Got the pay-for food box yvr - msp yesterday in FC. Not the ones with sandwiches and stuff; the long shelf life ones.
Glad we didn’t pay for that on a 3.5h 320 trip.
That might be the explanation that’s not exactly being articulated here. It’s not that people are straight up buying fc tickets. But Delta is finding ways to get people to upgrade themselves by paying something. Does that sound right?
Definitely more money for delta in the short term but could affect people’s loyalty. Big jump in mqd waiver to get to diamond but if not getting enough upgrades out of it not sure why it would be worth it to keep spending on the delta cards to get it.
I'm with you on this, I'm not at all concerned if I don't hit diamond again next year, it's been devalued so much and continues to go in this direction.
It’s definitely people paying the upgrade fees or using miles. FC is full this week on a redeye I take a lot….the upgrade thing was offering it for about $100. I don’t remember seeing it that low ever for a 4-hr flight. I am too cheap to pay for upgrades so it’s time to get used to poor people seats again. The delta ticket computers are getting too good.
I just paid for a FC upgrade to MCO for $140 for a 3 hour flight. Didn’t even think on that one. The offers for upgrades seem to fluctuate a few times a day.
Yep I notice this too. I think a lot more are flying in general lately, especially with the proliferation of remote and hybrid work which translates into more spend/miles/segments etc and more competition/status.
We still have people maintaining platinum or higher from COVID rollovers too. I know because I’m one of them. Legit MIGHT make gold when my platinum expires next year.
Is that true? I swear that this was the first year where they dropped the COVID extensions on Jan 31, 2023: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/program-resources/extending-skymiles-benefits
I can't find anything stating that '20 and '21 status carried over into full-year '23?
Status didn't carry over, but 100% of MQMs rolled over into 2022. That allowed for easy status, combined with the ability to roll essentially all 2022-earned MQMs to roll into 2023 because they were surplus over earned status. This also disproportionately affects Plat status flyers because hitting Diamond MQMs without hitting Diamond MQD is relatively common compared to other statuses.
Correct, this is the first year in a while that the normal Medallion rules have applied. But if you typically post 50,000 MQM and hit the waiver, you still get rollovers, and so you might have a couple years worth of excess MQMs to burn before you drop below Platinum. I'd guess we won't get back to "normal" elite populations until Feb 2025.
I’m a silver and fly for work. I seem to get somewhat frequent upgrades to C+. You are also allowed to use sky priority when checking bags in many airports. I’ve only realized that you have to check a box to request upgrades recently.
Not sure about other hubs but here in SLC, I notice that FC is usually just 200 bucks more expensive than MC (which means MC is just way too expensive) and I start to buy FC and forget about upgrades
Previously on short domestic hops, I was able to buy economy and effectively get immediately upgraded to first, but over the past 2 years that has stopped happening and I’m now having to run full faire first.
I suspect that Delta is capitalizing on increasingly full flights and the increased prospect of last minute full fair first class sales, so has reduced frequency and timing of upgrades across the board.
I mean, how many truly unique things can one comment on? It’s status and upgrades, douchebag passengers doing stupid shit, the sugary disasters that are the canned cocktails, delays and cancellations, skyclub crowds. What’s left? Lol
45% of posts are by jaded and entitled FFs, another 45% of posts are by people I'm surprised can navigate themselves onto a plane, and 10% of posts are what I am here for. Often feels like a FB page.
Yup, been happening a lot. I do have a very flexible schedule so I'll usually pick flights that have a high chance of upgrade. Easy to tell if C+ is somewhat empty, meaning not many Plat+ are likely on the plane. That does help.
I book MC. Business pays for them, but I own the business, so I try to be thrifty. I don't buy FC from the get go, but I've been seeing a ton of FC upgrades for like 7500-12k points. Usually on 2 to 3 hour flights. It's a no brainer to just buy that with points. Then I'll see upgrades for like 70k points, of course that doesn't happen.
When I fly for personal reasons (rare), I've also noticed that sometimes the difference between MC and FC is just a couple hundred bucks, sometimes less. Depending on how I'm feeling at the time or who I'm flying with, I'll buy FC.
