Using Delta Global Upgrade (GUC) with KLM Consolidated
Oct 10, 2025 | 1:54 pm
#991
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 17,156
Well whatever is coming, sounds like the agents jumped the gun and/or are misinformed. And also there is no PE for intra-EU flights so that is a direct upgrade from econ to Euro-Biz as long as Z is available.
Oct 10, 2025 | 2:35 pm
#992
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: South Bay LA
Programs: DL FO, AA PP
Posts: 1,249
agree it would be weird if they implemented it, especially when it comes to A330 routes because with the current system there is no way to upgrade PE-J so wonder if they would truly take away Y-J even though there is no PE on those planes
Oct 11, 2025 | 3:24 pm
#993
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 4,049
https://www.reddit.com/r/delta/comme...nger_possible/
It sounds like it's jumped the gun and they reverted whatever this was. But it's definitely coming.
It sounds like it's jumped the gun and they reverted whatever this was. But it's definitely coming.
Oct 12, 2025 | 4:19 pm
#994
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX|AKL|AMS|GVA|AGP|CPT - or somewhere in between
Programs: DL DM; 2MM
Posts: 2,461
I had all my Globals in place, but unfortunately had to cancel an itin. Booked a new flight with Z availability according to EF.
Just talked to 2 agents plus a supervisor and was told only a GUC upgrade available into next class on a B787-10 i.e. LAX-AMS.
I was told that the rules recently had changed for Globals , however they could not specify the date of the change.
In any case, I will keep trying to use my last one and find a cabin with only the old layout.
Please all, keep posting your success stories before this ends !
Just talked to 2 agents plus a supervisor and was told only a GUC upgrade available into next class on a B787-10 i.e. LAX-AMS.
I was told that the rules recently had changed for Globals , however they could not specify the date of the change.
In any case, I will keep trying to use my last one and find a cabin with only the old layout.
Please all, keep posting your success stories before this ends !
Last edited by Travelomania; Oct 12, 2025 at 4:27 pm
Oct 12, 2025 | 4:32 pm
#995
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 792
I had all my Globals in place, but unfortunately had to cancel an itin. Booked a new flight with Z availability according to EF.
Just talked to 2 agents plus a supervisor and was told only a GUC upgrade available into next class on a B787-10 i.e. LAX-AMS.
I was told that the rules recently had changed for Globals , however they could not specify the date of the change.
In any case, I will keep trying to use my last one and find a cabin with only the old layout.
Please all, keep posting your success stories before this ends !
Just talked to 2 agents plus a supervisor and was told only a GUC upgrade available into next class on a B787-10 i.e. LAX-AMS.
I was told that the rules recently had changed for Globals , however they could not specify the date of the change.
In any case, I will keep trying to use my last one and find a cabin with only the old layout.
Please all, keep posting your success stories before this ends !
Oct 12, 2025 | 5:39 pm
#996
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: AA Plat Skymiles DM MM, a+ rewards lifetime elite, AS, Marriott plat, PC plat, HH gold
Posts: 1,302
it isn't a new policy. GUC clears into next class available and if not available, waitlists. KL historically used 777 and 787 in and out of the US and for a period were flying birds without PS, or were not yet selling/marketing the PS cabin as the premium economy. Now, I understand all of their aircraft are converted and they're selling 3 cabins. If you buy main cabin you may clear to Premium, and waitlist to their J. If you buy premium if available you can clear to J via Z class. It was a remaining sweet spot to use GUCs but now the rules are the same for them and AF and DL. Question is if you want to spend Premium fare to confirm or just chance it. DL and their partners have successfully figured out how to lace the loyalty carrot with more required spending to fully realize the full benefit!
any change from this matrix is a change in policy I have used for years. It was the last remaining sweet spot of going from a light fare to J without PAG.
waitlist has never been an option on KLM
Oct 12, 2025 | 6:27 pm
#997
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX|AKL|AMS|GVA|AGP|CPT - or somewhere in between
Programs: DL DM; 2MM
Posts: 2,461
And again another long hold for a supervisor and was told that the new rule went into effect on October 9th at 12pm, but acknowledgement that the terms on DL's website had not changed (yet).
