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)
I’m 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)
I’m 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
#241
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
Thanks for the replies, it was my understanding as well that limits went away as long as you have certificates for each companion.
As far away WL, yes that is my understanding as well. I know United gutted their plus points program when they said you couldn’t clear one segment and waitlist for another segment. Hope Delta doesn’t go that way too.
As far away WL, yes that is my understanding as well. I know United gutted their plus points program when they said you couldn’t clear one segment and waitlist for another segment. Hope Delta doesn’t go that way too.
#242
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 200
I had the same issue it appears many others are running into where the Delta website advertised RUC upgrade availability for both segments of a multi-segment trip but when I called to use the RUCs after booking, multiple agents told me that only one segment had availability.
I sent an email to Ed Bastian explaining the issue, including screenshots from the website showing that both segments were advertised as having RUC availability. The next morning, I got an email back from someone on their customer care team telling me that they would honor the RUCs on both segments, and my reservation now reflects an upgrade on both.
Hopefully they are also doing something to address the issue more systemically.
I sent an email to Ed Bastian explaining the issue, including screenshots from the website showing that both segments were advertised as having RUC availability. The next morning, I got an email back from someone on their customer care team telling me that they would honor the RUCs on both segments, and my reservation now reflects an upgrade on both.
Hopefully they are also doing something to address the issue more systemically.
#243
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: DL, Hilton, National
Posts: 841
Had another case of this today with website showing availability. Agent who took the call initially told me that any upgrade availability means GUC, and that there is no way to tell a difference on the website. I explained that it isn't saying GUC, it is only saying Upgrade Certificate. She told me "it never tells you the difference, its just telling you that you could use a GUC". Her level of talking over me and rudeness was too much. Asked to speak with a supervisor. While waiting, she decided to come back on the line and argue with me even further that the website means GUC and there is no way to see the difference. I finally said, "I'd prefer not to argue with you about this any more." She said, "well the supervisor is here now..." and put me on hold for another 20 minutes.
Supervisor finally comes on the line and says the same thing "you can't tell the difference, it doesn't tell you." When I explained that it would, she went to the website and said, "oh, yes, I do see that now. It does show you the difference. I didn't think it did that with Domestic flights." She puts me on hold another 10 minutes, comes back on the line and says "I don't want to keep you on hold, but I am taking care of this, and I will confirm you on both legs. My name is N. and you will receive an email within an hour." Still haven't received the email, but the itinerary is now showing OV.
Supervisor finally comes on the line and says the same thing "you can't tell the difference, it doesn't tell you." When I explained that it would, she went to the website and said, "oh, yes, I do see that now. It does show you the difference. I didn't think it did that with Domestic flights." She puts me on hold another 10 minutes, comes back on the line and says "I don't want to keep you on hold, but I am taking care of this, and I will confirm you on both legs. My name is N. and you will receive an email within an hour." Still haven't received the email, but the itinerary is now showing OV.
#244
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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: 18,913
If they aren't going to temporarily remove the buggy display, I'm glad to hear they are honoring RUC upgrades when the website says they're available in at least a few cases...
Out of curiosity what bucket did these rebook into?
Please keep an eye out and keep us posted when this is reissued and see which type of cert gets pulled... according to the wiki RUC upgrades into domestic F are supposed to use OL (OV is for GUCs)
I sent an email to Ed Bastian explaining the issue, including screenshots from the website showing that both segments were advertised as having RUC availability. The next morning, I got an email back from someone on their customer care team telling me that they would honor the RUCs on both segments, and my reservation now reflects an upgrade on both.
Please keep an eye out and keep us posted when this is reissued and see which type of cert gets pulled... according to the wiki RUC upgrades into domestic F are supposed to use OL (OV is for GUCs)
#245
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
If they aren't going to temporarily remove the buggy display, I'm glad to hear they are honoring RUC upgrades when the website says they're available in at least a few cases...
Out of curiosity what bucket did these rebook into?
Please keep an eye out and keep us posted when this is reissued and see which type of cert gets pulled... according to the wiki RUC upgrades into domestic F are supposed to use OL (OV is for GUCs)
Out of curiosity what bucket did these rebook into?
Please keep an eye out and keep us posted when this is reissued and see which type of cert gets pulled... according to the wiki RUC upgrades into domestic F are supposed to use OL (OV is for GUCs)
#246
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LAX/ONT
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott G, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 518
Is it possible for a flight showing GUC only now, and later it can open up to RUC? Looking at OGG-LAX May 1st redeye DL 1031. Not an expertflyer subscriber, so no alerts
#247
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 200
If they aren't going to temporarily remove the buggy display, I'm glad to hear they are honoring RUC upgrades when the website says they're available in at least a few cases...
Out of curiosity what bucket did these rebook into?
Please keep an eye out and keep us posted when this is reissued and see which type of cert gets pulled... according to the wiki RUC upgrades into domestic F are supposed to use OL (OV is for GUCs)
Out of curiosity what bucket did these rebook into?