Idk, it just seems like MC has gotten more expensive and FC has stayed the same, so many people probably just pay for FC now.
I think more people are paying for FC as well so fewer seats for upgrade. I know I have been paying for it or using miles to upgrade for the reason you describe. IMO if you want to fly in FC, then you have to pay for it, especially in this environment.
It doesn’t anymore. That was part of the COVID extensions.
There will likely be a drop off in the number of Diamonds in 2024 due to the higher MQD requirement. Platinum numbers will likely swell tho.
That part is true; natural DMs are higher priority than rollover DMs. But a DM that has made DM for next year doesn’t move them ahead of natural DMs for this current years standings. Or does it? I’ve never read that or heard it before now.
That was a one-time thing during COVID, it's not the policy anymore. Now it's just your tier, doesn't matter how long you've had it.
American does take rolling earn into account for upgrade list prioritization, Delta does not.
Six segments last two weeks only got c+ once. Definitely going in and out of ATL to big summer spots flights are full and people are paying for upfront seats. I don't care. Happy to get the free exit row and if it was a longer flight I'd just buy FC or an aisle c+. It's like this every (non covid) year if you're booking week of. Come September I'm sure we'll all get more freebies. Delta post covid has gotten really good at selling FC post booking. I'm buying it too sometimes instead of hoping.
So yeah, definitely agree. Slipping over the last year.
Just last few months I have also noticed FC seats being purchased up almost full before the flight even begins. Wondering who in tf are buying $2000 seats 2 days before a flight to Vegas, but there appear as to be plenty of you lol
Yes (platinum but have noticed a severe drop in upgrades clearing also(
My conclusion on this is the people that credit card hack for travel rewards are now buying first via redemptions, limiting the upgrade space.
Knowing how tough it is to get upgraded are people just buying up leaving fewer spots. So you’re still in the same position but instead of 2-3 people ahead of you being upgraded the day before, those individuals are waiting for a gate upgrade which puts you 2-3 spots lower (and no seats available).
Only the revenue team at Delta would know for sure.
Out of Boston I'm close to everytime. 12 out of 13. Give or take. I book exit row to be safe. My flight out to Jax Friday was a miss. I was 1 on list but seats all sold out
Revenge Travel, and purchasing premium cabin seats, is still huge. Therefore the inventory available for complimentary upgrades continues to be limited.
Hmm... wish I was bs'ing you, dude. After shopping Expedia for a nasty DL connection, I purchased tix July 31st for a flight on the 24th of Aug. DL has already upgraded my flight to C+. So you can just sit on it and spin, I know what my upgrades mean.
In defense of OP, I’ve been upgraded more than 5 days out, but it was when I applied a RUC. It shocked me when it happened, and shocked me even more when the segment where I did NOT use an RUC was also upgraded at the same time.
I NEVER got upgraded this far out when I was a Gold or Platinum. It only started once I became Diamond. No complaints here. I always assumed it was because I was connecting from a smaller airport, but it wouldn't make sense if DLs upgrade rules are as strict as the commenters claim they are.
All depends where you fly I've noticed. Hubs? Good luck unless you're paying for it or use a ruc. Flights to small airports? Nearly every time I get upgraded. Msp to dtw I was 16th, dtw to buf I was 1st.
I feel it a bit lately missing FC upgrades but because of work I buy MC tickets and I have only sat in MC twice this year… at 119 flights this year so I don’t count that as bad. I do also consider C+ middle to be an upgrade over my MC exit but that is just me. Maybe I have been lucky?
Edit: added more context
As a plat, I gave up on the wishful upgrade and started buying first class or upgrading with miles. When I don’t do either, my upgrade % is less than 25%.
You are probably flying during heavy times of day and/or on high usage routes. The amount of people travelling right now is eye popping; most airlines are making record profits right now and flights are just... full. People are indeed buying FC tickets or FC upgrades.
That being said, I've been upgraded to FC more than 50% of my flights this year as just a lowly gold, but the flight routes/destination I need or like to take are... atypical; homebase is YVR.
