AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Delta Airlines has quietly added partner airline, Virgin Atlantic, to its Global Upgrades program. Diamond Medallion Global Upgrade Certificates can now be applied to Delta-marketed, Virgin Atlantic-operated flights for upgrades to Upper Class. Delta-marketed flights mean that even though it is a flight operated by Virgin Atlantic (the side of the plane says Virgin Atlantic), it has a Delta flight number.
How Many Global Upgrade Certificates Can Diamond Medallion Members Receive?
Global Upgrades are available as part of Choice Benefits for Delta Diamond Medallion members.
Diamond Medallion members may choose either four (4) Global Upgrades or eight (8) Regional Upgrades or two (2) Global Upgrades and four (4) Regional Upgrades (2017 Medallion year only).
Diamond Medallion members can receive up to four Global Upgrade Certificates per year depending on the Choice Benefits package selected.
Redeeming Delta Global Upgrade Certificates On Virgin Atlantic
While previously redeemable on Delta and some Air France/KLM flights, Global Upgrades can now be used on Delta's transatlantic partner Virgin Atlantic.
Per Delta's website:
- Valid on Delta-marketed, Virgin Atlantic-operated flights for use globally on published Economy Cabin fares booked in W, Y, B, M, S, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V Class to Upper Class.
- Global Upgrades on Virgin Atlantic flights must be confirmed 24 hours prior to departure.
- Global Upgrade Certificates may not be used to waitlist for a Virgin Atlantic-operated flight.
The Upgrade Certificate will upgrade you from economy class to Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, but only on Virgin flights that are marketed by Delta.
To apply an Upgrade Certificate, contact the phone number on the back of your Diamond Medallion member card.
Final Thoughts
Delta has been making slow but steady improvements to this part of the SkyMiles program. Towards the end of 2013, they lifted fare restrictions on systemwide upgrades and then two months ago, made changes to the Global Upgrades program allowing certificates to be applied to discounted fares on KLM.
Given changes in the earning power of frequent flyers on legacy carriers, it's fantastic to see Delta expanding this part of the Skymiles program, and providing Diamond Medallion members additional ways to redeem Global Upgrade Certificates.
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.