Delta Gold Medallion / Elite Plus and Delta Comfort+

[Rj_louise]

Good morning all,

Just wanted to verify the conflicting info I have, flying Delta in October, my booking states that I am Gold Medallion/Elite Plus, checked the entitlement for this on Delta website in regards to upgrading to Delta Comfort+ and it states that an upgrade can be requested 72 hours prior. I'm VA Gold and the VA website states that the upgrade can be requested 24 hours prior.

Has anyone had experience with this? FWIW I will be attempting the 72 hours and if knocked back will try again at 24 hours but just curious to know what the likelihood it.

 

[Denali]

By memory, the 72hrs is correct because Delta "enhanced" their medallion program a few months ago.

The New Delta Experience FAQs | Delta Air Lines


Q:As a Gold Medallion member, when can I select a Delta Comfort+ seat at no additional charge?
A: Effective March 1, 2015: Gold Medallion members can select a Delta Comfort+ seat at no additional charge starting 72 hours prior to departure for both domestic and international travel (based on availability).

 

[lm118]

I had two different experience on a recent (July) LAX-MCO return flight. It was on a VA code (as part of BNE-LAX-MCO), so your experience may be different if it's booked as DL code. Interestingly the VA PNR worked on the Delta website.

LAX-MCO: Could not select seats online. Also unable to check in online. At BNE check in, agent said seats would be assigned at gate, and given gate pass. Gate agent gives us Comfort+, we didn't ask for it (just happy to get an aisle seat for the +1), so there were clearly some remaining when we were at the gate.

MCO-LAX, able to check in online and select seats. A few remaining Comfort+ seats available to select at T-24. Could not select Comfort+ seats online before this time.

In summary I would tend to rely on what the VA website says, ie, 24 hours for Gold, 72 hours for Plat.

 

[doczim]

I had two different experience on a recent (July) LAX-MCO return flight. It was on a VA code (as part of BNE-LAX-MCO), so your experience may be different if it's booked as DL code. Interestingly the VA PNR worked on the Delta website.

LAX-MCO: Could not select seats online. Also unable to check in online. At BNE check in, agent said seats would be assigned at gate, and given gate pass. Gate agent gives us Comfort+, we didn't ask for it (just happy to get an aisle seat for the +1), so there were clearly some remaining when we were at the gate.

MCO-LAX, able to check in online and select seats. A few remaining Comfort+ seats available to select at T-24. Could not select Comfort+ seats online before this time.

In summary I would tend to rely on what the VA website says, ie, 24 hours for Gold, 72 hours for Plat.

I just checked our Delta reservation which is VA ticketed JFK | LAX | BNE . I used the VA confirmation code on the Delta site and it retrieved the Delta reservation and also gave me a Delta confirmation code to use. Reservation has Platinum Medallion / Elite Plus recorded. I couldn't select any seats ( I'm 150+ days out) . I am hoping i can select or be given comfort + prior

 

[lm118]

I just checked our Delta reservation which is VA ticketed JFK | LAX | BNE . I used the VA confirmation code on the Delta site and it retrieved the Delta reservation and also gave me a Delta confirmation code to use. Reservation has Platinum Medallion / Elite Plus recorded. I couldn't select any seats ( I'm 150+ days out) . I am hoping i can select or be given comfort + prior

Is the seat map greyed out, or are the seats showing as available but you can't select them?

I'm almost certain it has to do with the VA codeshare...I believe if you booked directly with DL then it would be easier to select seats.

I should mention that for my MCO-LAX above, months prior to check in, I could not select seats online even though the seat map appeared open. I had to call the Delta phone # in Australia, and get seats allocated. With status you should be able to get seats just behind Comfort+.

 

[doczim]

Is the seat map greyed out, or are the seats showing as available but you can't select them?

I'm almost certain it has to do with the VA codeshare...I believe if you booked directly with DL then it would be easier to select seats.

I should mention that for my MCO-LAX above, months prior to check in, I could not select seats online even though the seat map appeared open. I had to call the Delta phone # in Australia, and get seats allocated. With status you should be able to get seats just behind Comfort+.

it shows the map, but nothing is selectable. has a message at the top saying "Currently, you may only view seats for this flight."

