Can I use/transfer Velocity points into Skymiles for Delta US domestic upgrade?

[clipped_wings]

Hi all. Stupid questions I know, but I am a newcomer so please excuse my ignorance.

Husband is VFF Gold Status with lots of points. We have a Delta flight LAX-JFK in August - paid on credit card for main cabin seating (U) via Delta.com
Question 1)
As Velocity Gold, do we get the chance for a complimentary upgrade to Comfort+?
Question 2)
I would love to upgrade to Business. I know Delta/Virgin Australia are partners but don't know if Velocity/Skymiles are interchangeable or transferable.
Can we upgrade to Comfort +/Delta One using Velocity points and if so, how?

Appreciate any advice............​

 

[get me outta here]

No such thing as a stupid question. We all share in providing and reading the answers. BTW, a belated welcome

 

[Milefest]

Hi there!

To answer your first question:

I had about an 80% success rate for upgrades to Y+ and an SFO to LAX flight I was upgraded to first due to the flight being almost empty.

You can upgrade either on the Delta app/website a day or so before the flight where the seats begin opening up or at check in where they will offer the upgrade if available.

I'm not sure about your second question though as I've never tried a points upgrade with DL.

 

[Quickstatus]

Hi all. Stupid questions I know, but I am a newcomer so please excuse my ignorance.

Husband is VFF Gold Status with lots of points. We have a Delta flight LAX-JFK in August - paid on credit card for main cabin seating (U) via Delta.com
Question 1)
As Velocity Gold, do we get the chance for a complimentary upgrade to Comfort+?
Question 2)
I would love to upgrade to Business. I know Delta/Virgin Australia are partners but don't know if Velocity/Skymiles are interchangeable or transferable.
Can we upgrade to Comfort +/Delta One using Velocity points and if so, how?

Appreciate any advice............​

The only way of using velocity points is on the velocity website. Cannot use velocity points on any other website/frequent flyer program

However velocity points can be converted to Krisflyer points to be used on the Krysflyer website. Cannot convert to Delta skymiles.


Velocity members will find it very hard/impossible to upgrade on US domestic flights.



Delta One which is Delta's transcontinental first class product ( has lie flat seats) costs $1000 USD which is quite expensive. If you are willing to fly to an intermediate hub like SLC or Detroit the price is usually about $500-600 in the standard first class cabin

Complimentary Comfort+ will be available to Gold 24 hours (Platinum 72 hours) before the flight assuming there are vacant seats in that section at the time of comp availability. C+ availability will be a lot lower at T-24 compared with T-72. Even at T-72 the availability will be low for a route like LAX-JFK. The request for upgrade is made during the original booking.

If you want to guarantee a C+ seat you will have to buy it at the full upgrade price.

(In the old Economy comfort - since superseded by Comfortplus, Delta had price discounts for Gold and Plat and their travelling party at the time of original booking for immediate upgrade. It was a no brainer, but that benefit has been "enhanced")

Because the Delta one is about USD$1000 currently and 4-5 times the economy price, I think for USD$100 its worth guaranteeing comfortplus it rather than missing out.

 

[clipped_wings]

Great advice thank you. Agree re: low odds for C+ on this particular route - may have to upgrade with cash but I would justify the investment as it's such a long domestic flight. When your travel dates for a quick holiday to the States are less than 14 days and 4 of those days are spent in the air, it's nice to fly the best class we can.

 

[Quickstatus]

Great advice thank you. Agree re: low odds for C+ on this particular route - may have to upgrade with cash but I would justify the investment as it's such a long domestic flight. When your travel dates for a quick holiday to the States are less than 14 days and 4 of those days are spent in the air, it's nice to fly the best class we can.

For sure

I think the Comfort+ will be the sweet spot especially a transcont. I think for flying West to east I would not use the flat bed on DeltaOne. Its really the time to stay awake for as much as possible to reset body clock.

Enjoy.

