why does delta have no seat assignment

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The Delta Seat Selection Guide

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Table of Contents

How Delta seat selection works

Delta seat selection fee, ticket types and seat selection rules, delta air lines seats for elite members, delta plane seating chart, how to pick seats on delta, final thoughts on selecting a seat on delta air lines.

Booking a Delta Air Lines flight and wondering about Delta’s seat selection? It’s no wonder — with differing benefits for elite members and strict restrictions on basic economy tickets, figuring out how and when to choose your Delta seat can quickly become overwhelming.

Here's a look at Delta seat assignments, how Delta Air Lines’ seating system works and the costs of choosing a seat.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards

Delta operates a variety of cabin classes on its aircraft, including economy, Premium Select, first class and Delta One seats.

Like most airlines, Delta will allow you to select your seat when booking, though the cost to do so and any upcharges will vary depending on the flight you’re taking. Those flying with families and wondering “does Delta seat families together?” are in luck. Delta does its best to seat families together, even after check-in.

» Learn more: Delta vs. United, which is best for you?

According to an analysis of airline fees by NerdWallet, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines charge the least for seat selection, while budget airlines Frontier and Spirit charge the most.

Delta sits in the middle, charging an average of $15-plus for each flight that you'd like to select a seat for. The cost will vary depending on the type of ticket you book with the airline — which we'll discuss next.

» Learn more: How to navigate costly airline seat selection fees

How much is seat selection on Delta Air Lines? That will depend on the ticket type you’re purchasing, be it basic economy, main cabin, Premium Select (premium economy), first class or Delta One.

Basic economy

Basic economy tickets have the most restrictions of any Delta ticket, and this extends to seat selection. Those who book basic economy tickets won't be able to select seats; instead, a seat will be randomly assigned to each passenger after check-in. This includes families and groups who are traveling together — expect to be split up when booking a basic economy ticket.

If you reserve a basic economy ticket, it’s possible to purchase a specific seat starting seven days before departure. Pricing for this varies by trip and is priced by segment.

Main cabin seating, also known as regular economy, includes complimentary seat selection. As a main cabin customer, you also have the option to purchase an upgrade to preferred or Delta Comfort Plus seats while remaining an economy class passenger.

You can also book upgraded economy tickets with additional seat selection perks:

Main Cabin Preferred: Main Cabin Preferred seats are functionally the same as regular main cabin seats. The difference lies in the seat location; Main Cabin Preferred seats are typically window and aisle seats nearer to the front of the plane, plus exit rows. These are the least expensive upgrades from standard economy seating.

Comfort Plus: When available, a Delta Comfort Plus ticket can be purchased directly while booking and the price will include seat selection. The cost to upgrade is higher than for a preferred seat in main cabin. Comfort Plus features more legroom than main cabin and offers passengers dedicated overhead bins. In addition, Comfort Plus guests will receive complimentary beer and wine on all domestic and short-haul international flights.

Main cabin passengers can also choose to upgrade to a Comfort Plus seat either before or after purchasing their ticket.

Premium Select

Premium Select is Delta’s version of premium economy, with larger seats and better recline, two free checked bags, earlier boarding and premium extras. Those who book Premium Select can choose any seat within the cabin for no additional fee.

Delta One and first class

Both first class and Delta One ticket holders can choose any seat within their cabin for free. These spacious seats come with two free checked bags, premium snacks and meals, priority boarding, and a dedicated flight attendant.

GET MORE MILES, MORE BENEFITS WITH A DELTA CARD

Regardless of where you sit once you're on the plane, a Delta-branded credit card can make your trip go a little smoother. Most include free checked bags and priority boarding, and some really stack up the perks. Among options:

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$0 intro for the first year, then $150 .

• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.

• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on hotel purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.

• 1 mile per $1 on other eligible purchases.

• No foreign transaction fees.

• First checked bag free.

• Priority boarding.

• Companion certificate (main cabin).

• Airport lounge access.

• Companion certificate ((first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin).

• Credit for application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card , see this page .

