V-Flyer

I noticed that starting 1 Apr that AU members are eligible for First Class (non BusinessElite) upgrades on DL's US network.

Has anyone either successfully been granted one, or know where in the hierarchy of priority VS AU members fall (as compared to DL's own SkyMiles members, for instance)?

Any insight is appreciated.

I saw that too which sounds like good news on paper ... but ... Delta Skymiles has four medallion tiers:

Silver
Gold
Platinum
Diamond

It'll be interesting to see where VS FC Au equates, I should think on a par with Skymiles Gold. In which case we could be a long way down the upgrade list ... on popular Delta routes that will mean virtually no chance of an upgrade. This is simply the way the American system works, there are so many elites and relatively few people actually paying for First that most First seats are given to elite upgrades (and there are sooo many elites that only Diamond is guaranteed to offer a good chance of a regular upgrade).

Good spot, I'll try it out soon and report back.

I think United operate the same way. I was once given the gift of an upgrade voucher by a colleague for a (very rare) work flight to the West Coast. When I asked how it operated, he said if not given the upgrade at check in, ask again at the gate. When I did that I was told there was a clear order of precedence, there were 13 upgrades available, I was 14th in "the list" and all 13 above me had turned up....

Whilst I was in NYC over the weekend I flew JFK-ATL-JFK for the two tier points I need to renew AU this year.
When I booked through expedia I then loged in to my booking on DL and was able to select a seat in economy comfort for free.
Displayed on the monitor above the gate or on the DL app you can see the upgrade list.
JFK-ATL I was 12th out of 14. I think 1 was upgraded to the last available seat.
On the way back I was 7th of 11.

CHill710 wrote:Displayed on the monitor above the gate or on the DL app you can see the upgrade list.

Oh that's useful information, thanks.

I suspect the key word here is "eligible" for an upgrade. On some flights I suspect that could mean half the plane!

Still, it's better than nothing and you never know, it might just happen!

CHill710 wrote:Whilst I was in NYC over the weekend I flew JFK-ATL-JFK for the two tier points I need to renew AU this year.
When I booked through expedia I then loged in to my booking on DL and was able to select a seat in economy comfort for free.
Displayed on the monitor above the gate or on the DL app you can see the upgrade list.
JFK-ATL I was 12th out of 14. I think 1 was upgraded to the last available seat.
On the way back I was 7th of 11.

So, not the worst, but definitely not something to hold your breath about. And as gumshoe said, it's certainly better than nothing.

It's also good to know that the "link" between the two airlines works, allowing you to both select an Economy Comfort seat, and automatically putting you on the upgrade list. Did all you do is add your FC # to the booking?

Thanks for the info!

Syrome wrote:It's also good to know that the "link" between the two airlines works, allowing you to both select an Economy Comfort seat, and automatically putting you on the upgrade list. Did all you do is add your FC # to the booking?

Thanks for the info!

That's all you do, then when you go online to select a seat you'll see EComfort options available. When you check in you'll get a BP with "Priority" on it to use the business lane for security and priority boarding. Works well.

As slinky says just enter your VS flying club number in the booking it then adds you as sky priority and puts you on the upgrade list.
And security at JFK was delinately quicker through the priority line.

The chances are very remote because they will inevitably give preference to their own miles program members.
Plus - platinum star wood members can also go on the free upgrade list - so with relatively few seats available in F on most flights the chances are rather slim.
If you really want F then you need to pay for it. On short flights that is not as expensive as it sounds.