Author Topic: Delta Gold (Read 8501 times)

miles · « **on:** December 07, 2011, 09:45:57 PM »

is it worth to pay $895to get Gold Status with DL

twentie4hrs · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2011, 10:10:31 PM »

AJK · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2011, 10:15:42 PM »

Depends how often you fly, what airlines you fly and what routes you fly.

If you fly SkyTeam, it will get you into partner lounges.

If you fly a lot on SkyTeam, that lounge access can pay for itself (if you value that).

You can get free baggage and occasional free domestic upgrades.

mordys · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2011, 03:05:50 PM »

I think the most valuable benefit is free upgrades on award tickets. Depending on your routes and how often upgrades clear this can be great. For example, Delta's last minute saver award availability opens up conisderably, so check if upgrade is available and book an award saver and get a free upgrade to business, instantly.

AJK · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2011, 03:51:55 PM »

Quote from: mordys on December 08, 2011, 03:05:50 PM

I think the most valuable benefit is free upgrades on award tickets. Depending on your routes and how often upgrades clear this can be great. For example, Delta's last minute saver award availability opens up conisderably, so check if upgrade is available and book an award saver and get a free upgrade to business, instantly.

How do you do that without first buying the ticket?

YOSEF · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2011, 04:07:24 PM »

It tells you when you book: upgrade eligible/available/unavailable, so if you're Gold and book within 3 days, you'll know.

AJK · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2011, 04:16:05 PM »

Quote from: YOSEF on December 08, 2011, 04:07:24 PM

It tells you when you book: upgrade eligible/available/unavailable, so if you're Gold and book within 3 days, you'll know.

Not entirely sure what you mean.

During the booking process, but before you click submit, you can see whether it's upgrade eligible?

Even if it is, there is no guarantee you'll get the UG. Plats and Diamonds using SDC can often bump you to the back of the line, no?

YOSEF · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2011, 05:17:08 PM »

On DL, gold clears 3 days out, so when you book within three days you can tell.

AJK · « **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2011, 05:38:55 PM »

Quote from: YOSEF on December 08, 2011, 05:17:08 PM

On DL, gold clears 3 days out, so when you book within three days you can tell.

I understand GM clears three days out, but what if a PM or DM SDC's onto your flight?

Normally they'd have priority... are you saying because it clears, you're good to go?

YOSEF · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2011, 05:42:06 PM »

Once you clear, you SHOULDN'T be knocked off, but Shena (shenanigans) has struck before.

AJK · « **Reply #10 on:** December 08, 2011, 05:47:55 PM »

Quote from: YOSEF on December 08, 2011, 05:42:06 PM

Once you clear, you SHOULDN'T be knocked off, but Shena (shenanigans) has struck before.

Got it.

Where does it show if an upgrade is available/unavailable? Just tried going through the booking process and didn't see it on two routes...

twentie4hrs · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2011, 08:27:56 PM »

Quote from: AJK on December 08, 2011, 05:47:55 PM

Got it.

Where does it show if an upgrade is available/unavailable? Just tried going through the booking process and didn't see it on two routes...

if it doesn't show, you might have to call.
I went through on my recent flight, where it didn't show online, but when I called they had availability

miles · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2011, 01:39:02 PM »

will i get better availability for biz award seats to TLV

David B · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2011, 02:21:46 PM »

Quote from: AJK on December 08, 2011, 05:47:55 PM

Got it.

Where does it show if an upgrade is available/unavailable? Just tried going through the booking process and didn't see it on two routes...

AJK - If you are DL Gold, try going through the booking process for a flight that is two or three days out, with lots of seats left in First. In the reservation window, the place where it usually says "Upgrade Eligible" should say "Upgrade Available", which means that at that moment it is available to you as a Gold. IME, it will not clear until midnight that night that you book, assuming it showed "Available" at the time you booked. I suppose it's possible that a PLAT or Diamond books a ticket that same day and bumps you, but hasn't happened to me.

David B · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2011, 02:25:51 PM »

Quote from: miles on December 07, 2011, 09:45:57 PM

is it worth to pay $895to get Gold Status with DL

If you fly enough on DL on routes that are easy for a Gold to get an upgrade, then IMO definitely worth it.

LGA-FLL for example -- I've taken six or so round trips in the last year, and been upgraded 100% of the time as a Gold.

JFK-LAX -- only gotten upgraded once in one direction between a few R/Ts

If I was going to lose Gold, I would definitely pay the $895 -- but that's based on the routes I have flown, and the value of the upgrades I've gotten (not to mention the value of free checked bags, extra weight allowance, etc.) If you fly to TLV on DL, you'll get three bags of 70 pounds as a gold (per passenger on your itinerary), plus access to the lounge.

AJK · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2011, 03:01:12 PM »

Quote from: David B on December 12, 2011, 02:25:51 PM

JFK-LAX -- only gotten upgraded once in one direction between a few R/Ts

That's a very rough upgrade route, even for PMs and DMs.

Hudi · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2011, 05:58:47 PM »

In general a good tip on getting upgraded with Delta even as a silver is to always look for ways to modify your itinerary which upgrades your fare class. For e.g. if there is even a slight schedule change for one leg of your trip you are allowed to make changes. Any change you make will upgrade your fare class for the entire trip giving you priority for an upgrade. Happened to me many times, made a change, was issued a Y fare and was upgraded instantly.

AJK · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2011, 06:06:56 PM »

Quote from: Hudi on December 12, 2011, 05:58:47 PM

In general a good tip on getting upgraded with Delta even as a silver is to always look for ways to modify your itinerary which upgrades your fare class. For e.g. if there is even a slight schedule change for one leg of your trip you are allowed to make changes. Any change you make will upgrade your fare class for the entire trip giving you priority for an upgrade. Happened to me many times, made a change, was issued a Y fare and was upgraded instantly.

I've heard of these schedule changes, but I didn't know it upgrades your fare class.

How does one know if you flight has had a schedule change?

Hudi · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2011, 10:28:29 PM »

Quote from: AJK on December 12, 2011, 06:06:56 PM

I've heard of these schedule changes, but I didn't know it upgrades your fare class.

How does one know if you flight has had a schedule change?

They will usually send you an email that says "Your Delta Itinerary has Changed" you can also login to Delta.com and it will have a notice on your itinerary. Even if the change is 5 minutes you can change the itinerary online. If it's a 90 minute schedule change you can even change the date of your flight.

FYI: Schedule changes are more common on Delta connection flights then regular Delta flights.

AJK · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2011, 10:48:53 PM »

Quote from: Hudi on December 12, 2011, 10:28:29 PM

They will usually send you an email that says "Your Delta Itinerary has Changed" you can also login to Delta.com and it will have a notice on your itinerary. Even if the change is 5 minutes you can change the itinerary online. If it's a 90 minute schedule change you can even change the date of your flight.

FYI: Schedule changes are more common on Delta connection flights then regular Delta flights.

Just logged in and saw the attached.

Turns out I can change the itin., but it doesn't seem my booking code changed.