Buying a premium airline class ticket outright is pretty expensive, especially on Delta Airlines.
Business and First class tickets are often priced at 2 – 5 times higher than economy rates. You can estimate a full-fare premium ticket to be between $1,500 – $5,000 each way, depending on where and when you are flying.
That’s why upgrades are so important, as they give you a more fair fare (sometimes even for free if you participate in the airline’s loyalty programs).
Delta Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, and most profitable, so I think they know what they are doing when it comes to pricing. The airline is one of the major US carriers, and also has one of the better food offerings, so it’s not a secret why travelers enjoy their premium cabins.
If you are booked in an economy ticket on Delta Airlines we will break down how you can go about upgrading.
Delta Airlines has one of the leading business class products out of US carriers. Whether you are flying to London, Paris, Rome, or even Hawaii, Delta is usually one of the best options.
Luckily you don’t need to shell out the full fare ticket for a premium seat as there are many ways to upgrade into the cabin for a bit cheaper.
Once you have your reservation ticketed, you can apply for an upgrade in a few ways. The easiest will be online, but don’t rule out calling or checking once you arrive at the airport.
There is no set price on upgrading to business class and for Delta Airlines it also won’t come cheap.
Depending on your route, days till departure, fair class, available seats, and more will all factor into the price Delta is going to charge or chances of getting a complimentary upgrade.
While Delta does not offer a bid to upgrade program like other airlines, here are the various ways you can go about upgrading:
Delta Airlines makes it easy to apply for an upgrade on their website and mobile app. While the option usually presents its self during booking, you can also manage it on your trip page.
Here are the various ways and when you can go about scheduling an upgrade.
Remember, the availability of Business Class upgrades can vary based on the flight, the time of booking, and your SkyMiles membership level. It’s always a good idea to check the upgrade availability frequently as your flight date approaches, as situations can change, and spots may open up.
If Delta does not show the available seats, try a points and miles tool that can often obtain a seat map.
When you are presented a fee to update, it could be quite high. This is because Delta operates on a revenue-based system, hoping to maximize how much travelers are willing to pay. If this happens to you, don’t give up. Because airline price flights dynamically, it may get cheaper over time (or more expensive).
You may have more luck when calling he Delta line and can get an immediate answer of the availability. The call center is usually pretty reliable if you have status but if there is a major weather event you might hit delays.
If you want to upgrade over the phone then you should follow these steps.
Remember, upgrading by phone might involve a long wait time, especially during peak hours. Calling during off-peak hours can often result in shorter wait times.
We’ve also noticed no difference in price for upgrades when calling as the Delta agents seem to have consistent pricing. I would say to chose this route only if you prefer to talk to someone directly and look at additional options rather than trying to get it for cheaper.
Lastly, don’t count out upgrading at the last minute during airport checking. When you arrive you can always ask check in agent if there are seats avaialble and how much it is to upgrade.
Don’t forget to be polite to your check-in agent, as they will be more inclined to help you score the better seat.
Here’s how you can approach upgrading your Delta Airlines ticket at the airport:
Upgrading at the airport is subject to availability and is often more unpredictable than securing an upgrade in advance. It’s also worth noting that during peak travel times or on popular routes, the availability of upgrades may be limited.
There are two ways you can pay for an upgrade, either with cash or with miles. Both options are good, especially if you have miles to spare. Here is how you can go about it and how much you can expect to pay.
Upgrading to Business Class with cash can vary significantly based on several factors. We’ve seen Delta often make it the fair difference of anywhere from $300 – $800 for domestic flights and $1,000 – $3,000 for international flights. This is much higher than Delta’s Skyteam partner like Air France that offers business upgrades on international for $400 – $800.
There is no way to predict how much they charge but here are a few things to know:
If you want to get a sense of pricing you can also check what the cabin you desire is currently priced at. It will most likely be equivalent or less than that amount but it gives you a good baseline before booking.
Using SkyMiles to upgrade to Business Class is a popular option for Delta’s frequent flyers. While Skymiles don’t offer the best redemptions compared to say Star Alliance partners or United, you can still find some deals and put them to use to upgrade.
You can expect Skymiles amount to align with the cash option, since we’ve seen rates anywhere from 30,000 Skymiles all the way to 200,000 Skymiles to upgrade. Here is what you should know:
In both cash and miles upgrades, it’s beneficial to regularly check the Delta website or contact customer service for current upgrade rates, as they can change based on availability and other factors.
Given the usually high cost of upgrading, you may be asking is it worth it? The answer, it depends.
Delta Business Class on long haul international flights is a great experience. The airline has all new suites that come with private doors, good food, and great service.
You will definitely have a good experience in Delta Business Class as its one of the most comfortable way to fly. We’ve experienced it many times from Paris to New York on an A330 and from Los Angeles to New York on a 767.
Note, not all Delta planes are created equal as they still run a lot of older business class products on many routes. Be sure to check the plane type before you upgrade to see what the experience will be like.
If you are able to get their new business class on planes like the A330 and its an overnight flight, it may be well worth the upgrade.
Navigating the options for upgrading to Business Class on Delta Airlines isn’t always about finding an ultra cheap option but there are still good deals to be found. If it comes down to booking a business class outright vs upgrading for less, its always better to save a few dollars.
Delta is the most profitable airline for a reason – their premium seats are in demand for travelers willing to pay full price.
When you are trying to upgrade from a lower booking you need to keep in mind that it is never guaranteed. A flight may be full, upgrade price may be crazy, or it may not even be eligible from your fare booking class. You should always be prepared to remain in your booked cabin if it doesn’t end up working out.
Luckily Delta does provide a few different ways to upgrade and depending on your trip it can certainly be worth it.