Several readers contacted us for help using Delta.com to find confirmed upgrade availability. The feature is relatively new and a few more people are probably curious about how the process works. So let’s take a look!
How to Find Upgrade Availability on Delta.com
The only confirmed upgrade space you can find on Delta’s website is for Upgrade Certificates (UC). The feature is a great tool for Platinum Medallions or Diamond Medallions whose UC went unused and expired because they couldn’t find flights with available upgrades.
First, log in to your Delta.com account (the Fly Delta app does not show confirmed upgrade availability). Then plug in the dates of your trip. For our example, we’ll use a trip from LAX to my original hometown, Fargo.
I drew boxes and arrows to the area indicating where you’ll see confirmed upgrade availability.
Not all itineraries have confirmed upgrade inventory. And some with connections will have only one leg with availability. (Just because there are open seats doesn’t mean they’re currently available for complimentary upgrades. Delta wants to, you know, sell them.) Keep in mind that Basic Economy tickets aren’t available for upgrades.
Lucky for us, the itinerary aboard DL855 and DL2773 has confirmed upgrade space available on both flights!
We click “First available with Upgrade Certificate” and get this little popup that shows both legs are available.
Delta.com doesn’t allow you to apply the certs yourself. So you must call your Medallion line and ask a rep to do that. But when you (finally) get an agent on the line, the process is fairly easy and painless.
The process works the same for international Delta One flights. (Remember that Global Upgrade Certificates are available to Diamond Medallions. Platinums and below are out of luck.)
Just for grins, I punched in a trip from Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow.
Whoo-hoo! Delta One’s available!
In this case, one GUC gets you in domestic first class from ORD to ATL and Delta One from ATL to LHR! Call that Diamond Medallion line and get yourself in the swanky seats, my friend.
Unfortunately, you’re not able to check upgrade availability for partner flights.
You have to do that the old-fashioned way: call and ask.
I’ll generally search UC availability before booking a trip if I really want to be upgraded (i.e., Delta One). That helps me decide which flights to take (assuming my budget and schedule permit).
Final Approach
Delta.com’s new feature to search confirmed upgrade space is definitely a great function. Using it is fairly simple and can help you decide which flights to take. This makes Medallion status more valuable — and easier to use.
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Thanks. I believe you can use the certificates on award bookings as well?
Sure can.