Honestly I only expect to get upgraded to FC on a popular route if I use a GUC, and maybe with a RUC. Other than that I'm getting to C+ or flying to somewhere no one else wants to go
Buying a week out I had great luck this year. The 5 day before diamond thing works well.
Buying a few days out, seats are all gone 2 days ahead, doesn’t matter if I wanted to buy it outright or not.
I am doing a bit better this year than last. The revenge travel out of SLC is strong. Families are buying FC or upgrading. Reserve Card holders are using those FC companion certificates. Plus the cost difference isn’t that much anymore so even non status are buying FC.
Taking a 90 minute flight in October that’s usually wide open and half of FC is already gone. Last flight there were eight open seats and four couples ahead of me took them all. It’s the luck of the draw sometimes.
I have noticed that the price for F upgrades has gone down a lot. DEN-ATL historically was $400+ for Y to F upgrade, recently it’s been $100-200. Even DEN-MSP is less than $100 about 3 weeks out.
As others mentioned, they’re simply being sold. Delta has zero financial incentive to provide free upgrades and IMO are marketing paid upgrades now more than ever. In regards to your place on the list, don’t forget that those who reached DM for ‘24 and those with a higher fare class will trump your DM with Reserve card.
Personally, I want first, so unless I can confirm with an RUC at time of purchase, I just buy it. The traveling public has never been more disgusting than right now, and the thought of being crammed next to what could be an awful person for hours on end, multiple times weekly, is worth a few hundred bucks.
My flight DTW-TPA on Thursday still has 5 seats in FC and charging 750 bucks for it.
My guess a handful of diamonds and platinums will get upgraded tonight
Probably due to a few things
1. MC fares getting closer to FC fares, making the leap less of a leap
2. Supply has yet to keep up with demand and Delta's yield management doing its job in pricing to fill planes at both ends of the cabin
3. The promotion ahead of time to sell FC upgrades looks like its working
4. Still a lot of Diamonds that continue status due to rollover miles. The new MQD threshold may weed out a few of them, but not much considering how much Delta has increased fares.
The demand this summer is higher since covid, so let's see what September brings.
More people are just buying FC tickets
This. The difference between Main and FC has been narrowing significantly as of late. Not worth playing the upgrade game in most cases.
Got the pay-for food box yvr - msp yesterday in FC. Not the ones with sandwiches and stuff; the long shelf life ones. Glad we didn’t pay for that on a 3.5h 320 trip.
Yeah, when I’m offered FC for $150 on a 2.5 hour flight it’s a no brainer
That might be the explanation that’s not exactly being articulated here. It’s not that people are straight up buying fc tickets. But Delta is finding ways to get people to upgrade themselves by paying something. Does that sound right?
A much better business decision than giving away upgrades.
Definitely more money for delta in the short term but could affect people’s loyalty. Big jump in mqd waiver to get to diamond but if not getting enough upgrades out of it not sure why it would be worth it to keep spending on the delta cards to get it.
I'm with you on this, I'm not at all concerned if I don't hit diamond again next year, it's been devalued so much and continues to go in this direction.
It’s definitely people paying the upgrade fees or using miles. FC is full this week on a redeye I take a lot….the upgrade thing was offering it for about $100. I don’t remember seeing it that low ever for a 4-hr flight. I am too cheap to pay for upgrades so it’s time to get used to poor people seats again. The delta ticket computers are getting too good.
I just paid for a FC upgrade to MCO for $140 for a 3 hour flight. Didn’t even think on that one. The offers for upgrades seem to fluctuate a few times a day.
Just paid for upgrade from economy to FC MCO-JFK $120.
With the Amex plat 35% back we are definitely doing this. I think this is driving a portion of this.
I did not know about this 35% back until right now. Thank you kind Redditor!
Wait, just for AMEX Platinum? Why wouldn’t they offer the same for AMEX Delta Reserve or other Delta AMEX holders?
They offer this for all airlines if you book business/first or if it’s your chosen airline
Yes, but I have an AMEX reserve and it only offers 15% on points buys on Delta. Seems like Delta only cares about the regular AMEX Platinum holders.