I was also told that KL would deny the upgrade if they (DL) would try and process the upgrade from the listed fare classes into Z class.
Only upgrade into PC.
I was also told that KL would deny the upgrade if they (DL) would try and process the upgrade from the listed fare classes into Z class.
Only upgrade into PC.
Oct 12, 2025 | 8:11 pm
#998
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: South Bay LA
Programs: DL FO, AA PP
Posts: 1,249
it isn't a new policy. GUC clears into next class available and if not available, waitlists. KL historically used 777 and 787 in and out of the US and for a period were flying birds without PS, or were not yet selling/marketing the PS cabin as the premium economy. Now, I understand all of their aircraft are converted and they're selling 3 cabins. If you buy main cabin you may clear to Premium, and waitlist to their J. If you buy premium if available you can clear to J via Z class. It was a remaining sweet spot to use GUCs but now the rules are the same for them and AF and DL. Question is if you want to spend Premium fare to confirm or just chance it. DL and their partners have successfully figured out how to lace the loyalty carrot with more required spending to fully realize the full benefit!
Oct 13, 2025 | 4:38 am
#999
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 17,156
Well this is a big dumpster fire unless/until they update the T&Cs to show what fare classes are required etc... otherwise there is no info and you are relying on agents having incorrect or hearsay info.
Oct 15, 2025 | 8:54 am
#1001
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Land of Sky Blue Waters
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 15
Worked through 6 different agents last evening/this morning, the last two of which confirmed the one-class upgrade policy now in effect for GUCs..
the last update to our rules matrix on this was 10/13/25 at 9:13 EST
Im all ears on any advice/workarounds at this point, but Im getting the feeling this is a done dealits frustrating to me that T&Cs still reflect the old policy, but I guess thats where the terms are subject to change factor enters into the equation.
Oct 16, 2025 | 4:20 am
#1002
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 17,156
Send in a complaint to DL with your itinerary/flight info and regarding the change to the policy... and highlighting that the published T&Cs for GUCs still reflect the prior policy that you could upgrade from econ fares to Z.
Oct 17, 2025 | 12:24 am
#1003
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA PE, HH Gold
Posts: 1,104
That triggers my next question: CAN agents now upgrade PE tickets to C on KLM operated flights? As other pointed out already under the old rules PE fares were not upgradable per T&C`s
Oct 17, 2025 | 10:13 am
#1004
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,401
Update: Third time was the charm. Agent got it all processed and pushed through no problem.
What does disappoint me with Delta is the quality of the phone agents. On Delta, I am Diamond, and the agents, while all absolutely pleasant as can be, can be shockingly unknowledgeable. On AA, the quality of agents I get as a mere Platinum are leagues better than the DL Diamond agents.
Anyway, not complaining as my two $1100 one way LAX-AMS-JNB upgrades to KL business is an absolutely crushing value!
What does disappoint me with Delta is the quality of the phone agents. On Delta, I am Diamond, and the agents, while all absolutely pleasant as can be, can be shockingly unknowledgeable. On AA, the quality of agents I get as a mere Platinum are leagues better than the DL Diamond agents.
Anyway, not complaining as my two $1100 one way LAX-AMS-JNB upgrades to KL business is an absolutely crushing value!
Oct 17, 2025 | 6:43 pm
#1005
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA Gold/1MM, AS Titanium, BA Silver, TK Elite
Posts: 1,511
Just adding to the list - booked a KLM ticket with Z class available.
called 3 times - each time they said that new terms this month state that only 1 class upgrade is available on KLM as of this month.
Since when can they change terms and conditions in the middle of the year with no notice on their website? I know we are a small fraction of GUC usage but this was where the value was in GUC and now its gone.
called 3 times - each time they said that new terms this month state that only 1 class upgrade is available on KLM as of this month.
Since when can they change terms and conditions in the middle of the year with no notice on their website? I know we are a small fraction of GUC usage but this was where the value was in GUC and now its gone.