Feb 2, 2022, 10:25 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)
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
Sep 27, 2022, 9:30 am
#571
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,342
Are we still having the issue where the website displays "First Available with Upgrade Certificate" for both segments of a multi-segment flight, but when you call in to apply the cert, the agent says only one segment can be confirmed? Just had this happen again. I'm hoping it's just a mistake. Hard to believe this bait-and-switch is still an issue after being brought to Delta's attention many months ago.
I am trying again right now through messaging.
I will note that the FC fare available to purchase is D class.
Sep 27, 2022, 5:55 pm
#572
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,342
I have that issue with a direct flight. And when I ask agent why, they said only one RUC available while I have 2 people travelling. Not sure on that explanation but that is what I was told last week.
I am trying again right now through messaging.
I will note that the FC fare available to purchase is D class.
I am trying again right now through messaging.
I will note that the FC fare available to purchase is D class.
Sep 28, 2022, 12:27 am
#573
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 200
Are we still having the issue where the website displays "First Available with Upgrade Certificate" for both segments of a multi-segment flight, but when you call in to apply the cert, the agent says only one segment can be confirmed? Just had this happen again. I'm hoping it's just a mistake. Hard to believe this bait-and-switch is still an issue after being brought to Delta's attention many months ago.
Oct 1, 2022, 6:52 am
#574
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 759
Are we still having the issue where the website displays "First Available with Upgrade Certificate" for both segments of a multi-segment flight, but when you call in to apply the cert, the agent says only one segment can be confirmed? Just had this happen again. I'm hoping it's just a mistake. Hard to believe this bait-and-switch is still an issue after being brought to Delta's attention many months ago.
I have noted that you have to have the correct number of pax on the mock reservation to see if there is space for all.
Oct 1, 2022, 7:25 am
#576
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: DL DM; Marriott Titanium; *A Gold
Posts: 47
I'm flying JFK - LAX; applied an RUC (waitlisted) and have been hovering around ~4-5 on the list. I know this is a tough route to get upgraded on - but can someone please remind me of the RUC tie-breakers? Does it take over the normal complimentary upgrade hierarchy?
I saw D1 go from 16 available seats yesterday to just 1 seat now...I'll be flying this route regularly for the rest of the year, but I may need to get smart with choosing dates/travel time.
Edit: Ah just checked into this a bit more. It doesn't help that the first flight out today was canceled - many people would have been shifted over
I saw D1 go from 16 available seats yesterday to just 1 seat now...I'll be flying this route regularly for the rest of the year, but I may need to get smart with choosing dates/travel time.
Edit: Ah just checked into this a bit more. It doesn't help that the first flight out today was canceled - many people would have been shifted over
Last edited by MasterPengs; Oct 1, 2022 at 7:28 am Reason: Update
Oct 1, 2022, 12:11 pm
#577
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: Delta Platinum/1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 652
I'm flying JFK - LAX; applied an RUC (waitlisted) and have been hovering around ~4-5 on the list. I know this is a tough route to get upgraded on - but can someone please remind me of the RUC tie-breakers? Does it take over the normal complimentary upgrade hierarchy?
I saw D1 go from 16 available seats yesterday to just 1 seat now...I'll be flying this route regularly for the rest of the year, but I may need to get smart with choosing dates/travel time.
Edit: Ah just checked into this a bit more. It doesn't help that the first flight out today was canceled - many people would have been shifted over
I saw D1 go from 16 available seats yesterday to just 1 seat now...I'll be flying this route regularly for the rest of the year, but I may need to get smart with choosing dates/travel time.
Edit: Ah just checked into this a bit more. It doesn't help that the first flight out today was canceled - many people would have been shifted over
Oct 4, 2022, 3:59 pm
#578
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: MSP
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, UA Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 913
First time trying to use a RUC. I have MSP-SEA-LAX-HNL on the outbound and HNL-SEA-MSP on the return. Checking segment by segment, I can see that MSP-SEA, SEA-LAX and SEA-MSP show the message "First Available with Upgrade Certificate" whereas the LAX-HNL and the HNL-SEA legs show "First Available with Global Upgrade Certificate".
If I proceed to apply the RUC, does it immediately clear for the 3 legs that have availability? At what point does it clear for the LAX-HNL and HNL-SEA legs? Can I choose to only apply the RUC to the longer Hawaii legs?