BTW for this trip VA Gold will have access to Delta lounge + 1 guest flying delta in LAX (upon arrival in USA)

Upon departure from USA - VA Gold will get access to Star Alliance Business Lounge in Tom Bradley Terminal (better than first class lounge) +1 guest flying VA. I think also JFK Delta lounge on return but Im not sure whether +1 guest or not


Would you put in a "Trip report" we are always keen to hear the the adventures of others in this forum

 

[deepblerg]

I have some recent experience requesting for Comfort+ upgrades from Delta as VA Gold.

First was on a LAX->NYC leg. I called Delta 24hrs before and they had absolutely no idea about Velocity and said there was nothing they could do and I should call Virgin Australia. I then called VA and they obviously couldn't help.

Second experience was on the NYC->LAX leg. I went to the check in desk at JFK to request the upgrade and they did it straight away, no problem at all.

So it appears to be a bit of a mixed bag. I have a few more Delta flights coming up so will let you know how they go!

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

This is something that has intrigued me as well. I'm SG with Velocity and generally book my US flights in First with Delta so I can work up the status credits. Generally the price differential makes it worthwhile, however I've always been intrigued as to where a standard Gold member such as myself would sit when it came to trying to get an upgrade to either Comfort+ or heaven forbid, Business/First.

Any thoughts, comments would definitely be appreciated, as I haven't booked this year's intra-US flights yet. Off to an assortment of any (or all) of Denver, Montreal, Atlanta, Cleveland-ish and San Antonio this year (long story).

 

[Dylan O'Connor]

October 2015 did LAX to JFK, got the complimentary upgrade to Comfort+ both ways.

Last week did it again, snagged one of the last two seats available. I booked my seat by doing Manage My Booking on the Delta website and going thru seat selection.

 

[clipped_wings]

Ok, I am loving all this information! I'm relieved I am not the only one who puts emphasis on the flying component of a holiday/trip.
I am always defending myself against well meaning people who ask me why I bother researching the flight class/seating/plane model. They say "Just fly economy and spend your money on the holiday" But for me (and I suspect most people here) - that flight is a huge, memorable part of the journey. SYD-LAX is a whole waking day in the air, so I feel very lucky to have found this website where I can enjoy all the questions and answers from like minded folk. I know that I'll have many more questions but already I am so much more informed - the tip re: upgrade at the desk and Lounge access is especially appreciated.
And if there's a thread for trip reports, I will definitely contribute - that's just more fun!
Thank you all!

 

[Quickstatus]

Ok, I am loving all this information! I'm relieved I am not the only one who puts emphasis on the flying component of a holiday/trip.
I am always defending myself against well meaning people who ask me why I bother researching the flight class/seating/plane model. They say "Just fly economy and spend your money on the holiday" But for me (and I suspect most people here) - that flight is a huge, memorable part of the journey. SYD-LAX is a whole waking day in the air, so I feel very lucky to have found this website where I can enjoy all the questions and answers from like minded folk. I know that I'll have many more questions but already I am so much more informed - the tip re: upgrade at the desk and Lounge access is especially appreciated.
And if there's a thread for trip reports, I will definitely contribute - that's just more fun!
Thank you all!

Get the Delta app. Login as guest keep existing data. It's a very good app. Dylan OC is tight . And upgrades and seat allocations best done through there. Your velocity number should be inserted for all your bookings

 

[serfty]

I have some recent experience requesting for Comfort+ upgrades from Delta as VA Gold.

First was on a LAX->NYC leg. I called Delta 24hrs before and they had absolutely no idea about Velocity and said there was nothing they could do and I should call Virgin Australia. I then called VA and they obviously couldn't help.

Second experience was on the NYC->LAX leg. I went to the check in desk at JFK to request the upgrade and they did it straight away, no problem at all.

So it appears to be a bit of a mixed bag. I have a few more Delta flights coming up so will let you know how they go!

You don't call for comfort+ - you just select the seats online (Desktop or App) for free within the timeframe.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

You don't call for comfort+ - you just select the seats online (Desktop or App) for free within the timeframe.

