ****THIS AIRCRAFT CONFIG MAKES NO SENSE DPS IS NOT SOLD ON RUC ROUTES, MAYBE THIS IS FOR FUTURE PLANS?****
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to D1 (no DPS) / OY class needed / Books into OX
DPS purchased / Upgrade to D1 / OY class needed / Books into OX ****THIS AIRCRAFT CONFIG MAKES NO SENSE DPS IS NOT SOLD ON RUC ROUTES, MAYBE THIS IS FOR FUTURE PLANS?****
MC or C+ purchased / Upgrade to FC (no D1/DPS) / Z class needed / Books into OL
New Delta.com Upgrade Availability Indicators that appeared 2/1/22 and what they mean
Dom D1 Tag meaning:
Global Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in Z (OY = 0 for RUC)
Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in Z /or/ RUC in OY both available
Dom F Tag meaning:
Global Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in Last Seat J (Z = 0 for RUC)
Upgrade Certificate Available = GUC in last seat J /or/ RUC in Z both available
Example D1 Flights from JFK - LAX (flight numbers are fictitious)
DL 01
Dom D1 flight
Actual Availability: J5 C4 D4 Z3
Hidden Availability: OY2
Website indicator: Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (2 RUC (OY) open, 3 GUC (Z) open)
DL 02
Dom D1 flight
Actual Availability: J5 C4 D4 Z3
Hidden Availability: OY0
Website indicator: Global Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (0 RUC (OY) open, 3 GUC (Z) open)
DL 03
Dom D1 flight
Actual Availability: J3 C2 D2 Z0
Hidden Availability: OY0
Website indicator: No flag - neither is available GUC (Z0) and RUC (OY0)
DL 04
Dom First flight
Actual Availability: J3 C2 D2 Z1
Hidden Availability: n/a
Website indicator: Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (1 RUC (Z) open, 3 GUC (J) open)
DL 05
Dom First flight
Actual Availability: J3 C2 D2 Z0
Hidden Availability: n/a
Website indicator: Global Upgrade Certificate Available
Actual decode: (0 RUC (Z) open, 3 GUC (J) open)
DL 06
Dom First flight
Actual Availability: J0 C0 D0 Z0
Hidden Availability: n/a
Website indicator: No flag - neither is available
Actual decode: (0 RUC (Z) open, 0 GUC (J) open)
Im not able to check-in online for a flight where RUC/GUC was applied.
The problem is most likely that your upgrade cleared but your ticket has not been re-issued. Call to request a manual re-issue of your ticket.
__________________________________________________ __
PRE FEB 1, 2022 WIKI
More information and discussion about using same-day change after applying regional upgrades can be found in this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delt...ve-thread.html
The clock begins ticking on RUC expiration when you make your choice benefit selection, so it's possible to time your selection when there is a specific need to use them.You can select your 2017 choice benefit as soon as DL recognizes your Plat status. Certificates expire 12 months from date of issue. 2019 choice benefits (earned based on how much one flew in 2018) must be selected by Jan 31, 2020.- If you select certificates as your choice benefit late in your Medallion tenure, it will still be valid after your status expires -- so for example if you earn Platinum Medallion in 2018, which is valid through Jan 31, 2020, but then only earn Silver Medallion in 2019, which becomes effective Feb 1, 2020 when your Platinum Medallion status expires, RUCs selected in January 2020 would be valid through January 2021 and could be used once you were only a Silver Medallion member, giving you a much higher upgrade list position on those flights where you attempt to use them.
- If you request to use a RUC on a flight and do not receive the upgrade, it is returned to your account for future use, but check your account to make sure.
- RUC may be redeemed for the named Medallion member and up to one travel companion traveling on the same flight (the companion officially no longer needs to be in the same reservation, though that rule was not actually enforced even when it was the official rule). The named member and the companion will each require a separate certificate.
While the RUC process is almost entirely opaque, there are a couple of "hints" of a correctly applied waitlist.
1a) When viewing a waitlisted segment on the DL.com web site (not the app), there may be two seat maps for the same flight. The first seat map shows the coach seat you are currently in, and the second seat map for the same flight says "you may not select seats for this flight" or something like that. This second seat map corresponds to a part of the waitlist process, and indicates that at least one step of the multi-step process to add an RUC waitlist was actually done. Unfortunately, this does NOT indicate that the other manual steps of the RUC waitlist process were successfully completed by the agent (i.e. even if you see the second seat map, there still could be something wrong. There is simply no way for the customer to tell.)