If I proceed to apply the RUC, does it immediately clear for the 3 legs that have availability? At what point does it clear for the LAX-HNL and HNL-SEA legs? Can I choose to only apply the RUC to the longer Hawaii legs?
Oct 4, 2022, 4:11 pm
#579
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: 18,916
Whenever Revenue Management decides to open upgrade space for RUCs, there are no guarantees. It may be that they never open space before the flight goes to the gate, in which case waitlisted RUC requests will take priority over all comp upgrades.
Yes, you can indicate that you only want to waitlist for the longer flight. And if that later clears, it at least used to be the case that you could then extend the RUC request to include the other segment(s) in the same direction as well, but not sure if that's changed.
Oct 4, 2022, 4:44 pm
#580
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: DL Charter DM/DM/2MM, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,925
Apologies if this has been previously mentioned…if you arrive in the US on a Delta flight, and have one or more domestic flights to fly on the same reservation, you cannot use either a GUC or an RUC to waitlist for your remaining domestic flight(s). I didn’t know this until I tried to apply an RUC on my DTW>SFO flight yesterday having arrived at DTW from LHR. This has apparently been the case for many years!
Oct 4, 2022, 5:16 pm
#581
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
Apologies if this has been previously mentioned…if you arrive in the US on a Delta flight, and have one or more domestic flights to fly on the same reservation, you cannot use either a GUC or an RUC to waitlist for your remaining domestic flight(s). I didn’t know this until I tried to apply an RUC on my DTW>SFO flight yesterday having arrived at DTW from LHR. This has apparently been the case for many years!
Oct 4, 2022, 9:53 pm
#582
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: DL Charter DM/DM/2MM, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,925
Called in multiple times a few weeks before the outbound flight to LHR, then checked with the agents in the DTW SkyClub upon landing with a 5 hour layover, and was told the same thing, that a GUC or an RUC cannot be used in this situation!
Oct 5, 2022, 5:20 pm
#583
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,368
PSA for anyone going ATL-SEA next Fri (21 Oct) -- website is showing a special section 764 (DL8771, lv 830pm ar 1105pm) with "First Available with Upgrade Certificate"
I don't have RUCs, but booked a Q fare thru company travel and upfared with an e-cert
I don't have RUCs, but booked a Q fare thru company travel and upfared with an e-cert
Oct 6, 2022, 9:39 am
#584
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 253
Had an issue on flight from AUS-JFK on Sunday. Booked in May and immediately was able to use RUC to clear into F. Checked in for the flight at the T-24 window.
A few hours later ended up with an app notification that due to an equipment change I was now changed to a seat in Main. Called immediately and got a nice agent who basically said the flight was overbooked, no available seats. No options to same day change as no F seats in either other flight option. I was not on the upgrade list (which was very long) as I was still considered F in the system. They couldn't reissue my ticket to Y as they were afraid i would lose my seat. They were able to give me a voucher (least they could do) and redeposit the RUC in my account.
I ended up calling back and changing to the earlier flight with the same seat in Y, was #1 on the UG list for F and C+. Ended up clearing into C+ but not F as everyone checked in. At the end of the day annoying but made it home earlier and got the voucher to use towards another flight.
A few hours later ended up with an app notification that due to an equipment change I was now changed to a seat in Main. Called immediately and got a nice agent who basically said the flight was overbooked, no available seats. No options to same day change as no F seats in either other flight option. I was not on the upgrade list (which was very long) as I was still considered F in the system. They couldn't reissue my ticket to Y as they were afraid i would lose my seat. They were able to give me a voucher (least they could do) and redeposit the RUC in my account.
I ended up calling back and changing to the earlier flight with the same seat in Y, was #1 on the UG list for F and C+. Ended up clearing into C+ but not F as everyone checked in. At the end of the day annoying but made it home earlier and got the voucher to use towards another flight.
Oct 7, 2022, 12:22 pm
#585
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, DL MM
Posts: 4,245
If you have a flight with a confirmed RUC (that has not yet been processed) and the price on your coach ticket goes down, can they reprice it with you keeping the upgrade inventory?
This happened to me a couple days ago, but there was still upgrade inventory so it wasn't an issue - but I was curious what happens if there isn't inventory anymore
This happened to me a couple days ago, but there was still upgrade inventory so it wasn't an issue - but I was curious what happens if there isn't inventory anymore