Serfty... Am I right to assume if you have 2 pax.. 1 with status and 1 without then you can upgrade the status passenger for free and pay the difference for the other inside the timeframe.

Also, what is your experience in availability. I feel like it is always a balance between purchasing comfort + at time of booking vs waiting to see if available at time of travel. I am never quite sure which way to go

 

[Quickstatus]

Serfty... Am I right to assume if you have 2 pax.. 1 with status and 1 without then you can upgrade the status passenger for free and pay the difference for the other inside the timeframe.

Also, what is your experience in availability. I feel like it is always a balance between purchasing comfort + at time of booking vs waiting to see if available at time of travel. I am never quite sure which way to go

I wonder if the Delta app will upgrade one for free and not the other if both be on the same ticket?.

That's exactly the uncertainty that Delta wants. They are hoping that some /most will pay for DC+ and not wait for upgrade.

 

[flying_duck]

I travelled 18 sectors on delta last year as a VA WP. Upgrades to comfort + were always not a problem except LAS - ATL. Every single flight was booked solid and I ended up at the back of the plane in a middle seat with a hangover. Never had an issue otherwise.

You should get status recognised, if you don't, repeat virgin australia or velocity. If it helps, here is what I have from a Delta insider regarding comfort+:

"Call DL, ask them to refer to Delta Comfort+ and complimentary access. Tell them you're VA Platinum. I just read it is 72 hours"

I always go online with my booking and change my seats 72 hours prior and they're always available. Try to pick routes with stopovers, as they are less desirable (and earn more SC anyway). I was also able to change a flight to an earlier flight the same day, by calling the call centre. This took a bit of convincing, but it is available to VA WP and Gold. You theoretically could do this to get more of a chance of an upgrade if it was that important to you.

Delta has always treated me well and I hope your experience is as good as mine have been.

 

[flying_duck]

I wonder if the Delta app will upgrade one for free and not the other if both be on the same ticket?.

That's exactly the uncertainty that Delta wants. They are hoping that some /most will pay for DC+ and not wait for upgrade.

A VA Gold or VA Plat can travel with up to 8 others and all people on the same booking receive the same benefits including baggage and priority boarding. You can read more here:

" Furthermore, the benefits listed below extend to up to 8 travel companions on the Medallion member's reservation for a total of 9 passengers."
Checked Baggage : Delta Air Lines

 

[CJEMNMAC]

A VA Gold or VA Plat can travel with up to 8 others and all people on the same booking receive the same benefits including baggage and priority boarding. You can read more here:

" Furthermore, the benefits listed below extend to up to 8 travel companions on the Medallion member's reservation for a total of 9 passengers."
Checked Baggage : Delta Air Lines

Thanks so much FIFOSuit

 

[Quickstatus]

A VA Gold or VA Plat can travel with up to 8 others and all people on the same booking receive the same benefits including baggage and priority boarding. You can read more here:

" Furthermore, the benefits listed below extend to up to 8 travel companions on the Medallion member's reservation for a total of 9 passengers."
Checked Baggage : Delta Air Lines

While this benefit still exists for priority boarding and luggage, and used to apply to economy comfort discounts, I believe only VA gold and plat get comp DC+ even if travelling with an entourage on same ticket

I have not done a comp for one and not the other as have never travelled on a ticket with more than one where this was contemplated.

 

[flying_duck]

I have, as recently as last May.

I have redeemed comfort+ for guests travelling with me with zero status multiple times. As long it is the same booking it applies as you are "travelling together".

I'm assuming you mean if a VA Plat/Gold is travelling with 8 companions, can they all get comfort+.
If you mean can a VA Plat/Gold sit in comfort+ whilst their companions sit in economy, absolutely. You just choose the seats for each individual.

 

[Quickstatus]

The delta comfort plus took over for tickets dated after 1 March 2015. Any tickets prior but flown after March were still on economy comfort rules

The change as correctly stated By FifoS does not affect the "up to 8 travelling companions on the same ticket" condition.

So if there are seats, a VA gold can get up to 8 comp DC+ at T-24hours.

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Specials/delta-comfort-terms/