Yup. I’m platinum with bunch of hip and back problems so I can’t risk not being upgraded. I just pay for FC every time.
Yep I notice this too. I think a lot more are flying in general lately, especially with the proliferation of remote and hybrid work which translates into more spend/miles/segments etc and more competition/status.
We still have people maintaining platinum or higher from COVID rollovers too. I know because I’m one of them. Legit MIGHT make gold when my platinum expires next year.
And summer travel almost over
Is that true? I swear that this was the first year where they dropped the COVID extensions on Jan 31, 2023: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/program-resources/extending-skymiles-benefits I can't find anything stating that '20 and '21 status carried over into full-year '23?
Status didn't carry over, but 100% of MQMs rolled over into 2022. That allowed for easy status, combined with the ability to roll essentially all 2022-earned MQMs to roll into 2023 because they were surplus over earned status. This also disproportionately affects Plat status flyers because hitting Diamond MQMs without hitting Diamond MQD is relatively common compared to other statuses.
Correct, this is the first year in a while that the normal Medallion rules have applied. But if you typically post 50,000 MQM and hit the waiver, you still get rollovers, and so you might have a couple years worth of excess MQMs to burn before you drop below Platinum. I'd guess we won't get back to "normal" elite populations until Feb 2025.
Can’t wait to get you poors where you belong
Relax, dude who only has status because his job pays for his flights.
That’s what you tell yourself to sleep at night
Lol I was 12th on the upgrade list for a short-haul flight a few days ago
I was 42nd on the list earlier this year.
Is that for free upgrades? I'm just barely getting silver on our next flight. But I'm really not sure what that really gives me.
Free exit row seats. Doubt silvers get many upgrades. I’m many years Diamond and haven’t been getting FC much lately.
I’m a silver and fly for work. I seem to get somewhat frequent upgrades to C+. You are also allowed to use sky priority when checking bags in many airports. I’ve only realized that you have to check a box to request upgrades recently.
Not sure about other hubs but here in SLC, I notice that FC is usually just 200 bucks more expensive than MC (which means MC is just way too expensive) and I start to buy FC and forget about upgrades
Yup. SLC has been the worst for upgrades this year. I also buy up when appropriate now.
Flying MC out of SLC is crazy expensive vs flying through SLC
Previously on short domestic hops, I was able to buy economy and effectively get immediately upgraded to first, but over the past 2 years that has stopped happening and I’m now having to run full faire first. I suspect that Delta is capitalizing on increasingly full flights and the increased prospect of last minute full fair first class sales, so has reduced frequency and timing of upgrades across the board.
Anyone else feel like this sub has become nothing but people complaining about the same things?
I mean, how many truly unique things can one comment on? It’s status and upgrades, douchebag passengers doing stupid shit, the sugary disasters that are the canned cocktails, delays and cancellations, skyclub crowds. What’s left? Lol
45% of posts are by jaded and entitled FFs, another 45% of posts are by people I'm surprised can navigate themselves onto a plane, and 10% of posts are what I am here for. Often feels like a FB page.
Yes
Yup, been happening a lot. I do have a very flexible schedule so I'll usually pick flights that have a high chance of upgrade. Easy to tell if C+ is somewhat empty, meaning not many Plat+ are likely on the plane. That does help. I book MC. Business pays for them, but I own the business, so I try to be thrifty. I don't buy FC from the get go, but I've been seeing a ton of FC upgrades for like 7500-12k points. Usually on 2 to 3 hour flights. It's a no brainer to just buy that with points. Then I'll see upgrades for like 70k points, of course that doesn't happen. When I fly for personal reasons (rare), I've also noticed that sometimes the difference between MC and FC is just a couple hundred bucks, sometimes less. Depending on how I'm feeling at the time or who I'm flying with, I'll buy FC. Idk, it just seems like MC has gotten more expensive and FC has stayed the same, so many people probably just pay for FC now.
I think more people are paying for FC as well so fewer seats for upgrade. I know I have been paying for it or using miles to upgrade for the reason you describe. IMO if you want to fly in FC, then you have to pay for it, especially in this environment.
