Utilizing schedule changes to go from First to Delta One?
Feb 25, 2022 | 7:19 pm
#17
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: 28,002
Not so long ago, it was easier to get what you wanted by simply utilizing "HUCA" even if you didn't get what you wanted the first time. HUCA was an okay strategy for those with status when you could get through to an agent in 5 minutes or less in most cases. This probably resulted in more FTers have a bit more "consistency" in getting what they wanted since it may have taken 2-3 calls but you could eventually get an agent to process the change you wanted, be it within policy or not (those who required a "HUCA" probably noted that it took a HUCA to get what they wanted). However, with wait times now one has seen since the start of COVID of 1-2 hours even for high-level elites, "HUCA" is a less effective strategy. You're almost "stuck" with the "policy" as defined by the first agent you get, unless you want to go through the whole call process again. It becomes "luck of the draw" and probably has led to a wider variation in what FTers are experiencing as "policy" (again regardless of what policy actually is since as you note, "policy is what's practiced, not what's written."
Feb 26, 2022 | 2:34 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 13
Not so long ago, it was easier to get what you wanted by simply utilizing "HUCA" even if you didn't get what you wanted the first time. HUCA was an okay strategy for those with status when you could get through to an agent in 5 minutes or less in most cases. This probably resulted in more FTers have a bit more "consistency" in getting what they wanted since it may have taken 2-3 calls but you could eventually get an agent to process the change you wanted, be it within policy or not (those who required a "HUCA" probably noted that it took a HUCA to get what they wanted). However, with wait times now one has seen since the start of COVID of 1-2 hours even for high-level elites, "HUCA" is a less effective strategy. You're almost "stuck" with the "policy" as defined by the first agent you get, unless you want to go through the whole call process again. It becomes "luck of the draw" and probably has led to a wider variation in what FTers are experiencing as "policy" (again regardless of what policy actually is since as you note, "policy is what's practiced, not what's written."
May 31, 2022 | 8:13 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Hilton Honors (Team Member)
Posts: 29
I just want to provide an update to this. The connecting ATL-LAX-HNL first class flight I booked for 75,000 skymiles had a schedule change, and the app allowed me to modify the flight to ATL-HNL Delta One at no additional cost at all! Didn't even need to speak with a human. The same flight is currently bookable for 280,000 miles...
Sep 27, 2023 | 1:40 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2021
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 75
I know the last post regarding this topic was last May, so has anyone had recent success with this? There have been a couple of IT changes over the past year and I am wondering if this sweet spot still exists with regards to schedule changes or Delta has truly separated out Delta One and First tickets.