In addition to yesterday’s great news that Delta is extending all active/unused Upgrade Certificates through December 31, 2021, and giving us the ability to check on Delta.com GUC and RUC availability, there are two more #KeepClimbing additions:
Upgrade Certificates Are Now Valid for Award Tickets!
In addition to cash and Pay With Miles tickets, Delta Air Lines now lets Medallions redeem their Upgrade Certificates on both Award Travel and Miles + Cash tickets on Delta-operated flights.
Not to sound like a cliche here, but Delta award travel just became more rewarding.
Keep in mind this addition is valid only on flights operated by Delta. However, I do see it available on flights operated by Delta Connection partners.
Multiple Companions with Your Upgrade Certificates
Here’s another fun change. You’re no longer limited to upgrading just one companion with you. If you have, say, four available Certs, then four people might be upgraded!
There are a few points to keep in mind:
- Each companion requires his or her own Upgrade Certificate.
- Your companions must be your PNR/confirmation number — or their reservation must be linked to your PNR/confirmation number.
- Confirmed upgrade inventory is generally not a sure-thing. Just because you have a bunch of certificates and people you’re traveling with doesn’t mean everyone’s riding upfront. For example, I recently booked a trip for five people this fall. Our flights offer Delta One seats and service — but there’s no upgrade inventory. This despite the seat map and Fly Delta app indicating not a single Delta One seat has been sold on either flight. (Granted, seat maps and the Fly Delta app don’t necessarily indicate available inventory.) Delta apparently wants to make some money and try to sell those seats instead. (How dare they?! 😉 )
Final Approach
Again, credit where it is due: these changes make it better to be a Medallion. They benefit Delta’s more loyal customers — and also give others a glimpse into the “Medallion life.”
Because as we all know, it’s tough to quit it once you’ve had a taste.
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2 of my active GUCs are still set to expire in July 2021
All my RUCs which expired 12/31/20 are no longer showing
You should be fine. In our post breaking the news yesterday, we quoted Delta:
“All active Upgrade Certificates will be extended, and unused, previously expired Upgrade Certificates will be reissued by Monday, March 8, 2021; these updates will be automatically reflected in your SkyMiles account.“
Do you think the upgrade certificates will work on basic economy award tickets? I have a trip to Hawaii with the girlfriend coming up, my ticket was cash and I applied the upgrade certs and hers was basic economy award ticket, I was bracing myself for the beat down I was going to take at the gate, but if I can use them on hers too it’ll keep me out of the dog house
Uh-oh. I hope the dog house has a comfy blanket, decent kibble, and fresh water. Basic Economy tickets aren’t eligible.
Thoughts and prayers, Jordon.(Or just call Delta and see what it would cost to get her a Main Cabin ticket.)
Thanks for the info! I better call delta and try and bump it to main cabin. Cheaper than two rooms!
Love your site!
Good luck! Let us know what happens. Thanks for the kind words!
Hi Chris ! Love the photo of you and your wife !
So I booked miles ticket jfk to lax before this new perquisite. Am I able to somehow access the info to use RUs on those flights ?
Thanks also what is the current rule for refund for a revenue ticket booked late February 21 pLz?
Thanks, Nina! You should be able to go to Delta.com and start searching for new trip, as if you haven’t yet purchased yours. Find the exact flights and dates you booked — and see if upgrade space is available. (Or just call Delta.)