Delta's Airport Upgrade Secrets: How To Get A Better Seat

Upgrading your seat at the airport can be a great way to boost your flight experience. Delta Air Lines offers various upgrade options, including upgrades with miles, complimentary upgrades for Medallion Elite members, companion upgrades, and the option to purchase upgrades when available. Medallion Elite status is the most powerful factor in getting upgraded, with several tiers offering different benefits. Delta SkyMiles cards can also improve your chances of an upgrade, and you can use your miles to upgrade other passengers. Additionally, Delta offers upgrades on partner airlines like Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM, and Aeromexico. Understanding these options can help travellers navigate the process of upgrading their seats at the airport with Delta.

Medallion status and complimentary upgrades

Medallion status is a reward system for Delta's SkyMiles members. Medallion members can earn rewards and benefits by flying with Delta on qualifying flights. There are four Medallion tiers: Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Silver. Each tier offers different benefits, with the highest tier providing exclusive benefits such as top priority for complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, waived fees, and more.

Medallion members can set their SkyMiles account preferences to automatically request upgrades when making a reservation with their SkyMiles number. They can also manually request upgrades for each flight. Medallion members who opt for complimentary upgrades before check-in will be given top priority within their eligibility window. If no upgrades are available at that time, they may still clear at the gate. If an upgrade is not confirmed at check-in, the member's request will be added to the airport standby list for a potential upgrade before boarding. Medallion members can view their spot on the standby list on the Fly Delta App, the "My Trips" section, and the Gate Information Display screens at the airport.

Medallion members can also use their miles to upgrade other passengers, even if they are not travelling themselves. This can be done through the Delta website or by contacting a Reservations Specialist. Upgrades with miles are only available for Delta or Delta Connection flights with enough available seats for all passengers in the reservation. Additionally, certain flights are not eligible for upgrades with miles on the Delta website or app, and upgrades must be done by calling a Reservations Specialist.

To increase their chances of receiving a complimentary upgrade, Medallion members can open a Delta SkyMiles Reserve or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card. These cards offer benefits such as access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges and a higher priority for upgrades. Medallion members can also choose flights that are not during peak business travel periods and avoid Delta's largest hubs, such as Atlanta, Minneapolis, New York, and Los Angeles, when connecting flights.

Delta SkyMiles cards

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

This card has no annual fee, making it ideal for occasional Delta travellers who want to earn miles without incurring extra costs. Cardholders can earn 2X miles on dining at U.S. restaurants and Delta purchases, and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. Additional benefits include a 20% discount on eligible in-flight purchases and the ability to take $50 off the cost of a flight for every 5,000 miles redeemed when booking through Delta.

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

The Gold card offers benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounts on eligible in-flight purchases and Delta award flights. Cardholders can earn 2X miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. supermarkets, and at restaurants worldwide, as well as 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 annually. Additionally, cardholders can earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

The Platinum card offers 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and comes with benefits like complimentary upgrades and companion certificates. The exact benefits and perks of this card are not readily available.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

The Reserve card is ideal for loyal Delta flyers, offering a range of premium benefits, including elite status boosts, rideshare credits, and airport lounge access. Cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 100,000 miles after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months. There is an annual fee of $650 for this card. Additionally, cardholders receive a companion certificate each year upon renewal, valid for First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin round-trip flights to select destinations.

Delta SkyMiles Business Cards

Delta also offers business versions of the Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards, which may have slightly different benefits and perks. For example, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card offers a welcome bonus of 110,000 miles after spending $12,000 in purchases within the first 6 months, with the same $650 annual fee as the personal version.

Overall, Delta SkyMiles cards offer a range of benefits and perks that can enhance your travel experience, especially if you frequently fly with Delta. By choosing the card that aligns with your needs and lifestyle, you can earn miles, enjoy travel perks, and even receive complimentary upgrades.

Upgrade with miles

Upgrading with miles is a great way to boost your flight experience with Delta. Medallion Members can set their SkyMiles account preferences to have their upgrades requested automatically, or they can manually request them for each flight.

To upgrade with miles, you must be logged in to your account on delta.com or the Fly Delta app. You can then book a Main Cabin ticket and will be given the option to upgrade with miles at the value of 1 cent per mile. For example, if the cost to upgrade is $450, you can use 45,000 miles. The Fly Delta app is also where you can view your spot on the standby list, as well as at the gate information display at the airport.

You can also use your miles to upgrade other passengers, even if you are not travelling. However, the entire reservation must be on a Delta or Delta Connection carrier, and there must be enough available seats to upgrade all passengers in the reservation. You must be logged in to an account with enough miles to upgrade at least one eligible segment in the reservation.

You can also use your miles to upgrade on certain Delta-operated, Virgin Atlantic-operated, Air France/KLM-operated, and Aeromexico-operated flights. These are called Mileage Upgrade Awards, and they may be redeemed for fixed mileage amounts according to the area of travel and are only valid with certain fare classes.

Upgrade certificates

To obtain upgrade certificates, you must reach Platinum or Diamond status. These certificates can then be used to strategically plan an upgraded trip. You can pay cash for an average seat and then use your upgrade certificates to access a much better seat.

Global Upgrade Certificates (GUCs) are also available for international flights. GUCs can be used to upgrade from economy to premium economy on Air France and Virgin Atlantic flights. For flights departing from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Global Upgrade Certificates must be applied before check-in with a KLM ticketing agent or at a KLM Crown Lounge.

For Delta One domestic upgrades, Medallion members can clear on the day of departure, subject to upgrade availability. Medallion members are also eligible for complimentary upgrades on Aeromexico-operated flights within Mexico, between Mexico and the U.S., Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia, and Ecuador.

It is also possible to use your miles to upgrade other passengers, even if you are not travelling. To do this, you must be logged in to your Delta account or be an authorized user of the account.

Partner-operated flights

Upgrading on partner-operated flights can be a little complex and depends on the partner airline. Here's a breakdown of the process for some of Delta's partners:

KLM-Operated Flights

For Delta-marketed flights operated by KLM, you can upgrade from Main Cabin seats (booked in specific classes) to business class. This is because KLM does not offer a premium economy cabin on many flights. If you have a KLM-marketed and operated flight, you can upgrade from an economy seat (booked in specific classes) to business class.

Air France-Marketed, KLM-Operated Flights

On these flights, you can upgrade from an economy seat (booked in specific classes) to business class. For flights departing from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), remember to apply your Global Upgrade Certificates before checking in with a KLM ticketing agent or at a KLM Crown Lounge.

Virgin Atlantic-Operated Flights

You can use your miles or a Mileage Upgrade Award to upgrade on Virgin Atlantic-operated flights. However, upgrading from economy to premium economy may be the only option unless you book a premium economy ticket outright.

Aeromexico-Operated Flights

Medallion members are eligible for complimentary upgrades on Aeromexico-operated flights within Mexico, between Mexico and the U.S., Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia, and Ecuador. These upgrades are available to all ticketed passengers, except those in basic economy.

It's important to note that Delta does not publish upgrade availability, and certain flights may not be eligible for upgrades through their website or app. Additionally, partner upgrades must be confirmed at least 24 hours before departure.

Frequently asked questions