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Ben/Lucky over at One Mile at a Time wrote a great post this afternoon about using Delta Diamond Medallion Global Upgrade Certificates for Korean Air first class.
This is a great opportunity to discuss some possibilities — as well as a few reminders about using GUCs, as the process differs a bit between the two carriers.
Using GUCs with Korean
To take advantage of this perk with Korean, you must first buy Prestige Class — KAL’s business class product — through Delta. It must be a Delta marketed and sold ticket. From there, call up your Medallion Desk and ask if there’s upgrade inventory available from business to first.
This isn’t like redeeming GUCs on Delta — where you can jump from Main Cabin/coach to Delta One. (And more on that, too, in a minute.)
How much is an upgrade from business to first “worth” on KAL?
First, you’ll have to buy — from Delta — that Prestige fare. As you can see on this ATL-ICN one way trip I selected for February 20 (a date I chose at random). Prestige runs about $4701.
Applying a GUC — and actually getting the upgrade to clear — puts you into a seat that retails for…
Just north of ten grand (at least, on this itinerary). So that’s a nice use of a GUC.
Remember, upgrade certificates are valid one-way. So if you don’t clear on one segment, you may have to slum it and sit with the unwashed in business class. (#FirstWorldProblems.)
“This could come in handy if you happen to be flying paid business class on Korean Air and can book it as a Delta codeshare,” Ben added, “but that’s about it, in my opinion.”
Many of us can attest that finding GUC upgrade inventory on Delta may be frustrating. I can’t imagine it will be any easier or more pleasant on KAL — especially after forking over thousands of dollars before applying GUCs.
Using GUCs for Delta One Upgrades — on Aircraft with Premium Select
When it comes to redeeming GUCs on Delta, you can skip the whole “buying a premium fare” thing.
You can apply an upgrade certificate — and go from coach to Delta One without having to purchase a Premium Select fare on aircraft outfitted with Premium Select. (Read Rene’s reviews of the A350’s Premium Select and Delta One Suites.)
We’ve heard horror stories of people burning two UCs — one from coach to Premium Select, and then another Premium Select to Delta One. Don’t do that.
Use the GUC for another flight — and great experience.
–Chris
Cover image: ©iStock.com/Teka77
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Long read but please help, my Father’s Bucket List Trip… Booked a trip from MKE to PHN (Cambodia) via Delta with the final leg being ICN to PHN on Korean Air. Used eCredits to the max and GUC’s to upgrade 4 of 6 total legs for my 76 year old Dad and I for him dream trip to Angkor Wat but the ICN to PHN and PHN to ICN legs are in Coach not First and Korean Air nor Delta are allowing me to select seats or even buy an upgrade. Been doing this nearly 15 years and have never had this issue… any advice to select seats or buy an upgrade would be appreciated as this is my Dad’s bucket list trip and I want to go all out. TIA
Did you call Delta?
Yup… they called Korean Air and said they won’t help… I’ve called and tried three times… do I keep calling?
Did you try Korean?
Next on the list…