Those who have joined the Delta SkyMiles program and earned Medallion elite status will receive seating benefits on their flights.

Main Cabin Preferred

When booking main cabin tickets, all four tiers of elite status members can select main cabin preferred seats for no additional charge.

» Learn more: The NerdWallet guide to earning Delta SkyMiles

Comfort Plus

Platinum and Diamond level elite members (the two highest tiers) can choose Comfort Plus seats shortly after ticketing for free. Mid-tier Gold members, meanwhile, will be able to select these seats starting 72 hours prior to departure, and low-level Silver members can pick from available Comfort Plus seats starting 24 hours before departure.

Delta elite members will also receive upgrades on select first class and Delta One flights depending on their elite status.

You can find Delta Air Lines seating without needing to book a flight. To do so, you’ll want to first search for your preferred route on Delta’s website. On the search results page, you’ll find a variety of flights from which to choose.

Each flight presents a seat map, which you can preview by selecting "Seats."

Once you’ve picked "Seats," you’ll be taken to a new page that shows a live preview of your aircraft’s seats.

You’ll also be able to view the seat map during the booking process. Once you’ve selected your flight, you’ll be taken to another page prompting you to pick a seat.

How do I choose my seat on Delta?

During booking

The process for reserving a Delta seat is fairly simple. As we mentioned above, you’ll be able to pick seats when booking your flights on the website; Delta will automatically prompt you to do so before checkout.

You may not be able to select seats on codeshare flights, which are operated by Delta’s partners . In this case, you’ll want to go directly to the other airlines’ webpage to manage your seat selection.

After booking

If you need to choose or alter your seat after you’ve booked your flight, go to "My Trips" on the Delta homepage.

If you’re logged in already, you’ll be able to view all the trips you have booked with Delta. You’ll find seat selection options by going down to the "Passenger Information" section.

» Learn more: 6 ways to save on Delta flights

Delta has a variety of ticketing options available for every type of passenger. This includes the highly restrictive basic economy class ticket as well as main cabin tickets for those who prefer certainty with their seats.

Upgrading to Main Cabin Preferred and Comfort Plus seats offers better benefits for those in economy. Loyal members of Delta’s SkyMiles program can also expect to receive complimentary access to these seats and upgrades to higher classes depending on their level of status.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

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Low Fare with Restrictions

Save with Basic Economy, but please remember refunds and upgrades are not available at any time. Basic Economy is best for those traveling by themselves with firm travel plans. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the restrictions so you know if Basic Economy is right for you.

Keep in Mind, Basic Economy is Just the Basics

Basic Economy provides a value for solo travelers and light packers who don't anticipate changes to their travel plans, since trip flexibility is limited.

With Basic Economy, you'll enjoy:

• A Main Cabin seat
• Delta’s signature service
• Complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages like Starbucks® coffee, tea, juice, sodas or water
• Connect to Delta Wi-Fi to book, change, or check the status of your flight on delta.com
• Complimentary access to in-flight messaging as well as hours of movies, shows and more on Delta Studio®

With Basic Economy, you’ll experience:

• No seat(s) assigned until after check-in, not together 
• No changes allowed for flights originating in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean*
• Cancelable for partial eCredit (cancellation charge applies)**
• Last to board & not eligible for upgrades 
• No miles earned; no credit toward SkyMiles Medallion Status †
• No entry into a Delta Sky Club is permitted, regardless of access method

Know the Details on Basic Economy

Other limitations, seat assignment ††.

*Ticket changes not allowed after the Risk-Free Cancellation period for flights originating in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean.