1b) The status for a waitlisted segment should say something like "Upgrade Waitlisted"
2) Assuming the waitlist does not clear prior to check-in, the second hint is the upgrade waitlist. If the RUC waitlist request was coded correctly, you should show up at or very near the top of the upgrade waitlist that you can see on DL.com or the app. If you find yourself at your "usual" spot on the upgrade waitlist, this is a clue that the RUC waitlist request was not coded correctly.
3) The RUC is a form of "payment". Until the RUC clears, it remains "unused" so a waitlisted RUC will still show in your wallet as "open".
You may also wish to peruse the wiki for the GUC success thread as some of the considerations/logistics are similar between RUCs and GUCs.
Using Regional Upgrades on Delta (RUC) post 2/1/2022
Mar 8, 22, 9:51 am
#151
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LGA
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Marriott Plat Prem., Hilton Gold, National Exec Elite.
Posts: 2,531
has anyone found RUC space available on any D1 flight post March 1? JFK to LAX or BOS TO LAX, or the other few domestic D1 flights? I still can't find a single one.. (only flights that will clear with GUC, but not RUC).
Mar 8, 22, 10:00 am
#152
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,064
No, but I've confirmed with multiple agents that RUC D1 space now requires "OX" availability, not the previous "OY" availability. The problem seems to be that most flights simply have not been coded with an OX bucket (meaning it is impossible to assign them inventory to that bucket).
Mar 8, 22, 11:42 am
#153
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New York City
Programs: UA: Gold, Hyatt: Globalist and Marriott: LF Titanium Elite & Ambassador
Posts: 1,252
No, but I've confirmed with multiple agents that RUC D1 space now requires "OX" availability, not the previous "OY" availability. The problem seems to be that most flights simply have not been coded with an OX bucket (meaning it is impossible to assign them inventory to that bucket).
Mar 8, 22, 4:09 pm
#154
Join Date: May 2019
Location: BOS YYZ
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 50
Cleared D1 BOS-LAX on May 3rd and LAX-BOS on May 10th
Mar 8, 22, 6:47 pm
#155
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LGA
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Marriott Plat Prem., Hilton Gold, National Exec Elite.
Posts: 2,531
Wow nice - thanks for reporting. Did the website show "Delta One available with UPGRADE certificate" or did you have to call in ? I just looked BOS TO LAX on a ton of dates including around yours and they all require global. Thanks!!
Mar 8, 22, 8:55 pm
#156
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LGA
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Marriott Plat Prem., Hilton Gold, National Exec Elite.
Posts: 2,531
Another RUC question - for first time in ages Im waitlisted and I just tried cancelling my ticket (mainly as a test to see if the RUC was waitlisted) and it looked like it was letting me cancel (stopped one screen shy) - I thought If waitlisted it would force me to call in - am i mistaken or am I not really on waitlist ?
Mar 8, 22, 9:16 pm
#157
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LGA
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Marriott Plat Prem., Hilton Gold, National Exec Elite.
Posts: 2,531
Another RUC question - for first time in ages Im waitlisted and I just tried cancelling my ticket (mainly as a test to see if the RUC was waitlisted) and it looked like it was letting me cancel (stopped one screen shy) - I thought If waitlisted it would force me to call in - am i mistaken or am I not really on waitlist ?
Mar 8, 22, 9:30 pm
#158
Join Date: May 2019
Location: BOS YYZ
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 50
It showed "Delta One available with UPGRADE certificate" on delta.com and I called to verify and applied RUCs.
Mar 8, 22, 9:35 pm
#159
Join Date: May 2019
Location: BOS YYZ
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 50
Another RUC question - for first time in ages Im waitlisted and I just tried cancelling my ticket (mainly as a test to see if the RUC was waitlisted) and it looked like it was letting me cancel (stopped one screen shy) - I thought If waitlisted it would force me to call in - am i mistaken or am I not really on waitlist ?
Mar 9, 22, 8:11 pm
#160
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Hyatt-Glob, DL-Dia, AA-EXP
Posts: 71
When do RUC/GUC formally get pulled from account and disappear from the wallet?
Can anyone advise when an RUC/GUC is definitively used and marked as "closed" in the Delta wallet?
I have two future trips with certificates that were applied and I am now upgraded; however, I still see all my RUC's in the account.
Normally, I wouldn't care, but as I have more certs than I project I can use before the 1/31/2023 expiration, I want to exchange all the unused ones for miles.
