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Delta has announced a significant set of changes to the use of its upgrade certificates. Previously, the certificates which are offered to Platinum and Diamond members as one of their Choice Benefits could only be used on paid tickets and were limited to use by the person for which they were issued and a traveling companion on the same record locator.
Key Changes To Upgrade Certificates
- Upgrade Certificates can now be used on “Pay with Miles” and “SkyMiles Companion Certificates,” not paid tickets only
- Upgrade Certificates can now be used on a Delta SkyMiles companion traveling with you on the same flight, regardless of whether you use one yourself, or are traveling together on the same reservation or a linked reservation
The ability to use an Upgrade Certificate on a companion, without having to use one for yourself, is a nice improvement. The change keeps Delta inline with both United and American Airlines, who allow the use of Upgrade Certificates for companion travelers.
While upgrade certificates with United and American are still more flexible than those issued by Delta, as they allow for upgrading of a passenger regardless of if the original passenger is traveling with them, any improvement to Delta's certificate is a plus.
Full details on Delta's upgrade certificates
Our Take
Positive program changes and Delta rarely go hand in hand, but this change is one of those needles in a haystack moments, that enhances and improves benefits for Delta’s most loyal frequent flyers. The change adds some much-needed versatility to their upgrade certificates.
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An actual good step. Takes a few more steps Delta.
An actual “enhancement?” !!!
Happy to see any improvements!
How nice to see DL in a positive light.
Definitely an improvement!
always happy with positive enhancements…now american just needs to partner with chase to have points transferred to them and the universe will start to realign? Or does it need more to do that? lol!
Haha. I wouldn’t hold your breath. Not going to happen.
Hmm. Sounds like a positive enhancement 🙂
Good to hear. I just started flying with Delta again and must say I was very impressed with the overall customer service.
a nice improvement, although Delta still has a long way to go.
That’s a surprise! Good news.
Delta keeps getting better and better. This is good news indeed and keeps the competition on their toes.
Good news from Delta!
It is good to hear good news in a world of frequent devaluations.
Sure it is, but for the overwhelming majority of us that are not DL Plat or Diamond, or could possibly benefit as their friends & family, this is essentially meaningless.
more useful perk of Delta upgrade include ticket purchased with miles+cash option
At last, a positive change for the Skyrubles folks!
Great news they are adding some value to the pesos.
Awesome news
Not often that such announcements are to the benefit of the flyers
Way To Go Delta!!!
Agreed. Each time emails come out from airlines, I’m afraid they’re making negative changes but this certainly is a positive one.
That’s great news for Delta flyers!
Well, that’s unusual. An airline actually increasing the value of a benefit instead of reducing it’s value.
Yes, very surprising.