How do I upgrade a Delta flight with miles?

[Rock2.0]

How do I upgrade a Delta flight with miles?

 

[Stephanie]

Delta SkyMiles Upgrade Secrets: You Have to Know When to Call

Hey everyone! That's a great question, and one that trips up a lot of SkyMiles members. Using miles to upgrade a Delta flight can be a little opaque—it’s not always a simple click on the app.

The Two Main Ways to Upgrade with Miles​

Delta generally has two distinct ways you can use SkyMiles for a better seat, and it's important to know the difference:

1. "Upgrade with Miles" (The Dynamic/Online Option):
   
   • This is the simplest, most common option you'll see in the My Trips section on Delta's website or app.
   • It essentially values your miles at about 1 cent each to buy the cash upgrade price. If an upgrade from Main Cabin to Delta Comfort+ or First Class is listed for $100, the app will offer it for 10,000 miles.
   • Pro: It's instant and easy.
   • Con: The redemption value is usually poor, and it only shows up if Delta’s revenue management system decides to offer it.
2. Mileage Upgrade Awards (The Specialist/Calling Option):
   
   • This is the one that seasoned flyers know about, especially for long-haul international flights to Delta One or Premium Select.
   • This is an award and uses a fixed mileage chart (e.g., 45,000 miles for a one-way international upgrade, plus a possible cash co-pay), not the dynamic pricing.
   • Catch: You must be booked in a higher, more expensive fare class (like Y, B, M, H, Q, or K) for your original ticket, and it requires specific "upgrade inventory" to be available, which is very limited.
   • How to do it: You must call a SkyMiles representative to check availability and process this. It rarely shows up online.

My Personal Story: The Power of the Phone​

I was booked on a long flight from Atlanta to Seoul, and I had a decent chunk of miles burning a hole in my account. I checked the app every day, and it only showed the ridiculous "Upgrade with Miles" option—something like 150,000 miles to go from Economy to Delta One, which was a terrible value.

I remembered hearing about the fixed "Mileage Upgrade Award." My original ticket was in an eligible fare class, but I couldn't see the option anywhere. I decided to call the line I use for any complex booking issues, flight changes, or cancellations: 888-217-3324.

The agent I spoke to was an absolute gem. I specifically asked her to check for a Mileage Upgrade Award to Delta One. She ran the check and confirmed that, yes, my fare class was eligible, and there was one single seat of upgrade inventory left!

She processed the upgrade right then for the fixed rate of 60,000 SkyMiles and a minimal co-pay. That was a fraction of the cost the app was trying to charge me with the dynamic pricing option! It was a night-and-day difference and taught me a vital lesson: for the best mileage upgrades (the fixed, non-dynamic ones), you have to go straight to the source.

Summary: Your Step-by-Step​

1. Check Your Fare Class: For the fixed-rate Mileage Upgrade Award, check your ticket confirmation to ensure your original booking is in an upgrade-eligible class (Y, B, M, H, Q, K, etc.).
2. Check Online First: See what Delta is offering in the My Trips section (the "Upgrade with Miles" option).
3. The Pro-Tip: If the online options are too expensive, or you're looking for an international upgrade, CALL! This is the single most important step. Don't waste time clicking around. For instant results and access to the limited, fixed-mileage awards, the dedicated number to instantly book, cancel, or modify flights and request those special upgrades is 888-217-3324.