Silver and above benefit on Delta - free Delta Comfort Plus seats

[scubabe]

Does it only show during the check-in window? I added my number over a week ago and it still doesn't show.

I believe that all that happens is that at T-24 hours if you log in to the Delta website the seat selection options will give a $0 charge for a Comfort+ seat. Not certain, as I'm not travelling until April, but it looks like that's what will happen.
Because for some weird reason, on one of my mid-length internal US flights last week for some reason when I logged in just one of my legs allowed me to select a Comfort+ seat for a $0 charge?
Anyway if you can wait until April I can update after my trip

 

[celph]

Has anyone had experience with upgrading others on the same itinerary without status to Comfort+?

 

[Ausbt]

Has anyone had experience with upgrading others on the same itinerary without status to Comfort+?

Yes, my wife when we were LAX-JFK-LAX a few years back. I believe I did this over the phone with Delta. Of course back then it wasn't free - this was under the old 50% off for VA WP arrangements.

 

[johnnyfive]

I believe that all that happens is that at T-24 hours if you log in to the Delta website the seat selection options will give a $0 charge for a Comfort+ seat. Not certain, as I'm not travelling until April, but it looks like that's what will happen.
Because for some weird reason, on one of my mid-length internal US flights last week for some reason when I logged in just one of my legs allowed me to select a Comfort+ seat for a $0 charge?
Anyway if you can wait until April I can update after my trip

A thanks for the reply. What about the darker blue "preferred seats" located behind the Comfort+ area, do they open up for $0 at T-24 as well?

 

[scubabe]

Has anyone had experience with upgrading others on the same itinerary without status to Comfort+?

I think it's the status holder and up to 8 peeps on the same booking that all get the same perk - I read something to that effect on Velocity website?

 

[scubabe]

A thanks for the reply. What about the darker blue "preferred seats" located behind the Comfort+ area, do they open up for $0 at T-24 as well?

No idea, I don't think so, as the advertised perk is Comfort+
But I certainly hope so, because my flight LAX-MIA is just under 6 hours and there's no C+ seats left on it, but plenty of Preferred... so it'd be nice to get an exit row seat if I can't get the C+. Time will tell I guess!

 

[lm118]

This link has some info about the preferred seats https://pro.delta.com/content/deltapro/en_US/policy-library/seat-programs/preferred-seating.html

Although not specifically mentioned, I've found that if you have status with Velocity (Gold/Plat, not sure about Silver), you should be able to select the preferred seats for free at anytime. Easy to do online, but I did have to call them once about it when I couldn't do it online.

Otherwise, they're available for purchase 45 days out.

 

[Ausbt]

Although not specifically mentioned, I've found that if you have status with Velocity (Gold/Plat, not sure about Silver), you should be able to select the preferred seats for free at anytime. Easy to do online, but I did have to call them once about it when I couldn't do it online.

Not my current experience ahead of my SYD-LAX for 29/03/16. After bringing up my booking on Airline Tickets and Flights to Worldwide Destinations : Delta Air Lines, I can see the words 'Sky Priority' near the 'Upgrade my Trip' button, but clicking the latter brings up the AUD$131 pay option only.

 

[Muppet501st]

This link has some info about the preferred seats https://pro.delta.com/content/deltapro/en_US/policy-library/seat-programs/preferred-seating.html

Although not specifically mentioned, I've found that if you have status with Velocity (Gold/Plat, not sure about Silver), you should be able to select the preferred seats for free at anytime. Easy to do online, but I did have to call them once about it when I couldn't do it online.

Otherwise, they're available for purchase 45 days out.

definately not free at anytime, from experience last month. And yes everyone on the same booking can be upgraded for free if there are c+ seats available. a good benefit is the baggage allowance that is also applied to everyone on the VA status holders booking.
Personally i preferred the old 50% upgrade to the new take a chance for free benefit.
But like anything, if you want the upgraded seats, then pay for them.

