How do I avoid being upgraded?
 

I have a dumb newbie question for all of you:

I'm a new Silver elite. I strongly prefer window seats.

On my first trip after getting status, DL automatically upgraded me from window seats in the regular cabin to middle seats in Economy Comfort.

To me, a middle seat in Economy Comfort is less appealing than a window seat in the main cabin.

I had not requested an upgrade in the app.

Is there any way, in addition to not requesting an upgrade in the app, that I can ensure I don't get auto upgraded?

In the app you can request an upgrade to the first class only, and uncheck economy comfort option, then save.

I believe there's a place for that specific flight, and also a place in your account that you can set in general.

You can select a preference for window and aisle.

I wish there were also a selection for "don't upgrade me and a companion in comfort+ unless it's a configuration like I already have (two seats on the side)", as I'd rather be in MAIN unless we get that specific configuration.

https://www.delta.com/my-profile/preferences

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0d4886dca6.png


The link for itins is shown below. I've noticed sometimes the upgrade to First request can get de-selected on individual itins. Not sure what causes this, but I just noticed mine were de-selected below and I had to re-request them. If you've ever checked-in and found that you are not on the FC upgrade list, this is probably what happened. It can also cause you to get passed over for window upgrades.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2951051be9.png


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3a4914f291.png

setting global preferences does not work/stick.

I have aisle/window in above, but I've been upgraded to a middle seat as well.

I've set it exactly one time and never had a problem.

mine works perfectly. I am set to only upgrade to comfort plus IF its an aisle or window. When there is only a comfort center open, the GA always pages me and confirms i don't want it which i appreciate. The only time i pull myself off the list at the gate is if all that is open in first is row 1. I hate bulkheads(want to stretch a little and have my backpack available under the seat) so if I have a good comfort seat I will tell the agent not to upgrade me to row 1. They usually chuckle and then say " i get it". yes I am weird.

It works.

A status match over to UA would execute this request, perfectly.

Fully agree. Have had and continue to have issues each flight - sometimes all are checked, sometimes some are checked, sometimes no upgrade options are checked nor do my selections and re-selections and re-re-re-selections stay checked. Very frustrating.

You're clearly lucky. Not sure what's going with the app not using my set defaults specifically.

David

my point wasn't that the website is perfect in this regard, it's more that blanket statements in either direction are not really useful.

Fly to or from a Delta hub.

Book a flight that is during a reasonable hour.

This right here. When we run into getting separated in upgrades I always try to move both upgraded seats to be window or aisle under the theory someone will happily trade their middle for either and we have options to get back together. I wish I didn’t have to do that and rely on the kindness of strangers though. We turned off upgrades on the last set of flights and just picked exit row because sitting together is more valuable for my wife (who doesn’t fly well) than getting upgraded.

My user name should be an indication that most of my flights are to or from a DL hub.

One good thing about being DTW based is that the staff at the DTW Sky Club has been wonderful in helping me sort out seating problems. Although the main DTW lounge (near security) desperately needs a refresh + expansion, the staff there is amazing.