**For tickets issued for travel originating in Korea, tickets will be refunded to original form of payment after deducting the cancellation fee. For tickets issued for travel originating in  Europe , no change or cancel is permitted for tickets issued on or after March 21, 2024 (€200 for tickets issued prior to that date, and €150 for tickets issued on or after February 23, 2023). For tickets issued for travel originating in the  United Kingdom , the cancellation fee and change fee is £200 for tickets issued on or after February 23, 2023 (£150 for tickets issued prior to that date). For tickets issued for travel originating in  Africa ,  the Middle East and India , no change or cancel is permitted for tickets issued on or after March 21, 2024 ($200 for tickets issued prior to that date, and $180 for tickets issued on or after February 23, 2023). Excludes tickets issued for travel originating from Israel, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal issued on or after March 21, 2024 where the change or cancel fee is $200. For tickets issued for travel originating in Mexico where the destination is Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, India or Africa (excluding travel to Israel, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal where no change or cancel is permitted), the cancellation fee is $199 for tickets issued on or after March 21, 2024 (no change or cancel allowed for tickets issued prior to that date). Excludes tickets issued for travel originating in Mexico for travel to North America, South America, the Caribbean, and the Asia Pacific region, which cannot be canceled or changed. Check your ticket along with the  Baggage & Travel Fees  page to view any fees that apply to Basic Economy tickets. 

†Not eligible for MQD earn, paid or complimentary access or upgrades to premium seats, including to Delta Comfort+® or Preferred Seats; and no paid access to Priority Boarding.

†† Seat assignments can be purchased in advance for a fee or will be assigned for free at the airport after check in or at the gate. At this time, seat assignments can be purchased via Reservations, Airport Customer Service, Delta.com and the FlyDelta App.

The seat selection fee is per seat, per flight segment and is subject to availability. At this time, seat assignment purchase is only available for wholly domestic flights. Aircraft and seat features differ according to flight type/destination/aircraft. Please note that any fees paid for a seat assignment are non-refundable, non-transferable, and are limited to “select seats” – preferred seats cannot be purchased.

With the Basic Economy fare, you are not guaranteed a seat next to traveling companions, including family members or groups. We reserve the right to assign or reassign a Basic Economy seat at any time, even after boarding the aircraft, for operational, safety or security reasons. The final decision resides with the ground staff and operating crew on the day of the flight. Refunds will be issued to any reassigned customer if the customer is not moved to a comparable or better seat and no MQDs will be awarded.

You will not be able to change or refund your ticket after the Risk-Free Cancellation period. Passengers are not eligible for earning miles in the SkyMiles® Program, earning credit towards Medallion Status; paid or complimentary access or upgrades to premium seats or products from Basic Economy, including to Delta Comfort+ or Preferred Seats; and no paid access to Priority Boarding. Exceptions may apply when flying Light or Economy Light on non-Delta operated flights. Miles and MQDs will not be awarded for seat fees.

We have answers. Explore our frequently asked questions and learn more about seats.

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Delta Check-in

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How can I check in for my Delta Air Lines (DL) flight?

You may check-in for your Delta Air Lines (DL) flight with the following options:

• Online check-in (Web check-in)
• Mobile check-in
• Curbside check-in at the airport
• Self-service kiosk check-in at the airport
• Ticket counter check-in at the airport

Does Delta Air Lines (DL) have online web check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your Delta Air Lines (DL) flight online starting 24 hours and ending 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) to receive a mobile boarding pass on your mobile device or a printable boarding pass. You may use this option if:

• you have an electronic ticket and the first flight is on Delta Air Lines (DL)
• you may access your reservation with your confirmation code, e-ticket number, or frequent flyer account
• you are not a special needs passenger (for example an unaccompanied minor or traveling with a pet)

Can I check bags with the Delta Air Lines (DL) online web check-in? : Yes, you may check bags but you must drop them at the airport baggage drop before the check-in deadline for your flight.

Can I pay bag fees with the Delta Air Lines (DL) online web check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat with the Delta Air Lines (DL) online web check-in? : Yes

Does Delta Air Lines (DL) offer mobile check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your Delta Air Lines (DL) flight with your mobile device starting 24 hours and ending 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) to receive a mobile boarding pass on your mobile device. You may use this option if:

• you are not a special needs passenger (for example, an unaccompanied minor or traveling with a pet)
• you are departing from an airport which accepts mobile boarding passes (if not, then you may check-in and print a boarding pass at the self-service kiosk or ticket counter).
• you are not traveling with an infant (a printed boarding pass is required)

Does Delta Air Lines (DL) offer curbside check-in? (US Carriers only)

Yes, you may check-in for your Delta Air Lines (DL) flight curbside at most U S airport locations from 30 minutes to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination). You will need your photo ID and also your flight reservation code, flight number destination, or electronic ticket number to check-in. Please check Delta Air Lines (DL) website for an exact list of participating airports.