Im sure it likely is the codeshare thing. We bought Y and upgraded the international segments to J. But were not able to upgrade the domestic leg, which I knew, I just hoped I could choose Comfort+

when you said I should be able to call and get seats behind Comfort+ allocated, is that because COMFORT+ isn't allocated till closer to the departure? I thought maybe I could get those allocated with status, ot is that more of a wait and see and hope ! lol

 

[blingy90]

Hi all....I have a similar question re VA ticket/Delta operated seating, rather then starting a new thread was hoping I could piggyback on this thread (happy to start a new thread if a problem!)

I am a VA plat, have a service booked with VA in early Feb 16' from JFK-LAX-BNE-NTL, with the JFK-LAX leg being operated by delta.
Currently unassigned seat for this leg, and when I log into Delta and choose the 'select seat' option, I can see the seat map...however get this message "Currently, you may only view seats for this flight.".
Is this because I'm a VA ticket, or is there a timeframe when delta allow seat assignment? Or best just to call delta?

 

[lm118]

For both doczim and blingy90, it's best to call up the Delta reservations line and try and get seats allocated. Otherwise you risk getting split up and/or placed down the back. From the time I booked, the Delta website never let me select seats online. If you can speak to someone, they can try and allocate seats. It then should show up on the website.

If you mention your Velocity or equivalent Delta status, you should have more seats to choose from ie "preferred" seats. For Velocity Gold and Plat, you could ask for Comfort+ but I'm pretty sure this isn't available until closer to the flight (72hrs before for Plat, 24hrs before for Gold).

From what I've read and experienced (and this probably only applies to VA codeshares) the best way for Plats is to call the reservations line at 72 hours before departure and see if they'll move you to Comfort+.

For Golds, or if they won't do it over the phone, try and access online checkin right on 24hours and if Comfort+ is available you should be able to select them.

 

[blingy90]

Cheers Im118...that is really helpful advice. I'll give delta a call. Hopefully will be able to get comfort+

 

[doczim]

Thanks for the advice Im118. I'll do this and report back.

 

[stux]

Thanks for the advice Im118. I'll do this and report back.

I don't know if its because I'm WP or if its the booking class, but I always just login to Delta's website with my PNR and select the EC+ seats... Sometimes weeks before the flight.

Nice not having to pull out a CC to have a beer.

 

[Teal747]

Is that a special benefit of a virgin platinum over a virgin gold ?

 

[Teal747]

Does this feature apply to award tickets too ?

 

[stux]

Is that a special benefit of a virgin platinum over a virgin gold ?

I think its a platinum benefit. Not sure though.

• From 1 March 2015 members can request a complimentary upgrade to Delta Comfort+™** 72 hours prior to departure, offering dedicated overhead space, complimentary beer, wine and spirits, premium snacks on longer flights, complimentary premium entertainment with Delta Studio™ and extra legroom and seats in the front of the cabin.

Well, there ya go. The point is, you don't have to wait till T72 to do it.

I book my flights, then immediately jump onto Delta's website and pick my EC+ seats. (at least 1-3 weeks out for the return generally)

Truth be told, its one of my favourite platinum benefits. Most of my flying is on VA1/2 to some random state on a DL/VA codeshare.

 

[serfty]

hmmm ... as a WP I have one of my rare DL main cabin bookings for a flight in January and am unable to select E+ ...

I was able to do so for a flight back in March that I switched to due to irrops day of travel.

My bookings do come up Diamond ...

 

[doczim]

hmmm ... as a WP I have one of my rare DL main cabin bookings for a flight in January and am unable to select E+ ...

<snip>

My bookings do come up Diamond ...

This is my experience also. I'm going to try call tomorrow

 

[newmarket]

I always have to wait until T-72, in fact last month I couldn't even access the preferred econ seating on DL 16/17.

 

[EUROPA]

I don't know if its because I'm WP or if its the booking class, but I always just login to Delta's website with my PNR and select the EC+ seats... Sometimes weeks before the flight.

Nice not having to pull out a CC to have a beer.

Hi,

I'm WP and have a DL internal flight coming up in Dec. I can log-in to DL now and select seats. EC+ are showing but if I select them it tries to add a charge to my 'cart'. Assume that as I get closer to departure this cost will drop away and I will be able to select EC+ for free?? Is that how it works?

Thanks

 

[newmarket]

In my experience, yes.

 

[stux]

In my experience, yes.

It might be a perk of the booking class too. Last few flights have been booked as W