Cannot use SWU on international DL flights
Mar 2, 2009, 8:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Phoenix/Columbus
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Gold, US Airways silver
Posts: 1,717
Cannot use SWU on international DL flights
Checked into using my two SWU's for an upgrade on a DL international flight and no go. The NW agent said maybe in the future, but not now.
Mar 3, 2009, 1:10 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: DL 0.22 MM, AA 0.34 MM, PC Plat Amb, Hertz #1 GC 5*
Posts: 7,511
At least for PU503s, the T&Cs specifically state NW/KLM routing only.
Mar 3, 2009, 1:21 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: DL 2MM PM;VSGld;EKGld; HilDia; HrtzPC; AvisPC; PP; AmbPlt; JumeiGld; MeliaPlt; TajPlt; ShangriDia
Posts: 953
Currently DL Plat Medallions cannot use their certificates on NW. I was glad to see NW issuing certificates for Y, B AND M class, as M class is what Platinum Medallions can use with their certificates.
My hope is that this indicates M class will in the future become an upgradeable fare with miles, as DL allows Y/B and M for mileage upgrades on international fares. Since NW moved this season to provide 150% EQM for M class and 150% banked miles bonus for Y/B/M fares (which is what DL has done in the Sky Miles program for years), I suspect the programs are moving into alignment.
When the Worldperks program merges into DL's, I'll be curious to see what happens with the KLM alliance. Will the program remain the same and everyone will be able to use miles to upgrade on KLM flights or will that relationship with KLM end or possibly expand to AF?
My hope is that this indicates M class will in the future become an upgradeable fare with miles, as DL allows Y/B and M for mileage upgrades on international fares. Since NW moved this season to provide 150% EQM for M class and 150% banked miles bonus for Y/B/M fares (which is what DL has done in the Sky Miles program for years), I suspect the programs are moving into alignment.
When the Worldperks program merges into DL's, I'll be curious to see what happens with the KLM alliance. Will the program remain the same and everyone will be able to use miles to upgrade on KLM flights or will that relationship with KLM end or possibly expand to AF?
Apr 2, 2009, 1:27 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,975
Bumping this to see if anyone has been able to (or has tried to) get a DL segment upgraded using the PU503 certs. I have two DL segments in M class on an itinerary booked through nwa.com and on 012 stock. One is ticketed as a NW codeshare.
Apr 2, 2009, 7:42 am
#5
In Memoriam
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 200 NORTH OF MSP
Programs: Soon to be an ex-WP PE
Posts: 966
As I understand it, the reason you can't use the upgrades across Delta and NW is that the NW "coupons" are electronic and the Delta ones are paper. Delta's advanced IT is not able to handle electronic certs. 
Apr 2, 2009, 8:12 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,975
Called this morning and confirmed that the ability to upgrade DL flights with the NW certs is "coming soon". Very frustrating, as the timing of the connection thru ATL made the trip work. I was also disappointed to learn that ATL-NRT is serviced by the 777-200ER, with the old BE seats, but that alone probably wouldn't have been a deal-breaker. Anyway, I just canceled the trip, which was a M fare MR for daughter and I to SIN. ~$4,000 revenue lost.
Apr 2, 2009, 8:41 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: DL (suckered me into) Diamond, ICH Plat RA, SPG Plat
Posts: 162
Called this morning and confirmed that the ability to upgrade DL flights with the NW certs is "coming soon". Very frustrating, as the timing of the connection thru ATL made the trip work. I was also disappointed to learn that ATL-NRT is serviced by the 777-200ER, with the old BE seats, but that alone probably wouldn't have been a deal-breaker. Anyway, I just canceled the trip, which was a M fare MR for daughter and I to SIN. ~$4,000 revenue lost.
Apr 18, 2009, 1:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mid-Atlantic
Programs: AA Plat, UA Silver, DL Silver, Marriott Titanium, etc.
Posts: 4,210
Any more word on exactly when this is going to be solved?
I've got a residual value from a Delta ticket that would pay for an international M fare run for triple miles. If I find an all-northwest metal international flight schedule that I can book on Delta (whatever that means these days) - is it upgradeable right now? Or is the answer it depends? If so, what does it further depend on?
I'd really prefer to do a trip to SCL in late May, but of course that will be, at least in the ATL to SCL segments, native Delta segments, which it seems are not upgradeable with the NW Platinum SWUs for the time being.
I've got a residual value from a Delta ticket that would pay for an international M fare run for triple miles. If I find an all-northwest metal international flight schedule that I can book on Delta (whatever that means these days) - is it upgradeable right now? Or is the answer it depends? If so, what does it further depend on?
I'd really prefer to do a trip to SCL in late May, but of course that will be, at least in the ATL to SCL segments, native Delta segments, which it seems are not upgradeable with the NW Platinum SWUs for the time being.
Apr 19, 2009, 12:11 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Varies :-)
Programs: AS; AA; UA; DL; VS; BA; Nat'l Emer. Exec.; AGR
Posts: 2,250
I've got a residual value from a Delta ticket that would pay for an international M fare run for triple miles. If I find an all-northwest metal international flight schedule that I can book on Delta (whatever that means these days) - is it upgradeable right now? Or is the answer it depends? If so, what does it further depend on?
Apr 20, 2009, 2:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
According to the DL website, this month (April) under "Learn more":
WorldPerks Platinum Elites and SkyMiles Platinum Medallions’ ability to redeem systemwide upgrade certificates on both Delta and Northwest operated flights.
WorldPerks Platinum Elites and SkyMiles Platinum Medallions’ ability to redeem systemwide upgrade certificates on both Delta and Northwest operated flights.
May 18, 2009, 11:53 am
#11
Formerly known as fsa_ea
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS/1MM,AS 75k,NK GLD,AA 2MM,DL 2MM,LH FT,AY PLT,IC RA,FMT LT PLT,HYT GLB,HLT DIA,MRT GLD,HRTZ PC
Posts: 2,229
Is this going to be possible?
Here's my situation:
I've been PM on DL for about 4 years. I am also Platinum on NW via a status match to AA late last year (thanks lucky9876coins!). I received 6 NW platinum systemwide upgrades that I would like to use to upgrade DL domestic K-class tickets. I have no interest in crediting flights to NW.
Will I supposedly be able to do the following soon (or maybe even as of a few days ago)?:
Book a K-class DL numbered & operated domestic ticket on DL.com using my DL PM #.
Call (who DL or NW??) to upgrade using a NW Platinum Systemwide upgrade.
Credit the flights to my DL account number, basically never using my NW account number except for the Sytemwide upgrade?
I've been PM on DL for about 4 years. I am also Platinum on NW via a status match to AA late last year (thanks lucky9876coins!). I received 6 NW platinum systemwide upgrades that I would like to use to upgrade DL domestic K-class tickets. I have no interest in crediting flights to NW.
Will I supposedly be able to do the following soon (or maybe even as of a few days ago)?:
Book a K-class DL numbered & operated domestic ticket on DL.com using my DL PM #.
Call (who DL or NW??) to upgrade using a NW Platinum Systemwide upgrade.
Credit the flights to my DL account number, basically never using my NW account number except for the Sytemwide upgrade?
Last edited by The Mileage Millionaire; May 18, 2009 at 1:06 pm