Worried that if I do this and certs are still "open" I will lose my upgrades.
I have two future trips with certificates that were applied and I am now upgraded; however, I still see all my RUC's in the account.
Normally, I wouldn't care, but as I have more certs than I project I can use before the 1/31/2023 expiration, I want to exchange all the unused ones for miles.
Worried that if I do this and certs are still "open" I will lose my upgrades.
Mar 9, 22, 8:22 pm
#161
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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: 18,355
In theory, reissue will eventually happen the closer it gets to actual flight time, but there are *numerous* reports recently of people being unable to check in because the automated system has failed to keep up, in which case you'll get the oops you don't have an electronic ticket error and have to call/message to get reissued before you can check in. So most people who are aware would probably prefer to contact DL proactively to make sure reissue happens sooner.
Mar 10, 22, 1:09 am
#162
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LGA
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Marriott Plat Prem., Hilton Gold, National Exec Elite.
Posts: 2,531
I managed to use RUC for end of month BOS TO LAX... did NOT show up as available on website; I lucked out through chat when asking if there was availability.. Now something VERY interesting happened ... the flight that I used an RUC on today booked into OY; and the flight I booked at the end of February (the return) booked into OX. Important note, as per my usual practice I ask that my tickets be immediately reissued and I didn't think of checking fare classes BEFORE reissuing; but after reissuing I ended up with OY on today's ticket; and OX with the one from pre-March 1.
Mar 10, 22, 10:55 pm
#163
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,369
At the moment, if I search for AMS-ATL on 4/11, EF shows Z5 on DL71 and Z1 on DL73. But on delta.com, 71 shows the D1 available with GUC message and 73 doesnt.
It seems that the 1 seat in Z inventory is real, as opposed to an EF bug, as it shows up in .com results where an applicable Z fare exists (e.g. paired with a 3/28 outbound ATL-AMS). Probably just a glitch, but figured Id mention as Ive yet to see a mention in this thread where the indicator doesnt match Z availability.
Edit to add: solved the mystery, I think. From experimenting with EFs point of sale dropdown, that flight is currently at Z1 in PoS US and JP but Z0 from all other points of sale. Delta.com prices with the point of origination as the point of sale, so searching AMS-ATL was giving me the NL PoS inventory result. This is a good reminder to take directionality into account when it might make a difference (e.g. be careful using a OW search to check availability if the segment to be upgraded is actually a return leg or the ticket was sold elsewhere).
It seems that the 1 seat in Z inventory is real, as opposed to an EF bug, as it shows up in .com results where an applicable Z fare exists (e.g. paired with a 3/28 outbound ATL-AMS). Probably just a glitch, but figured Id mention as Ive yet to see a mention in this thread where the indicator doesnt match Z availability.
Edit to add: solved the mystery, I think. From experimenting with EFs point of sale dropdown, that flight is currently at Z1 in PoS US and JP but Z0 from all other points of sale. Delta.com prices with the point of origination as the point of sale, so searching AMS-ATL was giving me the NL PoS inventory result. This is a good reminder to take directionality into account when it might make a difference (e.g. be careful using a OW search to check availability if the segment to be upgraded is actually a return leg or the ticket was sold elsewhere).
Last edited by 21A; Mar 10, 22 at 11:11 pm
Mar 11, 22, 3:40 pm
#164
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: DL DM, 1.5 MM; UA Plat; HHonors Diamond; AMEX Platinum
Posts: 479
In theory, reissue will eventually happen the closer it gets to actual flight time, but there are *numerous* reports recently of people being unable to check in because the automated system has failed to keep up, in which case you'll get the oops you don't have an electronic ticket error and have to call/message to get reissued before you can check in. So most people who are aware would probably prefer to contact DL proactively to make sure reissue happens sooner.
Mar 12, 22, 10:31 am
#165
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SJU
Programs: Amex FHR elite travel agent, Ritz Stars, Hyatt Prive, Four Seasons Preferred Partner and others
Posts: 1,518
I managed to use RUC for end of month BOS TO LAX... did NOT show up as available on website; I lucked out through chat when asking if there was availability.. Now something VERY interesting happened ... the flight that I used an RUC on today booked into OY; and the flight I booked at the end of February (the return) booked into OX. Important note, as per my usual practice I ask that my tickets be immediately reissued and I didn't think of checking fare classes BEFORE reissuing; but after reissuing I ended up with OY on today's ticket; and OX with the one from pre-March 1.
Ridiculous that this still hasn't been fixed.
