Upgrade Methodology
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ATL
Programs: Diamond Medallion
Posts: 14
Upgrade Methodology
So my business partner and I are both PMs and bought T class tix to EWR from ATL at the same time. I am #1 on the upgrade list and he is #2. However, year to date, he has 60,000 MQM, I only have 50,000 MQM. His trailing 12-month MQM is higher than mine. He is also sitting on more skymiles in his account than I (if this is a factor). Why the heck am I ahead of him on the waitlist? I'm not complaining...just trying to learn the system. Thanks.
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 62
As per Delta's explanation of this in the complimentary upgrade section of the website. " if medallion level and fair class are the same then time of ticketing is the tie breaker".
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ATL
Programs: Diamond Medallion
Posts: 14
Thanks for pointing that out.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,572
That's a common misconception. Accrued YTD mileage and how many miles you're "sitting" on play no part in the upgrade game. Only fare class, your status, and ToT.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: RDU
Programs: AA GM, DL DM, DSC
Posts: 1,540
This is why I always book my trip, then tell my coworker what flights I chose. He is also PM but I ticket ahead so I am higher on the list. Sneaky but it works
#6
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,289
I hope you at least try to make it up to him by bringing him a cocktail or bag of chips to his seat in cattle class. Hehe.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
Interesting that the OP should have thought that current mileage accumulation was not unlikely to be a factor in the upgrade process on DL.
For years, "how much has he flown with us lately" was a determinant used by America West when upgrades were being allocated. Prior to the merger with US, I had never heard of that type of method being used by any airline.
However, in my last days as a US CP, it was mentioned on FT that the HP guys were absolutely committed to putting that into the US procedures. I do not know if that actually did happen, but I might guess that the OP may originally be from out west somewhere and at one time possibly was a steady customer of HP before the takeover of US.
For years, "how much has he flown with us lately" was a determinant used by America West when upgrades were being allocated. Prior to the merger with US, I had never heard of that type of method being used by any airline.
However, in my last days as a US CP, it was mentioned on FT that the HP guys were absolutely committed to putting that into the US procedures. I do not know if that actually did happen, but I might guess that the OP may originally be from out west somewhere and at one time possibly was a steady customer of HP before the takeover of US.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
#9
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
Interesting that the OP should have thought that current mileage accumulation was not unlikely to be a factor in the upgrade process on DL.
For years, "how much has he flown with us lately" was a determinant used by America West when upgrades were being allocated. Prior to the merger with US, I had never heard of that type of method being used by any airline.
However, in my last days as a US CP, it was mentioned on FT that the HP guys were absolutely committed to putting that into the US procedures. I do not know if that actually did happen, but I might guess that the OP may originally be from out west somewhere and at one time possibly was a steady customer of HP before the takeover of US.
For years, "how much has he flown with us lately" was a determinant used by America West when upgrades were being allocated. Prior to the merger with US, I had never heard of that type of method being used by any airline.
However, in my last days as a US CP, it was mentioned on FT that the HP guys were absolutely committed to putting that into the US procedures. I do not know if that actually did happen, but I might guess that the OP may originally be from out west somewhere and at one time possibly was a steady customer of HP before the takeover of US.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
#13
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: BOS/MHT (Lakes Region)
Programs: DL PM(sigh)/2.3MM & a bunch of other programs...
Posts: 692
In the past, I've lost out on upgrades by reason of YTD MQM. Maybe that changed recently, but I thought it was a criterion in the not-too-distant past.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
Not for complimentary domestic upgrades. I think it can come into account for op-ups and the such. As long as we've been maintaining a list here MQMs has never been a factor.
Also MM is no factor either.
Also MM is no factor either.
#15
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SLC
Programs: DL DM MM, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, National Exec Elite, Hertz 5*
Posts: 155