 

[johnnyfive]

Just tried a dummy booking as a VA Gold.

I found that Preferred seats were blocked out completely at T-24. Even though checking the seat map without status still offered them for sale.

The other interesting thing is that Comfort+ was only complimentary for the first flight in a two flight trip. Seems like the other flight would only open up at T-24 from its departure.

Is this just because I haven't actually purchased the ticket, or has anyone experienced the same when you OLCI with a confirmed ticket at T-24?

 

[johnnyfive]

Juat a quick update. Got some free Comfort+ seats at T-24 yesterday!

Strange thing though my Velocity number did not bring up Sky Priority on my boarding pass, nor did it scan in the Skyclub. Had to present physical card and was told that VA status generally has trouble linking up with Delta for Sky Priority. This just means you must carry your card around for lounge access and boarding. I am amazed how early boarding really helps you secure some carry on space. I saw some people boarding with two large roller bags and some personal items and usually the last to board are asked to check their carry ons.

Anyway it's a shame VA status has trouble linking up with Delta at times. Sky Priority also helps with TSA queues, and they see "Sky Priority" on your boarding pass. A shiny status card won't cut it with them.

 

[serfty]

Perhaps the issue with linking may relate to some numbers and not others. My Velocity number has always invoked the correct DM translation on DL.com and all BP's have shown Sky Priority.

This with 40+ segments so far.

 

[Gary_S]

Thought I'd share my experience last week with Delta and Velocity. My better half and I (both Virgin Gold) took advantage of some on sale SYD-LAX premium economy seats with Virgin. Once the impulse to buy the tickets was over we decided we really didn't want to goto LA, it just doesn't appeal, so we booked LAX-SFO on Delta using our velocity FF number on the booking.

After reading this thread we were ready for a lot of explaining to try to get our Virgin Gold privileges recognised, so we went armed with lots of screen shots on my iPad from both Virgin and Delta sites to help us through if we came across Delta staff who weren't educated in the finer details. I must say they really weren't needed, everything went smoothly, we received all privileges our Virgin Gold status afforded us - free baggage, priority check in, priority baggage, free upgrade to Comfort+ <24 hrs (done via the Delta app & website when checking in) and lounge access in both LAX and SFO. My FF & status points for the Delta flights were credited to my Virgin account in less than 48 hours - I actually got the LAX-SFO points before Virgin credited me with their SYD-BNE-LAX points. The only hiccup we had, if you could call it that was at the SFO lounge, the attendant asked me for my AmEx Platinum card for entry, when I asked why the other attendant stepped in, looked at our boarding passes and said "no that's fine, they are Virgin Gold" - I can't remember if we had to present our cards as proof.

This was our first time in the States and first time flying with Delta, I have to say it was a wonderful experience, the staff were all friendly and courteous, the aircraft were almost new (think we were just lucky there), the in flight meal/snack was far and above anything Virgin or Qantas have ever presented and was served promptly, it had to be, it was only a 53 minute flight! The lounge and the lounge staff were A1, the entry attendants both in LAX and SFO explained the lounge to us, where everything was and how to sign up for showers if we needed - we really must have looked like grotty newbies

 

[drewbles]

Thought I'd share my experience last week with Delta and Velocity. My better half and I (both Virgin Gold) took advantage of some on sale SYD-LAX premium economy seats with Virgin. Once the impulse to buy the tickets was over we decided we really didn't want to goto LA, it just doesn't appeal, so we booked LAX-SFO on Delta using our velocity FF number on the booking.

