All the essential tips and strategies for using Delta Upgrade Certificates in 2022

One of the many perks of having elite status with an airline is the opportunity for complimentary upgrades, available both automatically and through certificates you can apply to your future travels.

For Delta, Upgrade Certificates are designated for top-tier Delta Platinum and Diamond Medallion elites. These certificates take precedence over Medallion Complimentary Upgrades and can be requested and potentially confirmed at the time of booking.

In this guide, we will explore the various types of Upgrade Certificates, how to accumulate them, and the process for redeeming them.

Let's dive in.

A Guide to Delta Upgrade Certificates

Delta provides two varieties of Upgrade Certificates: Regional Upgrade Certificates (RUCs) and Global Upgrade Certificates (GUCs).

RUCs are valid for the same routes as Medallion Complimentary Upgrades, which include all Delta-operated domestic flights and select short-haul international routes. This encompasses all First Class flights and domestic Delta One experiences. In contrast, GUCs can be applied to any Delta-operated flight as well as some partner airlines (details to follow).

Each Upgrade Certificate applies to one-way travel. It accounts for any layovers you might have while traveling from Point A to Point B, but will be considered used even if your upgrade is confirmed for only part of your journey.

To illustrate, if you're traveling from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) with a layover at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), and your upgrade only applies to the one-hour flight from Chicago to Detroit, your certificate will still be marked as used. Fortunately, you can prevent this by requesting a Delta agent to prioritize one segment of your trip.

As of February 2022, each upgrade certificate is only applicable for upgrading by one class of service. This implies that passengers in Main Cabin or Comfort+ will be elevated to Premium Select — Delta's premium economy offering — on three-cabin international routes (and will be added to a Delta One waitlist 24 hours before departure). To upgrade directly to Delta One, you'll need to book Premium Select; you cannot use two Upgrade Certificates for a double upgrade. This regulation is applicable to both Delta and partner flights.

You can utilize RUCs and GUCs on paid tickets, award tickets, and Miles + Cash tickets for Delta-operated flights, along with Pay with Miles tickets, companion tickets, and tickets purchased as part of a Delta Vacations package. This policy makes Delta more accommodating than American Airlines and United, both of which do not permit the use of Upgrade Certificates on award tickets.

Delta's primary limitation is that you cannot use an upgrade on a Basic Economy (E fare) ticket, regardless of your Medallion status. All other published Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+ fares qualify for upgrades.

While these certificates are not fully transferable, Delta does allow you to use your RUC or GUC for a guest's ticket as long as they are flying on the same flight with you. Even if you're on separate reservations (for example, your company books your economy ticket and you later book your spouse's ticket), you can still apply your Upgrade Certificates for both travelers. Just keep in mind that each individual needs their own upgrade certificate.

Each certificate expires at the conclusion of the elite year. Therefore, if you acquire Global Upgrade Certificates in 2022, they will remain valid until January 31, 2024. These certificates must be used on a flight that is completed by that date, not merely booked. Due to the pandemic, all certificates due to expire between March 1, 2019, and January 31, 2022, have been extended to January 31, 2023.

How to obtain Delta Upgrade Certificates

Considering the value of Delta Upgrade Certificates, they are quite exclusive. The only way to acquire them is by selecting them as one of your "Choice Benefits."

Choice Benefits are available upon reaching Delta Platinum and Diamond Medallion status. Diamond Medallion members can select from the following three options as part of their Choice Benefits:

1. Four Global Upgrade Certificates.
2. Eight Regional Upgrade Certificates.
3. Two Global Upgrades and four Regional Upgrades.

On the other hand, Platinum Medallion members can opt for four Regional Upgrades as their only Choice Benefit.

Since these certificates are usually valid for 12 months from their issue date, if you don't have an immediate need for them, it's wise to wait as long as possible after achieving Platinum or Diamond status to claim your Choice Benefits. The final deadline is always January 31 of the following year.