Does Delta Air Lines (DL) offer self-service kiosk check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your Delta Air Lines (DL) flight at the airport self-service kiosk from 30 minutes to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time and receive a printed boarding pass.

Can I check bags with the Delta Air Lines (DL) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Can I pay bag fees with the Delta Air Lines (DL) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat with the Delta Air Lines (DL) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Does Delta Air Lines (DL) offer ticket counter check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your Delta Air Lines (DL) flight at the airport ticket counter from 30 minutes to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time and receive a printed boarding pass.

Can I check bags at the Delta Air Lines (DL) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Can I pay bag fees at the Delta Air Lines (DL) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat at the Delta Air Lines (DL) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Does Delta Air Lines (DL) charge a fee for a seat assignment?

Delta Air Lines (DL) does not charge a fee for selecting a standard seat assignment.

When do I need to check-in for my Delta Air Lines (DL) flight?

The minimum time to check-in for an Delta Air Lines (DL) flight is:

• 30 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights
• 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US

When do I need to arrive at the airport for my Delta Air Lines (DL) flight?

Suggested arrival time:

• 2 hours before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights
• 3 hours before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US

Minimum required check-in time with carry-on baggage:

Minimum required check-in time with checked baggage:

When do I need to be at the boarding gate?

Boarding closes at the following times for Delta Air Lines (DL) flights:

• 15 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights
• 30 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US

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Yes, Airlines Do Have the Right to Change Your Seat Without Warning

Here's what to do when it happens.

When right-wing pundit Ann Coulter resorted to complaining on Twitter about having her seat moved on a 2017 Delta flight, she gave the world a golden example of how not to behave.

Perhaps she wasn’t fully aware of her rights — or the airline’s — but the tweetstorm that unfolded reminds us why it’s always important to know your rights as a passenger.

When you purchase an airline seat, you are required to acknowledge that you agree to the contract of carriage, a legally binding agreement between you and the airline, usually by checking a box next to the phrase “I agree to the terms and conditions of the contract of carriage” or some variation thereof.

Delta’s contract of carriage states : “Delta may substitute alternate Carriers or aircraft, change its schedules, delay or cancel flights, change seat assignments, and alter or omit stopping places shown on the ticket as required by its operations in Delta’s sole discretion.”

When you buy a plane ticket, the airline is only obligated to get you from point A to point B. Everything else that comes with it (reserved seating, overhead bin space, baggage allowance, and food and beverage service) is at the discretion of the airline. Because you’re not buying an actual seat — you’re purchasing transportation.

What to Do When an Airline Moves Your Seat

When you’re asked by a flight attendant or gate agent to change seats, it’s usually to help families sit together, allow caregivers to sit next to patients, or accommodate an air marshal or other airline employee. They also might ask you to move for safety reasons or to help redistribute the weight balance of the aircraft, especially on smaller planes.

If it happens to you, respond politely and graciously. Over the years, I’ve been asked countless times to move seats and have done so without complaining. Nearly every time, the flight attendant thanked me for my willingness to be flexible with free bottles of wine or a snack.

Your Boarding Pass Is Your Assigned Seat

If a gate agent comes onboard and hands you a new boarding pass, that is the seat you are required to sit in, regardless of how much you paid for your ticket or the class of service you purchased. The gate agent has supreme power of seating assignments for every flight and dictates who sits where. If they ask you to move, do it.

You May Be Entitled to a Refund

If you’re downgraded from a seat with extra legroom to a regular economy seat, the airline will reimburse you the difference. In Coulter’s case, Delta refunded her the $30 extra fee she paid for the Delta Comfort+ seat that was given to another passenger.

