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Despite SkyMiles redemptions on partner airlines taking a big hit, there’s actually some decent news today — for Delta Diamonds.
TPG’s Zach Griff reports that Global Upgrade Certificates (GUC) — a Choice Benefits options — now allow holders to upgrade from coach to business class. Previously, the best they did was upgrade you to premium economy.
First class is still off-limits, though.
A few other notable changes:
- Upgrades to Air France now clear into Z class. They were O, which didn’t have as much inventory as Z
- Discounted Delta coach fares are now applicable for GUC upgrades on Air France. It was Y, B, or M, which are rather $pendy fares. Zach says, “For Air France-operated flights sold by Delta, the following coach fare classes are eligible for an upgrade to biz: Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V. Additionally, all Air France premium economy fares booked on either Air France or Delta can now be upgraded into business class with a GUC.”
- Air France or KLM tickets sold by AF, KL, or DL may now be upgraded
- GUCs can be applied to Air France flights of at least 1,750 miles
Final Approach
Global Upgrade Certificates (GUC) are a fantastic benefit. It’s sometimes difficult to find available inventory but these changes make it a little easier to get somewhere nice — in more comfortable seats.
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Guc’s have never worked for me on AF or KLM even with the correct class of service,,!
Thanks Chris. Is KLM also Z class? The availability looks great if it is.
Not as far as we know yet.
RENE – What about changes to mileage upgrades on Air France – will they come out of ‘Z’ and have the less restrictive fares.
Not all of us are big-shot Diamond Medallion like you
I wouldn’t get my hopes up about mileage upgrades in Z class. But if we learn something, we’ll post something!
I used to look forward to using GUCs especially on mileage runs. I was able to enjoy several runs when I first became Diamond. But the frequent unavailability along with the uncertainty of snagging a seat from the waiting list has soured me on the perk. I wish the websites made it easier to locate possible routes and flight plans.
Chris is there a No fee AMEX card that gets MR points? Do you have a link and will it get you anything if I used your link?
There sure are! The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express earns 2X MRs per buck spent to $50k a year. If you click the “Learn More” or “Learn how to apply” or the card on this page and get approved, the blog receives a commission — thank you so much for thinking of us!
Also, the Amex EveryDay Credit Card is a personal card with no annual fee and it earns 2X at supermarkets, up to $6k a year in purchases. And if you use the card 20 times in a billing period, you get a 20% points bump on those purchases. I like that card’s welcome bonus a little more, to be honest: spend $1000, get 10k Membership Rewards points. It should be the very last card on the bottom of this page.
Thank you again for thinking of the blog!!
Hi, is there a way to use these certificates to upgrade Flying Blue award tickets booked on KLM?
I don’t believe so.