Please keep an eye out and keep us posted when this is reissued and see which type of cert gets pulled... according to the wiki RUC upgrades into domestic F are supposed to use OL (OV is for GUCs)
#248
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 61
Months ago I called and waited 2 hours for a callback to get added to the wait list to use a RUC.
A week before the flight I call again, agent says I'm not on the wait list and adds me (allegedly). Already a bad sign, but at least this time it says "upgrade wait listed" on delta.com.
T-24, I'm not on the upgrade list with a message saying "you wont appear on the list until activated by a gate agent". Great, I'll get to the gate early and talk to the agent.
Get to gate, agent says I have no idea what you're talking about, and they can't add me to the upgrade list even under a complimentary medallion upgrade because of a mystery error. So now I'm firmly SOL and would have been better off taking my chances with a medallion upgrade.
Remind me again why RUCs are a "benefit"?
A week before the flight I call again, agent says I'm not on the wait list and adds me (allegedly). Already a bad sign, but at least this time it says "upgrade wait listed" on delta.com.
T-24, I'm not on the upgrade list with a message saying "you wont appear on the list until activated by a gate agent". Great, I'll get to the gate early and talk to the agent.
Get to gate, agent says I have no idea what you're talking about, and they can't add me to the upgrade list even under a complimentary medallion upgrade because of a mystery error. So now I'm firmly SOL and would have been better off taking my chances with a medallion upgrade.
Remind me again why RUCs are a "benefit"?
#249
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: AF/KL Gold, DL Diamond, Hertz PC, Bonvoy Gold Elite; Hilton Gold
Posts: 997
Months ago I called and waited 2 hours for a callback to get added to the wait list to use a RUC.
A week before the flight I call again, agent says I'm not on the wait list and adds me (allegedly). Already a bad sign, but at least this time it says "upgrade wait listed" on delta.com.
T-24, I'm not on the upgrade list with a message saying "you wont appear on the list until activated by a gate agent". Great, I'll get to the gate early and talk to the agent.
Get to gate, agent says I have no idea what you're talking about, and they can't add me to the upgrade list even under a complimentary medallion upgrade because of a mystery error. So now I'm firmly SOL and would have been better off taking my chances with a medallion upgrade.
Remind me again why RUCs are a "benefit"?
A week before the flight I call again, agent says I'm not on the wait list and adds me (allegedly). Already a bad sign, but at least this time it says "upgrade wait listed" on delta.com.
T-24, I'm not on the upgrade list with a message saying "you wont appear on the list until activated by a gate agent". Great, I'll get to the gate early and talk to the agent.
Get to gate, agent says I have no idea what you're talking about, and they can't add me to the upgrade list even under a complimentary medallion upgrade because of a mystery error. So now I'm firmly SOL and would have been better off taking my chances with a medallion upgrade.
Remind me again why RUCs are a "benefit"?
#250
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: Delta
Posts: 17
I'm traveling JFK-SFO at the end of May. I called to be waitlisted with RUCs but when I go on delta.com, it shows upgrade requested not upgrade waitlisted. I called again and they said they can see that I've been waitlisted with RUCs but it will not show until 24 hrs before the flight. Is this right? How do I ensure that I am actually on the waitlist for the flights?
#251
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: DL, UA, AA
Posts: 1,996
I'm traveling JFK-SFO at the end of May. I called to be waitlisted with RUCs but when I go on delta.com, it shows upgrade requested not upgrade waitlisted. I called again and they said they can see that I've been waitlisted with RUCs but it will not show until 24 hrs before the flight. Is this right? How do I ensure that I am actually on the waitlist for the flights?
#252
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
I'm traveling JFK-SFO at the end of May. I called to be waitlisted with RUCs but when I go on delta.com, it shows upgrade requested not upgrade waitlisted. I called again and they said they can see that I've been waitlisted with RUCs but it will not show until 24 hrs before the flight. Is this right? How do I ensure that I am actually on the waitlist for the flights?
#253
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, DL MM
Posts: 4,245
#254
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, DL MM
Posts: 4,245
Anyone have an issue with getting a confirmed upgrade reticketed? I usually like to call a week before to get it done if it hasn't happened automatically -- but I keep being told they won't do it until 3 days before....
is that a new thing?
is that a new thing?
#255
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ATW
Programs: Delta Skymiles Diamond Medallion, Delta Amex Reserve, Marriott Rewards Silver, HH Diamond, IHG Spire
Posts: 269
Had a leg clear for an RUC then got second leg covered as well, about 10 days out, maybe 7, but was told same - needs to go in que. I was texting and in London with other things to do so didn't worry. As of yesterday, about 4 days out, I hadn't been reticketed yet. Texted in, got sent to a "Ticketing Specialist", after about an hour or two wait they came back, said give me a few, and was quickly reticketed. Might be they are so busy these are being pushed off to the last minute, but important to keep an eye on.