Complimentary Intl. Upgrades on NW/DL - experiences
Sep 20, 2009, 10:54 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Delta DM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 98
Complimentary Intl. Upgrades on NW/DL - experiences
I am NW Platinum, and regularly TPAC on NW/DL from the West Coast. So far this year I have received 2 complimentary Y-J upgrades on TPAC flights. In one case, I had a B fare, in the other I had a K fare. This is nice because I did not have to use my PMUs to upgade. Both times I was upgraded at the gate just before boarding.
Any more such experiences?
Any more such experiences?
Sep 20, 2009, 10:57 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.4MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold,
Posts: 5,218
Sep 20, 2009, 11:15 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
I am NW Platinum, and regularly TPAC on NW/DL from the West Coast. So far this year I have received 2 complimentary Y-J upgrades on TPAC flights. In one case, I had a B fare, in the other I had a K fare. This is nice because I did not have to use my PMUs to upgade. Both times I was upgraded at the gate just before boarding.
Any more such experiences?
Any more such experiences?
Sadly, it was discontinued because DL IT couldn't handle it.
PS: Welcome to FlyerTalk
Last edited by TheMadBrewer; Sep 20, 2009 at 11:15 am Reason: Welcome
Sep 20, 2009, 11:55 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: DL - Plat, Marriott - Plat, Hilton - Diamond, SPG- Plat, National- ES
Posts: 1,857
Got one once.
I was flying DL from CDG to ATL. Got on the plane and "Mr Jerk" was in my exit row seat.
"Mr Jerk" then proceeded to "show out" for the FA by SCREAMING about how many miles he flew on Delta, his "elite" level, how much money he spent with Delta etc. I moved into the Galley area to get away from "Mr Jerk" FA comes back, hands me a new boarding pass an I am in business. If HALF of what "Mr Jerk" said was true he "outranked" me for the OpUp.
(Coach was oversold)
I was flying DL from CDG to ATL. Got on the plane and "Mr Jerk" was in my exit row seat.
"Mr Jerk" then proceeded to "show out" for the FA by SCREAMING about how many miles he flew on Delta, his "elite" level, how much money he spent with Delta etc. I moved into the Galley area to get away from "Mr Jerk" FA comes back, hands me a new boarding pass an I am in business. If HALF of what "Mr Jerk" said was true he "outranked" me for the OpUp.
(Coach was oversold)
Sep 20, 2009, 12:02 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL DM, 2MM
Posts: 732
I am NW Platinum, and regularly TPAC on NW/DL from the West Coast. So far this year I have received 2 complimentary Y-J upgrades on TPAC flights. In one case, I had a B fare, in the other I had a K fare. This is nice because I did not have to use my PMUs to upgade. Both times I was upgraded at the gate just before boarding.
Any more such experiences?
Any more such experiences?
Sep 20, 2009, 12:59 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2003
Location: ATL/MOO (Many Others Often)
Programs: DL GM (2MM), Lifetime Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,456
3 of my last 4 trans Atlantic flights (all since April) have provided me a complimentary upgrade actually. One was SVO to ATL, one ATL to SVO, and one FRA to ATL. It is totally, for me anyway, based on the back being oversold. Once I got a sympathy upgrade due to my Mom being injured and they upped her to Biz Elite out of FRA and thought I needed to be beside her. It worked out well for both of us.
So, yes, it does happen and you can help yourself by flying on Mondays out of ATL to European destinations. At least that has been my experience with ATL flights to FRA and SVO. As always, YMMV...
So, yes, it does happen and you can help yourself by flying on Mondays out of ATL to European destinations. At least that has been my experience with ATL flights to FRA and SVO. As always, YMMV...
Sep 20, 2009, 2:14 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
Keep in mind that op-ups are std protocol for airlines that oversell coach. The phantom-upgrades were a once in a lifetime deal.
I've never had either.
I've never had either.
Sep 21, 2009, 5:52 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Maaleh Adumim
Programs: Delta Diamond,Holiday Inn Dia Ambassador ,AA Gold
Posts: 240
I have been upgrade because coach has been oversold 5 times this year.No complaints...That is why I would never take the PMU award and take the miles or gifting status.