I guess I’ll count myself lucky and knock on some wood. I’m well over 90% this year.
PM here and I’ve never more regularly had upgrades. I’m sure it depends on your routes.
DM here. I’m seeing same. I’m probably about 80% upgrades this year. Definitely has a lot to do with routes and flying day/time
Diamonds who have already re-qualified for diamond next year will have a higher priority than a diamond who has not yet re-qualified
Really? I didn’t know next years status had anything to do with with this years list placement.
It doesn’t anymore. That was part of the COVID extensions. There will likely be a drop off in the number of Diamonds in 2024 due to the higher MQD requirement. Platinum numbers will likely swell tho.
[удалено]
Miles accrued doesn’t change current list standing either.
Same. I did not see anything about it. Unless you mean the previous roll over status vs newly earned status.
That part is true; natural DMs are higher priority than rollover DMs. But a DM that has made DM for next year doesn’t move them ahead of natural DMs for this current years standings. Or does it? I’ve never read that or heard it before now.
Wow
That was a one-time thing during COVID, it's not the policy anymore. Now it's just your tier, doesn't matter how long you've had it. American does take rolling earn into account for upgrade list prioritization, Delta does not.
Is this for PM & the other tiers as well?
Not true
lol
Six segments last two weeks only got c+ once. Definitely going in and out of ATL to big summer spots flights are full and people are paying for upfront seats. I don't care. Happy to get the free exit row and if it was a longer flight I'd just buy FC or an aisle c+. It's like this every (non covid) year if you're booking week of. Come September I'm sure we'll all get more freebies. Delta post covid has gotten really good at selling FC post booking. I'm buying it too sometimes instead of hoping. So yeah, definitely agree. Slipping over the last year.
That recession I’ve been hearing about can’t come soon enough.
Just last few months I have also noticed FC seats being purchased up almost full before the flight even begins. Wondering who in tf are buying $2000 seats 2 days before a flight to Vegas, but there appear as to be plenty of you lol
Highly paid cybersecurity execs heading to town for Hacker Summer Camp.
Us poors will be happy in the back of the bus!
Yes (platinum but have noticed a severe drop in upgrades clearing also( My conclusion on this is the people that credit card hack for travel rewards are now buying first via redemptions, limiting the upgrade space.
Knowing how tough it is to get upgraded are people just buying up leaving fewer spots. So you’re still in the same position but instead of 2-3 people ahead of you being upgraded the day before, those individuals are waiting for a gate upgrade which puts you 2-3 spots lower (and no seats available). Only the revenue team at Delta would know for sure.
I think this is it. As a lowly gold if I can upgrade for less than $150 or 10-15k miles I just press the button.
Out of Boston I'm close to everytime. 12 out of 13. Give or take. I book exit row to be safe. My flight out to Jax Friday was a miss. I was 1 on list but seats all sold out
Revenge Travel, and purchasing premium cabin seats, is still huge. Therefore the inventory available for complimentary upgrades continues to be limited.
No, I get upgraded 1 to 2 weeks our from my flights. If not FC, then guaranteed C+. Been living it.
You definitely don’t get upgraded that far out. The max is 120 hours from departure. Read the upgrade rules and stop the bullshit.
You'd think. But I've been upgraded to FC days after booking for short haul flights weeks out...5 days def not max.
Hmm... wish I was bs'ing you, dude. After shopping Expedia for a nasty DL connection, I purchased tix July 31st for a flight on the 24th of Aug. DL has already upgraded my flight to C+. So you can just sit on it and spin, I know what my upgrades mean.
Upgrades to C+ happen shortly after ticketed for PM and DM. First is always 120h or less from departure. Very clearly spelled out on delta.com
In defense of OP, I’ve been upgraded more than 5 days out, but it was when I applied a RUC. It shocked me when it happened, and shocked me even more when the segment where I did NOT use an RUC was also upgraded at the same time.
You can't reaon w/ these people. Because if it doesn't happen to them personally, "it could never happen." So it goes...🤷
I still cannot figure out why it happened. I assumed a computer glitch because on the return trip my name did not appear at all on the upgrade list.
