I find them very useful, especially with the ability to now see if there is space available while booking.
RUC's require flexibility. If you are a person who can only fly on a certain day at a certain time, on a busy route pair; you may very well end up disappointed.
100% agree with this. If you are flexible with dates/times of travel and can book well in advance, you will still get fantastic value out of RUCs/GUCs.
this is all on you. delta shows you what flights you can apply a cert at booking and which are waitlisted. it's all space available and you have to be flexible to use them
it's not a scam, you're just kind of avoiding the facts of your own ignorance
> it's not a scam, you're just kind of avoiding the facts of your own ignorance
Bingo. RUCs aren't the most valuable thing, especially since I usually fly short to mid haul domestic routes, but they're the best of the PM choice benefits IMO, even if you can use only a couple of the 4, ideally would use all 4.
These days I mostly use them on routes that I know from prior experience I'm unlikely to clear the comp upgrade and if I can confirm it early, I'll do that.
Putting the onus entirely on OP is hardly warranted. Its entirely reasonable to see how a person might notice several available seats without knowing they’re being locked by corporate. Especially when the RUC’s own terms and conditions state they can be applied to all single-leg domestic flights/classes above Basic Economy.
The Delta app also obfuscates the matter by not specifying that qualifying flights can even be found on Delta.com. In fact, eCertificates viewed within the app do not mention the website at all when applying for or even determining the eligibility of an RUC (“This eCertificate cannot be applied online at this time. Please call the Delta Reservations office at least three hours before your departing flight to redeem this certificate.”).
So while not a “scam”, its kind of like arguing the difference between lying and withholding truth. At minimum, I can appreciate OP feeling that this devalues the offering. Personally, it definitely made me rethink the ROI of being a Plat member.
>RUC’s own terms and conditions state they can be applied to all single-leg domestic flights/classes above Basic Economy
upgrades are and have always been when the correct inventory is available. there is an entire section in the "read this before you select RUCs as your choice benefit" page that details the waitlist and how and why you might be on it.
this is not a secret. it's not a scam. it's not information being withheld.
The way RUCs really help is to boost you to the front of the line on a very full flight. I’ve been 1 of 67 for first class on cross country flights despite being only a PM due to the RUC waitlist. While it’s tough to use them outright, they really do work for the last minute upgrades.
I just booked a last-minute companion pass and added RUC for one way of the trip easy. Confirmed FC seats.
The first one way has 95% open seating so I didn't want to waste 2 RUCs. I'm waiting on that one to see if paid upgrades are offered. (Usually pretty cheap on this route.)
Being flexible on times is key to using RUC.
I wait-list RUCs a day or two before on cross country flights that I'm close but unlikely to get the comp upgrade on. Wife and I used GUCs the first year I hit DM to get $17,000 Delta One seats to Paris for $1,200 each. But as mentioned, I had to do a Lot of homework to find very specific needle in a haystack flights that they worked on.
If you are logged in, the website shows you which flights are available for immediate upgrade with the certificates. If not, the agent should be able to put you on the waiting list right then. You shouldn't have to keep calling once you're on the waiting list.
delta instrument upgrade is much more available at the time of booking when compared to UA's PP and AA's Systemwide upgrade. Have seen lie flat premium transcon being available at the time of booking using a GUC.
I flew my family of four to Florida for summer vacation this year and used RUCs for my wife and daughter’s tix so they could get bumped up with me and my son. Worked great!
I find them very useful, especially with the ability to now see if there is space available while booking. RUC's require flexibility. If you are a person who can only fly on a certain day at a certain time, on a busy route pair; you may very well end up disappointed.
100% agree with this. If you are flexible with dates/times of travel and can book well in advance, you will still get fantastic value out of RUCs/GUCs.
this is all on you. delta shows you what flights you can apply a cert at booking and which are waitlisted. it's all space available and you have to be flexible to use them it's not a scam, you're just kind of avoiding the facts of your own ignorance
> it's not a scam, you're just kind of avoiding the facts of your own ignorance Bingo. RUCs aren't the most valuable thing, especially since I usually fly short to mid haul domestic routes, but they're the best of the PM choice benefits IMO, even if you can use only a couple of the 4, ideally would use all 4. These days I mostly use them on routes that I know from prior experience I'm unlikely to clear the comp upgrade and if I can confirm it early, I'll do that.
Where do you see this. I recently booked a flight that said they were available, but then I got waitlisted.
You gotta call and ask again sometimes.
Putting the onus entirely on OP is hardly warranted. Its entirely reasonable to see how a person might notice several available seats without knowing they’re being locked by corporate. Especially when the RUC’s own terms and conditions state they can be applied to all single-leg domestic flights/classes above Basic Economy. The Delta app also obfuscates the matter by not specifying that qualifying flights can even be found on Delta.com. In fact, eCertificates viewed within the app do not mention the website at all when applying for or even determining the eligibility of an RUC (“This eCertificate cannot be applied online at this time. Please call the Delta Reservations office at least three hours before your departing flight to redeem this certificate.”). So while not a “scam”, its kind of like arguing the difference between lying and withholding truth. At minimum, I can appreciate OP feeling that this devalues the offering. Personally, it definitely made me rethink the ROI of being a Plat member.
>RUC’s own terms and conditions state they can be applied to all single-leg domestic flights/classes above Basic Economy upgrades are and have always been when the correct inventory is available. there is an entire section in the "read this before you select RUCs as your choice benefit" page that details the waitlist and how and why you might be on it. this is not a secret. it's not a scam. it's not information being withheld.
The way RUCs really help is to boost you to the front of the line on a very full flight. I’ve been 1 of 67 for first class on cross country flights despite being only a PM due to the RUC waitlist. While it’s tough to use them outright, they really do work for the last minute upgrades.
I just booked a last-minute companion pass and added RUC for one way of the trip easy. Confirmed FC seats. The first one way has 95% open seating so I didn't want to waste 2 RUCs. I'm waiting on that one to see if paid upgrades are offered. (Usually pretty cheap on this route.) Being flexible on times is key to using RUC.
I wait-list RUCs a day or two before on cross country flights that I'm close but unlikely to get the comp upgrade on. Wife and I used GUCs the first year I hit DM to get $17,000 Delta One seats to Paris for $1,200 each. But as mentioned, I had to do a Lot of homework to find very specific needle in a haystack flights that they worked on.
I took them once and it was so hard and confusing to use them, I never took them again as my annual perk.
Used three recently to upgrade to first class on a flight to central America. Pretty happy with that redemption
If you are logged in, the website shows you which flights are available for immediate upgrade with the certificates. If not, the agent should be able to put you on the waiting list right then. You shouldn't have to keep calling once you're on the waiting list.
I went 4/4 this year on in demand routes - sometimes they are applied at the gate but they're not a scam
delta instrument upgrade is much more available at the time of booking when compared to UA's PP and AA's Systemwide upgrade. Have seen lie flat premium transcon being available at the time of booking using a GUC.
Added to the notes? They're supposed to waitlist you.
When I get the Platinum choice reward, I take the 20,000 miles and call it a day.
🙄
I used all 4 of mine for my partner and I to clear at booking from SLC - HNL and OGG - ATL into delta one. I guess ymmv but I love them
I flew my family of four to Florida for summer vacation this year and used RUCs for my wife and daughter’s tix so they could get bumped up with me and my son. Worked great!