Sep 21, 2009, 5:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 41
I was a gold elite (NW) on AMS to PDX last month and my gf and I were op-up b/c coach was full. She is not an elite member. It was nice surprise.
Sep 21, 2009, 5:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - PM (Sky Priority);HH - Gold; Marriott - Silver; National - Executive; DL Reserve AMEX
Posts: 5,232
Don't get me wrong, I definitely see LOTS of issues with Delta IT, but in this case, it has nothing to do with DL.
My wife and I (both Silvers) got Op-Up'd from JFK-CDG about 4-5 years ago. That was a pleasant surprise. Coach was oversold and they upgraded the medallions to make room.
My wife and I (both Silvers) got Op-Up'd from JFK-CDG about 4-5 years ago. That was a pleasant surprise. Coach was oversold and they upgraded the medallions to make room.
Sep 21, 2009, 9:34 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,383
I've Probably Done 30 TATL Segments on LUT tickets
over the past 10 years; I've gotten an op-up exactly 3 times.
The first time was LGW-BOS in December, 2001 (which DL discontinued in 2002); the flight was sold out in Y; I was a GM at the time. I got to LGW relatively late, only about an hour before scheduled departure. I was shocked when I got a seat in the "aft" business cabin (in those days, DL's 767s had two business cabins, the second one extending back to where the mid-cabin lavs are located); needless to say, I had a great flight home.
The next time was January 1, 2009. I was PM at the time. I had a Q fare DCA-JFK-LHR on the morning TATL flight; I misconnected because the equipment for the DCA-JFK leg had to be ferried in from IAD due to a windstorm the day before which caused major cancellations in the northeast; when I went up to the T2 CRC/BE lounge, the wonderful concierge rebooked me in full J class for the evening departure. I spent the 12 hour layover betting on horses at Aqueduct and feasting on an outstanding buffet in the Equestris clubhouse restaurant, and then drinking beer in the CRC near Gate 6 watching the end of the Rose Bowl.
On that same trip, January 6, 2009, I had a T fare LHR-ATL-DCA. Because of weather, a number of flights from Europe to the USA between January 2 and January 5 had been canceled, and my flight was oversold. When I got to T4 at LHR, the lady in the DL uniform operated a kiosk for me, and out popped a J boarding pass (although the T fare class still showed on the pass). Could have knocked me over with a feather. Had another great DL flying experience.
In February, I did a sports trip/mileage run IAD-ATL-LGW and return. The flights were not sold out in either cabin, and normal service returned, meaning no upgrade (although I had very good flights in both directions).
The first time was LGW-BOS in December, 2001 (which DL discontinued in 2002); the flight was sold out in Y; I was a GM at the time. I got to LGW relatively late, only about an hour before scheduled departure. I was shocked when I got a seat in the "aft" business cabin (in those days, DL's 767s had two business cabins, the second one extending back to where the mid-cabin lavs are located); needless to say, I had a great flight home.
The next time was January 1, 2009. I was PM at the time. I had a Q fare DCA-JFK-LHR on the morning TATL flight; I misconnected because the equipment for the DCA-JFK leg had to be ferried in from IAD due to a windstorm the day before which caused major cancellations in the northeast; when I went up to the T2 CRC/BE lounge, the wonderful concierge rebooked me in full J class for the evening departure. I spent the 12 hour layover betting on horses at Aqueduct and feasting on an outstanding buffet in the Equestris clubhouse restaurant, and then drinking beer in the CRC near Gate 6 watching the end of the Rose Bowl.
On that same trip, January 6, 2009, I had a T fare LHR-ATL-DCA. Because of weather, a number of flights from Europe to the USA between January 2 and January 5 had been canceled, and my flight was oversold. When I got to T4 at LHR, the lady in the DL uniform operated a kiosk for me, and out popped a J boarding pass (although the T fare class still showed on the pass). Could have knocked me over with a feather. Had another great DL flying experience.
In February, I did a sports trip/mileage run IAD-ATL-LGW and return. The flights were not sold out in either cabin, and normal service returned, meaning no upgrade (although I had very good flights in both directions).