DL priority seating (Economy Comfort) for VA Elites

[drewbles]

I made a few DL bookings a few months ago, and noted that my VA Platinum number showed up as 'Diamond Medallion' (I think it was, perhaps it was Platinum Medallion though) and I was able to select comfort seats or exit rows.

Due to a schedule change, I have had to re-route my bookings and now don't seem to see any mention (just says V Australia #xx_xx_xx_ Velocity). Does anyone know if it was ever an actual benefit or if this was possibly just a lucky mistake that I can't now replicate (I have been allocated no seats on one segment, and the only seats left are a few up the front, a few exit seats, and all the middles). I'm hoping I can get a decent seat back without needing to try my luck at the airport. Anyone had any experience with this?

 

[bullerdude]

I made a few DL bookings a few months ago, and noted that my VA Platinum number showed up as 'Diamond Medallion' (I think it was, perhaps it was Platinum Medallion though) and I was able to select comfort seats or exit rows.

Due to a schedule change, I have had to re-route my bookings and now don't seem to see any mention (just says V Australia #xx_xx_xx_ Velocity). Does anyone know if it was ever an actual benefit or if this was possibly just a lucky mistake that I can't now replicate (I have been allocated no seats on one segment, and the only seats left are a few up the front, a few exit seats, and all the middles). I'm hoping I can get a decent seat back without needing to try my luck at the airport. Anyone had any experience with this?

VA Platinums are considered 'Platinum Medallion' on Delta bookings and this should be shown on the booking. Sometimes, the status doesn't stick to the booking which is what seems to have occurred here.

Perhaps you could try removing and re-adding you VA number to see if the system picks-up your status again.

 

[drewbles]

Ah interesting. Yup. re-added and can see status now, but it's asking me to pay $30 for exit row or other 'preferred' seats.

I dislike DL

 

[bullerdude]

Oh I just remembered, technically VA Plat does not get priority seating with Delta, despite getting listed as 'platinum medallion' on booking.

Note to VFF - This NEEDS to be changed so that elites can get all the benefits on partner airlines.

 

[Ausbt]

Oh please let this be true, I've got a LAX-JFK leg coming up booked as a Flexi with VA flying Y with DL. Would you recommend calling Delta direct or trying to navigate their website with the PNR?

I'm not super-hopeful: recently I was advised of a flight change on that booking getting me into JFK 3 hours later than originally booked. I lent on VA heavily about it, and they couldn't not assist me at all, advising "we have no ability to take up your cause with DL ourselves".

 

[serfty]

Oh please let this be true, I've got a LAX-JFK leg coming up booked as a Flexi with VA flying Y with DL. Would you recommend calling Delta direct or trying to navigate their website with the PNR? ...

My experience on the weekend indicates it's no longer the case, if it ever was.

Even on check-in at the kiosks in the airport I would have needed to swipe a CC to get those seats.

FWIW, due to a soggy LGA I causing a flight delay of over an hour I was able to reroute for free. Doing this online, on one of the new flights, there were only the premium (green/Blue coloured) seats left and it still tried to ping me a fee. I chose not to select a seat and was allocated one of the "preferred" seats anyway (at no cost) on completion.

 

[Deewhy]

Oh please let this be true, I've got a LAX-JFK leg coming up booked as a Flexi with VA flying Y with DL. Would you recommend calling Delta direct or trying to navigate their website with the PNR?

I'm not super-hopeful: recently I was advised of a flight change on that booking getting me into JFK 3 hours later than originally booked. I lent on VA heavily about it, and they couldn't not assist me at all, advising "we have no ability to take up your cause with DL ourselves".

Seating aside, shouldn't you be able to contact them and request a change at no cost? From my experience, the notice of change email says something like if the change is more than 2? Hrs difference, then you can request another change to something that suits.

 

[drewbles]

So spoke to DL, they confirmed there is *no* benefit for VA elites with regards to seating (Despite showing up as 'Platinum Medallion' on your PNR on the delta.com site).

I asked if Silver KLM Flying Blue was eligible, and was told 'yes sir'. I promptly removed my VA number, inserted my Silver KLM FlyingBlue number, and voila. Seats opened up. Selected seats, removed KLM number, re-inserted VA number and the seats have stuck.

IMHO that's poor form, but not to be unexpected as VA are not a part of the Elite/Elite Plus ScaryTeam system.

Hopefully they work on that

 

[Ausbt]

That's disappointing for us mere VA-plats who are non-KLM Blue. Drewbles thanks for clarifying it.