Looking for upgrade availability

You can check for upgrade availability directly on Delta's website.

Log in and search for flights as you usually would. If you have Upgrade Certificates in your account, the availability for upgrades will be displayed beneath the route and flight times.

If your itinerary consists of multiple segments, you can click on the text to view availability for specific flights.

As noted, certificates are currently only valid for a single class upgrade, and you cannot use two Upgrade Certificates for a double upgrade. However, those using GUCs to move from Main Cabin to Premium Select benefit from last-seat availability, granting access to any unsold seats.

How to utilize Delta Upgrade Certificates

Currently, you cannot apply Upgrade Certificates online on your own. Instead, you'll need to call Delta or reach out via their iMessage chat support to have an agent apply one to your reservation. Unfortunately, gate agents cannot process Upgrade Certificates at the airport. If a confirmed upgrade is not available, you can ask to be placed on a waitlist.

You can request to use your certificate up to three hours before departure, but it's best to do it as early as possible. For itineraries with connections, ask the agent to prioritize the leg that is most important to you, ensuring that a Global Upgrade Certificate isn't wasted on a short domestic flight.

Delta does not always inform you when your upgrade is confirmed, so be vigilant and monitor your itinerary closely.

If you're on a waitlist and your upgrade doesn't go through, your certificate will be returned to your online wallet for use until its original expiration date.

Using Delta Upgrade Certificates for flights with partners

Upgrade Certificates can be utilized on any Delta-operated flights as well as select flights operated by partners like KLM, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, and Aeromexico. However, the specific rules may differ by partner.

Generally, except for Air France and KLM, you need to book your partner flight through Delta for it to qualify for upgrades. With all partner airlines, upgrades can only be requested if they are confirmable — waiting lists are not permitted. Similar to Delta flights, upgrades are restricted to the next class of service (i.e., from economy to premium economy).

Aeromexico

Most Aeromexico-operated flights can be upgraded as long as they are sold by Delta. Delta's published fares in classes W, Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X, or V can be upgraded to Aeromexico's business class (O class).

Air France

For flights operated by Air France and sold through Delta, the following economy fare classes are eligible for an upgrade to premium economy (A class): Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X, or V. Additionally, premium economy fares can be upgraded to business class (Z class) from the following classes: W, S, or A.

If you're buying your ticket directly from Air France, you can upgrade the following economy fare classes: Y, B, M, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R, or V. Moreover, you can upgrade these premium economy fare classes: W, S, or A.

KLM

Upgrade Certificates can be used on Delta-marketed flights operated by KLM for Main Cabin fares booked in Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X, or V class. If you buy your ticket directly from KLM, you can upgrade Main Cabin fares in Y, B, M, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R, or V class.

Global Upgrades for KLM flights need to be confirmed at least 24 hours prior to departure.

Korean Air

Upgrades are available for a limited number of Korean Air-operated flights sold through Delta. Fares booked in Y or B class can upgrade to Korean Air's Z business class, while fares booked in M class upgrade to Korean Air's O business class.

Global Upgrades for Korean Air flights need to be confirmed at least 24 hours prior to departure.

Virgin Atlantic

With Upgrade Certificates, you can move from economy to premium economy or from premium economy to Upper Class (business class) on Virgin Atlantic. Delta-marketed, Virgin Atlantic-operated flights booked in W, S, Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X, or V class can upgrade to Premium Economy (P class), while those booked in P, A, or G class can upgrade to Upper Class (G class).

Global Upgrades for Virgin Atlantic flights also require confirmation 24 hours before your departure.

Bottom line

Even with a recent reduction in value, Delta Upgrade Certificates remain extremely useful. In particular, a Diamond Medallion using a Global Upgrade Certificate sits at the top of any upgrade waitlist. Typically, there will be at least one unsold seat available on long-haul flights. Although you must call to apply these certificates to your reservations, checking upgrade availability online is straightforward.