After reading this thread we were ready for a lot of explaining to try to get our Virgin Gold privileges recognised, so we went armed with lots of screen shots on my iPad from both Virgin and Delta sites to help us through if we came across Delta staff who weren't educated in the finer details. I must say they really weren't needed, everything went smoothly, we received all privileges our Virgin Gold status afforded us - free baggage, priority check in, priority baggage, free upgrade to Comfort+ <24 hrs (done via the Delta app & website when checking in) and lounge access in both LAX and SFO. My FF & status points for the Delta flights were credited to my Virgin account in less than 48 hours - I actually got the LAX-SFO points before Virgin credited me with their SYD-BNE-LAX points. The only hiccup we had, if you could call it that was at the SFO lounge, the attendant asked me for my AmEx Platinum card for entry, when I asked why the other attendant stepped in, looked at our boarding passes and said "no that's fine, they are Virgin Gold" - I can't remember if we had to present our cards as proof.

This was our first time in the States and first time flying with Delta, I have to say it was a wonderful experience, the staff were all friendly and courteous, the aircraft were almost new (think we were just lucky there), the in flight meal/snack was far and above anything Virgin or Qantas have ever presented and was served promptly, it had to be, it was only a 53 minute flight! The lounge and the lounge staff were A1, the entry attendants both in LAX and SFO explained the lounge to us, where everything was and how to sign up for showers if we needed - we really must have looked like grotty newbies

As Virgin flies into LAX, i've found absolutely zero problems with any kind of recognition at check-in or the lounge for DL as a VA elite. In the early days, there were issues, but it's been smooth sailing for at least the past 36 months.

SFO has also been excellent. There's sure to be a lot of feeder traffic both to and from SFO for DL and VA. Recognition up there has always been perfect for me too.

The place you run into issues is smaller, regional airports that have never heard of Virgin Australia, so keep your iPad primed if you ever step onto a regional jet

 

[Ausbt]

This was our first time in the States and first time flying with Delta, I have to say it was a wonderful experience

Keep the posts coming Gary, if you have time offer up a mini Trip Report, plenty here will enjoy a first-timers impressions of SFO and the US, no matter how many times we've all been there. SFO is a great city, you'll love it I'm sure. As much as we might run down the US a bit in our media / whatever, it's just such a great travel destination you never get sick of it. Delta certainly have their good points, I mean free upgrades to Comfort+ are a great perk for WPs. A favourite Delta experience was LAX-JFK when I trekked down to the galley to ask for my third drink, a glass of red. "A bottle sir? Large or small?" Me: "...ahhhh ahhhh large please". Yes, they actually did have 375ml bottles (or whatever in Oz). I'll take three, thanks.

 

[Dannyism]

Planning a trip LAX to JFK in May/June 2017. Does this promo have an expiry? Are the F seats lie flats?

I'm trying to decide if I want to pay ~260USD pp one way for comfort plus, or redeem ~50,000 VApoints pp one way for Delta F or VirginAmerica F... I notice Virgin America has no free lounge out of JFK...

 

[Muppet501st]

Planning a trip LAX to JFK in May/June 2017. Does this promo have an expiry? Are the F seats lie flats?

I'm trying to decide if I want to pay ~260USD pp one way for comfort plus, or redeem ~50,000 VApoints pp one way for Delta F or VirginAmerica F... I notice Virgin America has no free lounge out of JFK...

Its not a promo, its a published benefit ( but enhancements could change all that )

 

[Warks]

It only cost me about $20 more to fly SEA-LAX when I booked so with the benefit of the additional SCs it's probably not worth trying for it on stand-by if the price difference isn't great.


On cheap F upgrades a couple of years ago I got offered to upgrade my LAX-YVR flight for $50. That was Alaskan though...

 

[newmarket]

First class is often still excellent value for SC's. I can often get first class for less than US $100 more each way.

 

[Dannyism]

So I booked my LAX - JFK flights. 260USD pp each way. OK price I guess, unfortunately the day I fly in all the reward availability was gone due to the memorial day holiday...

My next question is. I am platinum VA, my partner is red VA. I booked us on the same itinerary. Can I upgrade us both to comfort+ at T-72 hours?

Another observation is that I can see a paid option to upgrade to C+ for 19USD pp one way. I can also see Sky Priority and Not Complimentary Upgrade Eligible and down lower Platinum Medallion / Elite Plus