Can I Upgrade a Delta Ticket After Purchase?

Yes, you can upgrade a Delta ticket after purchase. Customers can upgrade from Main Cabin to Delta One, Delta Premium Select, First Class, or Delta Comfort, or from Delta Comfort+ to Delta One, Delta Premium Select, or First Class, at any point after the ticket is issued, up to 90 minutes before departure or until the check-in window has closed. 

Overview of Delta Upgrade Policy

If you are thinking about upgrading your Delta ticket, you should consider the following important factors first:

• All Medallion members are eligible for free Delta upgrades on domestic flights within the 50 U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska. Through exclusive choice benefits, Diamond and Platinum Medallion members can also upgrade with Global and Regional Upgrade certificates.
• Members of the Diamond and Platinum Medallions are eligible for unlimited upgrades, which begin to clear five days prior to departure.
• As per the Delta Airlines Upgrade Policy, unlimited upgrades are available to Gold Medallion members, and they begin to clear three days prior to departure.
• Members of the Silver Medallion are eligible for unlimited upgrades, which begin to clear one day prior to departure.
• Medallion members' Y-class tickets are immediately upgraded at the time of booking.
• If they are not cleared beforehand, Medallion members will be placed on a standby list and cleared for upgrades until the flight departs.
• If you have a Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card or a Premium Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, you will be promoted to the next level of the upgrade list, surpassing the elite members in the same Medallion level and fare class.
• Except for Medallion members on select regional international flights with Delta or Aeromexico, there are no free upgrades available on international flights. All Aeromexico flights within Mexico, flights between the United States and Mexico, and flights between Mexico and the Caribbean, Central America, Ecuador, and Colombia are eligible for free upgrades for Medallion members.
• According to the Delta Upgrade Policy, the airline does not offer upgrades for basic economy fares.
• Although award tickets purchased using SkyMiles and Pay with Miles are lower on the priority list than paid tickets, they are still eligible for free Medallion upgrades.

Types of Delta Upgrade Flight

Delta Airlines provides a number of upgrade options, including free upgrades for Medallion or Elite status holders, mileage upgrades, and many more. The different types of upgrades offered by the airline are as follows:

Free Upgrade

Medallion Elites are eligible for free upgrades to Delta One, Comfort Plus, or First class on the majority of domestic routes, depending on availability.

Global upgrade certificate

On Delta's domestic, international, and regional flights, Diamond Medallion Elite members can use their Global Upgrade Certificates to upgrade to business and first class.

Regional upgrade certificate

These can be used to upgrade to Delta One cabin class on regional flights within the United States and Hawaii for Platinum and Diamond Medallion Elite members.

Upgrade using Miles

On certain flights within the 50 United States, you can use your miles to upgrade when you make your reservation. On certain international flights with confirmed reservations, upgrades can be purchased with miles. 

Companion upgrades Delta

Delta offers free companion upgrades to passengers traveling with Medallion Elite members on the same reservation.

Same-Day Standby upgrades 

Depending on availability, these are offered to all passengers for a fee on the day of departure for a few chosen routes, mostly in North America, the Caribbean, and Cancun. 

Delta Upgrade Using Miles

On Delta Airlines, you can upgrade your seat by using your Delta SkyMiles upgrade points. Below is the overview of how to use miles to upgrade to first class on Delta.

Upgrade at the times of booking

The Delta Upgrade with Miles option may be available when making a reservation for a flight within the United States. Log in to your account and choose the Main Cabin flight ticket to make your reservation. The choice to upgrade their reservation for cash or miles at a rate of one cent per mile will be available to passengers. You must now use the available miles in order to upgrade with miles. By examining the pricing, which will be shown, travelers can determine the value of the offer.

Upgrade after booking

You can upgrade your current reservation by using a mileage upgrade award. The option to upgrade with miles may appear when you view your trip after logging into your account. To enhance your reservation, choose that option.

As an alternative, you can upgrade your reservation by contacting the airline's customer service if you are unable to do so online. The person will notify you and provide you with an estimate of the cost if the reservation qualifies for an upgrade. Lastly, your accumulated miles will be subtracted after the upgrade is complete. 

Conclusion 

Delta Airlines offers several options for upgrading your ticket after purchase, including free upgrades for Medallion members, the use of miles for upgrades, and special certificates for elite members. Upgrades can be requested up to 90 minutes before departure, depending on availability. While basic economy tickets are not eligible for upgrades, other fare classes, such as Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+, provide opportunities for both free and paid upgrades.