Fare Class No Longer a Factor in Upgrade Priority
Oct 23, 2023, 7:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,746
Fare Class No Longer a Factor in Upgrade Priority
There is some discussion of this in various threads - but I think it is so significant that it deserves its own thread.
For years, one of the factors in determining upgrade priority within an elite status has been fare class - a Gold in a higher fare class would get upgraded before a Gold in a lower fare class. As of January 1, fare class will cease to be a factor/
Current Priority 2: Fare Class Groupings: higher priced fares are ranked above lower priced fares.
New Priority 2 as of January 1, 2024: Cabin Purchased (Original + Paid Upgrades)
The full list of the priority criteria before and after January 1, 2024, is here: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...%20the%20order
For years, one of the factors in determining upgrade priority within an elite status has been fare class - a Gold in a higher fare class would get upgraded before a Gold in a lower fare class. As of January 1, fare class will cease to be a factor/
Current Priority 2: Fare Class Groupings: higher priced fares are ranked above lower priced fares.
New Priority 2 as of January 1, 2024: Cabin Purchased (Original + Paid Upgrades)
The full list of the priority criteria before and after January 1, 2024, is here: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...%20the%20order
Oct 23, 2023, 8:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: On the run
Programs: DL 2MM/DM, Hilton LT Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Titanium
Posts: 573
I remember years ago when a Y, B, and M domestic fare would auto upgrade into F space pending.
With over 74% premium cabin purchased these days, comp upgrades are pre-pandemic.
I have posted in the previous threads when this was announced last week that it will encourage ‘buying up’ to comfort plus now, but it is unknown the FCM offers that DL revenue management will offer— as I suspect will be very aggressive now considering that MM status is the #3 tiebreaker.
With over 74% premium cabin purchased these days, comp upgrades are pre-pandemic.
I have posted in the previous threads when this was announced last week that it will encourage ‘buying up’ to comfort plus now, but it is unknown the FCM offers that DL revenue management will offer— as I suspect will be very aggressive now considering that MM status is the #3 tiebreaker.
Oct 23, 2023, 9:18 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
To be fair, a lot of discounted domestic F fares these days are likely cheaper than the Y/B/M fares of yesteryear, and while not refundable, can still be changed without a change fee.
Oct 23, 2023, 10:22 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,630
MQDs earned in the current calendar year is listed as Priority 6. So basically all medallion members will be tied at the cabin tier, then the next 5 tiers will decide who gets the upgrade?
Oct 23, 2023, 10:22 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
Interesting.
So come February 1, 2024 "natural" Gold and Silver Medallion members are really in trouble because 1MM become Gold. A 1MM in coach on a LUT fare will outrank any other non-1MM Gold on a YBM fare (well, any coach fare) for a complimentary upgrade. Of course we can all LOL about how Golds will never be upgraded in the first place
I look forward to seeing my name much higher on the list and much lower than ever having a chance of an actual upgrade.
-RM
So come February 1, 2024 "natural" Gold and Silver Medallion members are really in trouble because 1MM become Gold. A 1MM in coach on a LUT fare will outrank any other non-1MM Gold on a YBM fare (well, any coach fare) for a complimentary upgrade. Of course we can all LOL about how Golds will never be upgraded in the first place
I look forward to seeing my name much higher on the list and much lower than ever having a chance of an actual upgrade.
-RM
Oct 23, 2023, 10:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,630
Interesting.
So come February 1, 2024 "natural" Gold and Silver Medallion members are really in trouble because 1MM become Gold. A 1MM in coach on a LUT fare will outrank any other non-1MM Gold on a YBM fare (well, any coach fare) for a complimentary upgrade. Of course we can all LOL about how Golds will never be upgraded in the first place
I look forward to seeing my name much higher on the list and much lower than ever having a chance of an actual upgrade.
-RM
So come February 1, 2024 "natural" Gold and Silver Medallion members are really in trouble because 1MM become Gold. A 1MM in coach on a LUT fare will outrank any other non-1MM Gold on a YBM fare (well, any coach fare) for a complimentary upgrade. Of course we can all LOL about how Golds will never be upgraded in the first place
I look forward to seeing my name much higher on the list and much lower than ever having a chance of an actual upgrade.
-RM
Oct 23, 2023, 11:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: KATL
Programs: DL DM/2MM
Posts: 2,034
I have posted in the previous threads when this was announced last week that it will encourage ‘buying up’ to comfort plus now, but it is unknown the FCM offers that DL revenue management will offer— as I suspect will be very aggressive now considering that MM status is the #3 tiebreaker.
Doesn't seem to make much sense to pay more money for the mere chance of getting an upgrade. You could very well find yourself with nothing to show for all the extra dough you shelled out.
Oct 24, 2023, 12:03 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Question for Delta Flyers. I mostly gave up on DL about a dozen years ago. Thinking about going back.
Under the new system, what are the overall odds of complimentary upgrades as a Diamond/2MM. I'm guessing I would get upgrades on 99 out of 100 flights.
Under the new system, what are the overall odds of complimentary upgrades as a Diamond/2MM. I'm guessing I would get upgrades on 99 out of 100 flights.
Oct 24, 2023, 1:21 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta 2M DM, Southwest A List and CP
Posts: 1,102
Well, yes, to Comfort+ assuming that they book early. However, I don't think that that is what you meant... With F purchases in strong demand, F upgrades for Diamonds are few and far between, depending on the route and day/time of day. I think that most Diamonds have a less-than-50% F upgrade score these days, and that is not going to improve much in the new system (many Diamonds have a lot of MQMs saved up and will continue to be Diamond for years at 100K MQM/year).
Oct 24, 2023, 2:26 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Well, yes, to Comfort+ assuming that they book early. However, I don't think that that is what you meant... With F purchases in strong demand, F upgrades for Diamonds are few and far between, depending on the route and day/time of day. I think that most Diamonds have a less-than-50% F upgrade score these days, and that is not going to improve much in the new system (many Diamonds have a lot of MQMs saved up and will continue to be Diamond for years at 100K MQM/year).
But I'm asking because with the new MM rules, MMs go ahead of all the other non-MM Diamonds, and 2MM puts you ahead of all the 1MM Diamonds. So I'm assuming I would always be at the very top of the UG list.
Oct 24, 2023, 2:38 am
#12
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: 27,045
I remember years ago when a Y, B, and M domestic fare would auto upgrade into F space pending.
With over 74% premium cabin purchased these days, comp upgrades are pre-pandemic.
I have posted in the previous threads when this was announced last week that it will encourage ‘buying up’ to comfort plus now, but it is unknown the FCM offers that DL revenue management will offer— as I suspect will be very aggressive now considering that MM status is the #3 tiebreaker.
With over 74% premium cabin purchased these days, comp upgrades are pre-pandemic.
I have posted in the previous threads when this was announced last week that it will encourage ‘buying up’ to comfort plus now, but it is unknown the FCM offers that DL revenue management will offer— as I suspect will be very aggressive now considering that MM status is the #3 tiebreaker.
The wording reflects fact PS is now a cabin on some domestic flights.
Oct 24, 2023, 6:00 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,373
not quite so high, but much better than non MM diamonds who will now maybe see a FC upgrade on 1-10 of 100 flights.