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

[johnnyfive]

Spoke to soon... here's the "enhancement"

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Info/delta-comfort-upgrade/

[h=1]Delta Air Lines Delta Comfort+™ Terms and Conditions[/h]

• Effective 19 September 2016, Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver members can request to waitlist for complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+[SUP]TM[/SUP] seats.
• All upgrades will be subject to the availability of Delta Comfort+TM seats on the day of flight departure.
• To request for an upgrade on a Delta Air Lines flight (including codeshare or interline flights purchased through Virgin Australia), you must ‘opt in’ for an upgrade request through the Delta Air Lines website or at the Delta Air Lines check-in counter on the day of flight departure.
• Upon checking in for your flight, you will be waitlisted for an upgrade; if your upgrade request is successful you will receive confirmation at the boarding gate.

Only eligible Velocity members can access complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+ seats. Travel companions are not eligible for upgrades, even when travelling as part of the same flight reservation.

 

[serfty]

FWIW, buying into C+ directly (W class) is often not that much more than available discount coach prices - and triples SC earn.

Moreover, W class is freely SDC eligible (although you have to call).

 

[johnnyfive]

FWIW, buying into C+ directly (W class) is often not that much more than available discount coach prices - and triples SC earn.

Moreover, W class is freely SDC eligible (although you have to call).

True! W class is good value for money all around. Especially when you need the extra SCs.

 

[newmarket]

FWIW, buying into C+ directly (W class) is often not that much more than available discount coach prices - and triples SC earn.

Moreover, W class is freely SDC eligible (although you have to call).

Good point. First class is often only a few more dollars.

 

[Dannyism]

Sigh. That really screws my trip around the East coast next year... I guess I'll shell out the few extra for C+ or First... I do need the SC's to keep plat.

 

[grubbidok]

Has anyone used this enhancement yet? Have seen on some forums people warning the "upgrade" may be from a C- aisle to a C+ middle. I've removed the opt-in option just in case.

Does this mean that there is now *no way* for VA WP to select a specific seat in C+ anymore - even at T-72/48 etc?

 

[CPMaverick]

Has anyone used this enhancement yet? Have seen on some forums people warning the "upgrade" may be from a C- aisle to a C+ middle. I've removed the opt-in option just in case.

Does this mean that there is now *no way* for VA WP to select a specific seat in C+ anymore - even at T-72/48 etc?

I haven't tried it with a VA number attached yet.

However with Delta Diamond/Platinum status, you opt-in for an upgrade and if there is one, you get it immediately and can choose your seat. I believe the lower status can only clear within a certain timeframe before the flight. It's fairly easy to do online under 'manage upgrades.'

The downside is that middle seats are considered the same as Comfort+. So if that is all there is available, you have to sit in the middle C+ seat. Not ideal. And there is no easy way to downgrade again. So I never automatically opt-in, only look at the seat map then manually upgrade. It is a bit messy.

 

[Kolo]

I've had three upgrades on this trip. Two were on short flights where the planes were not full and I got window seats. The third flight was 3hrs and I got a middle seat but the leg room and free drinks and snacks made it worthwhile.

 

[grubbidok]

The downside is that middle seats are considered the same as Comfort+. So if that is all there is available, you have to sit in the middle C+ seat. Not ideal. And there is no easy way to downgrade again. So I never automatically opt-in, only look at the seat map then manually upgrade. It is a bit messy.

So how do you "manually" upgrade? I've been trying to do that on leg that shows plenty of availability, but nothing gets confirmed

 

[serfty]

So how do you "manually" upgrade? I've been trying to do that on leg that shows plenty of availability, but nothing gets confirmed

Within the "window" you select a C+ seat.

Well that's how I did it a year or two ago.

My bookings these days are W or GAP fares.

 

[grubbidok]

Within the "window" you select a C+ seat.

Well that's how I did it a year or two ago.

My bookings these days are W or GAP fares.

That's what I used to do too (as recently as end of August), but from ~Sep '16 they've removed that option now as upgrades are applied "automatically"

 

[clipped_wings]

Only eligible Velocity members can access complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort+ seats. Travel companions are not eligible for upgrades, even when travelling as part of the same flight reservation.

You have GOT to be kidding me! What a totally stupid disclaimer. Who in their right mind is going to separate themselves from a travel companion (or spouse) just so they can sit in a coughpy Delta seat a few rows in front?

Delta, you just lost me forever. Or until you come to your senses. Whichever comes first.

 

[CPMaverick]

So how do you "manually" upgrade? I've been trying to do that on leg that shows plenty of availability, but nothing gets confirmed

I don't have an itinerary to look at currently. But when you view your reservation in 'My Trips' you should see text that says 'Manage Complimentary Upgrades' or 'Request Upgrade'. If you can't find this, then I would guess it isn't possible for Velocity members.

You cannot do this from the seat map.

 

[newmarket]

You have GOT to be kidding me! What a totally stupid disclaimer. Who in their right mind is going to separate themselves from a travel companion (or spouse) just so they can sit in a coughpy Delta seat a few rows in front

Delta comfort plus is a great SC earner and is very reasonably priced. You could just pay.

i would agree that Delta regular economy aren't too bad but Comfort plus is nicer.

 

[CPMaverick]

You have GOT to be kidding me! What a totally stupid disclaimer. Who in their right mind is going to separate themselves from a travel companion (or spouse) just so they can sit in a coughpy Delta seat a few rows in front?

Delta, you just lost me forever. Or until you come to your senses. Whichever comes first.

They don't think people will separate from their companions. They think they will stay in the back (and let two elites sit in those C+ seats), or they will get revenue from the second paid seat upgrade.

I don't see a problem with that. Elites should come before companions. You still get one seat for free. Isn't that better than VA? I just paid for a bulkhead seat on the 777, as a WP. I prefer Delta's system.

 

[grubbidok]

I don't have an itinerary to look at currently. But when you view your reservation in 'My Trips' you should see text that says 'Manage Complimentary Upgrades' or 'Request Upgrade'. If you can't find this, then I would guess it isn't possible for Velocity members.

You cannot do this from the seat map.

Yes, it does say "request upgrade", but the seat remains the same - even when (as in the case if the ATL-YYZ flight in a few hours) almost the entire section is free. So I assume they'll sort it out and automatically allocate at the end just before boarding.

So plenty of non-middle seats available. Absolutely no guarantee won't be stuck in a middle one though.

I'm not sure if I want to risk a beep at the gate for an upgrade, and then find out it's not a nice one.

Also - for those saying "just pay", I don't see the problem with that ordinarily if it wasn't a published benefit (and one that until at least August you could manually select). VA are starting to make a habit of overselling benefits with a whole of asterisks attached (e.g. you get upgrades, but potentially middle seat after you've selected an aisle elsewhere and no backsies; yes, you can use the EY lounge, but there is no a la carte service for you, even though half the lounge has been designed to accommodate that and the rest of it is pretty coughpy).

 

[CPMaverick]

Yes, it does say "request upgrade", but the seat remains the same -

You are supposed to click on that and go through the upgrade request process.