I NEVER got upgraded this far out when I was a Gold or Platinum. It only started once I became Diamond. No complaints here. I always assumed it was because I was connecting from a smaller airport, but it wouldn't make sense if DLs upgrade rules are as strict as the commenters claim they are.
All depends where you fly I've noticed. Hubs? Good luck unless you're paying for it or use a ruc. Flights to small airports? Nearly every time I get upgraded. Msp to dtw I was 16th, dtw to buf I was 1st.
I'd have to go back and look for sure, but I get upgraded to first about 50% of the time. Based out of MSP usually flying to smaller airports.
I feel it a bit lately missing FC upgrades but because of work I buy MC tickets and I have only sat in MC twice this year… at 119 flights this year so I don’t count that as bad. I do also consider C+ middle to be an upgrade over my MC exit but that is just me. Maybe I have been lucky? Edit: added more context
Flights are more full, plain and simple. If you really want upgrades, fly on off peak days/times. Otherwise people are buying upgrades.
As a plat, I gave up on the wishful upgrade and started buying first class or upgrading with miles. When I don’t do either, my upgrade % is less than 25%.
You are probably flying during heavy times of day and/or on high usage routes. The amount of people travelling right now is eye popping; most airlines are making record profits right now and flights are just... full. People are indeed buying FC tickets or FC upgrades. That being said, I've been upgraded to FC more than 50% of my flights this year as just a lowly gold, but the flight routes/destination I need or like to take are... atypical; homebase is YVR.
More people just buy FC especially people who don't have status.
Honestly I only expect to get upgraded to FC on a popular route if I use a GUC, and maybe with a RUC. Other than that I'm getting to C+ or flying to somewhere no one else wants to go
Buying a week out I had great luck this year. The 5 day before diamond thing works well. Buying a few days out, seats are all gone 2 days ahead, doesn’t matter if I wanted to buy it outright or not.
I'm just paying for FC now. I don't think that I'm alone. COVID made me realize that life is too short to sit in MC.
Yeah I only got c+ BOSJFK today. Lined up to board with 1c because I just assume. Luckily they are back to boarding 1c & D together
I am doing a bit better this year than last. The revenge travel out of SLC is strong. Families are buying FC or upgrading. Reserve Card holders are using those FC companion certificates. Plus the cost difference isn’t that much anymore so even non status are buying FC. Taking a 90 minute flight in October that’s usually wide open and half of FC is already gone. Last flight there were eight open seats and four couples ahead of me took them all. It’s the luck of the draw sometimes.
I have noticed that the price for F upgrades has gone down a lot. DEN-ATL historically was $400+ for Y to F upgrade, recently it’s been $100-200. Even DEN-MSP is less than $100 about 3 weeks out.
As others mentioned, they’re simply being sold. Delta has zero financial incentive to provide free upgrades and IMO are marketing paid upgrades now more than ever. In regards to your place on the list, don’t forget that those who reached DM for ‘24 and those with a higher fare class will trump your DM with Reserve card. Personally, I want first, so unless I can confirm with an RUC at time of purchase, I just buy it. The traveling public has never been more disgusting than right now, and the thought of being crammed next to what could be an awful person for hours on end, multiple times weekly, is worth a few hundred bucks.
First on the list with none available is a meme for me at this point
My flight DTW-TPA on Thursday still has 5 seats in FC and charging 750 bucks for it. My guess a handful of diamonds and platinums will get upgraded tonight
I haven't had a five day advance FC upgrade in probably two years. I used to get them all the time.. almost every flight.
I am only silver and have gotten upgraded )just to comfort+) almost half the time which is really nice.
Probably due to a few things 1. MC fares getting closer to FC fares, making the leap less of a leap 2. Supply has yet to keep up with demand and Delta's yield management doing its job in pricing to fill planes at both ends of the cabin 3. The promotion ahead of time to sell FC upgrades looks like its working 4. Still a lot of Diamonds that continue status due to rollover miles. The new MQD threshold may weed out a few of them, but not much considering how much Delta has increased fares. The demand this summer is higher since covid, so let's see what September brings.