The contract of carriage for American Airlines , as another example, states that you can request a refund for a variety of reasons , including getting re-booked on a flight that causes you to miss a connection, or if you get moved from a preferred seat to a non-preferred seat or a preferred aisle/window seat to a preferred middle seat. Those “preferred” seats refer to the coveted seats near the front of the economy cabin or in emergency exit rows that typically cost extra.

If your seat gets moved and you feel you are owed a refund, contact the airline’s customer service department to request one.

Related Articles

Secure a better seat: The ultimate guide to getting upgraded on Delta flights

D elta Air Lines' Medallion elite status has plenty of perks, including same-day confirmed changes, international lounge access and Choice Benefits . Still, one perk sits above all others when it comes to chasing status: the allure of a free seat upgrade.

There's nothing quite as magical as paying for one class of service and being upgraded into a superior cabin, be it premium economy, business class or first class. However, the upgrade process remains shrouded in mystery. For example, who is eligible for upgrades? When do these upgrades process?

From complimentary elite upgrades, SkyMiles upgrades and Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates to understanding the upgrade priority process, we're here to demystify it all. So, buckle up and keep reading to find out how you can snag a seat in the front of the Delta plane.

Complimentary Delta upgrades

All Delta Medallion elite members are eligible for day-of-departure unlimited complimentary upgrades to the Delta One experience on flights within the U.S., including flights to Hawaii.

While it pays to understand the intricacies below, it's worth mentioning that Delta is systematically selling more first-class tickets. Its revenue maximization models are pricing first-class tickets to encourage more people to buy them outright. Therefore, you may notice this when you view a Delta reservation and are offered a buy-up upgrade.

Unfortunately, the more first-class tickets Delta sells, the fewer are available for complimentary upgrades.

Below are the Delta products that are eligible for complimentary upgrades, including paid tickets, SkyMiles award tickets, Pay with Miles tickets and SkyMiles Companion Certificates:

• Delta Comfort+ (typically offered on Delta-operated flights and select international flights)
• First class (typically offered on Delta-operated domestic flights and flights to nearby destinations like the Caribbean and Central America)
• Delta One (typically offered on long-haul international flights and certain cross-country domestic flights)

Delta's top-tier Medallions (Diamond) get preference over lower-tier Medallions, and timing is everything. Diamond and Platinum Medallion members can immediately clear from Main Cabin into Comfort+ upon booking if space is available. At the same time, Gold members must wait until 72 hours before departure to clear into Comfort+, and Silver members must wait until 24 hours before departure.

For flights with heavy passenger loads — from New York to San Francisco, for example — the Comfort+ cabin is often full when Gold and Silver Medallions are eligible to clear. However, last-minute upgrades at the gate can happen.

Related: Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it

For Delta One domestic upgrades, Medallion members will clear on the day of departure following the same clearance priority hierarchy as with first-class upgrades, subject to upgrade availability.

Even if your upgrade doesn't clear in advance, you may still clear at the gate. If an upgrade is still not confirmed at your upgrade window or when you check in, your pending upgrade request will automatically be added to the airport standby list for a potential upgrade at the gate before you board. You may view your spot on the standby list in the "My Trips" section of the Delta app and at the gate information display at the airport.

Medallion members are also eligible for complimentary upgrades on Aeromexico-operated flights within Mexico and between Mexico and the U.S., Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia and Ecuador. Upgrades are available to all ticketed passengers except those seated in basic economy. Medallion members can be upgraded to Premier on Aeromexico flights but not AM Plus. Once a SkyMiles number is added to an eligible Aeromexico reservation, Medallion members will automatically be added to the upgrade list.

Complimentary upgrade hierarchy

Here's how Delta will determine your spot on the upgrade list:

• Medallion status
• Fare class groupings — higher-priced fares are ranked above lower-priced fares per the following order: B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X and V, then SkyMiles award tickets, then Pay with Miles
• Million Miler status
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card holders
• Delta corporate travelers (ticket must include your employer's corporate ticket designator)
• Medallion Qualification Dollars earned in the current calendar year
• Date and time of upgrade request

Related: Earn more SkyMiles with these current Delta Amex credit card welcome bonuses

If two members are identical at a given level, it goes down the above list until the tie is broken. For instance, if two Platinum Medallion members are traveling on K-fare tickets and one has a Delta Reserve credit card and the other does not, the card-holding passenger will be prioritized.

Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will clear first-class upgrades beginning 120 hours (or five days) before departure. Gold Medallion members will clear beginning 72 hours (three days) before departure, and Silver Medallion members will clear beginning 24 hours (one day) before departure, subject to upgrade availability.

It's also worth noting that upgrade certificates ( Regional Upgrade Certificates and Global Upgrade Certificates ) and upgrades with miles are prioritized ahead of these complimentary upgrades.

Exclusions and fine print on Delta upgrades

Unfortunately, not all tickets are eligible for complimentary upgrades — here's what's excluded:

• Basic economy (E) fares are not eligible for paid or Medallion complimentary upgrades, regardless of Medallion or other elite status.
• Delta Premium Select fares are not eligible for a complimentary Medallion upgrade outside of the U.S.
• Delta One seats on flights that start or end outside of the U.S. do not qualify for a complimentary Medallion upgrade.
• Complimentary upgrades are not available for selection by any passenger while aboard the aircraft, regardless of status or fare class.
• Except for eligible Pay with Miles tickets and eligible award tickets, complimentary upgrades are not available on basic economy fares.
• Companions who change their itinerary and no longer travel with the higher-tiered Medallion after the change are not eligible for a complimentary upgrade at the higher-tiered member's clearance window. If an upgrade were confirmed before the itinerary change, a reservation for a companion without Medallion status would be changed to reflect the original class of service for the new itinerary, and they would no longer be eligible for a complimentary upgrade. If the companion is a Medallion member, the reservation will be changed to reflect the original class of service. It will continue to be eligible for an upgrade at the companion's own clearance priority. If the Medallion or partner airline elite member is no longer traveling on their original reservation, the companion traveling on the original reservation will no longer be eligible for complimentary Delta Comfort+ seating. Their Delta Comfort+ seat assignment may be removed.

Improving your chances of a Delta upgrade

Beyond racing for a higher tier of Delta's Medallion status, you can better your chances of receiving a complimentary upgrade by opening a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card . These cards also net you 15 visits per year (effective Feb. 1, 2025) to Delta's global network of Sky Club airport lounges . To earn an unlimited number of visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter.

If possible, consider booking a corporate ticket through your employer. Also, if you're a Platinum/Diamond Medallion with free same-day change abilities, you can sniff around and change to a less popular route on your day of departure. ExpertFlyer — owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures — is an excellent tool for searching flights. You can use the "Flight Availability" functionality to understand how many seats remain open/unsold.

You'll often have a better shot at an upgrade if you avoid peak business travel periods. This lets you compete with fewer frequent flyers. Generally, this means avoiding flying on Sunday night, Monday morning and pretty much all day Friday if you want to sidestep top-tier business travelers.

Delta upgrade certificates

Delta offers two types of dedicated upgrade certificates, known as Global Upgrade Certificates and Regional Upgrade Certificates . The only way to get them is to earn Platinum or Diamond Medallion status and select them using your Choice Benefits .

Upgrade certificates have a higher priority than complimentary upgrades and may be requested and, subject to availability, cleared when you book your ticket. In other words, they're a hyper-exclusive and extremely powerful way to sit in the front of the plane.

GUCs, available exclusively for Diamond Medallion members, offer upgrades on both international and domestic flights with Delta, along with select flights with KLM, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air and Aeromexico. RUCs, available for Diamond and Platinum Medallion members, offer upgrades on the same routes as complimentary upgrades, including all flights with first class and the domestic Delta One experience.

Related: The ultimate guide to Delta Choice Benefits

As a Choice Benefits selection, Diamond Medallion members may choose any of the following three options:

• Four global upgrades
• Eight regional upgrades
• Two global upgrades and four regional upgrades

Platinum Medallion members may choose four regional upgrades as their single Choice Benefits selection.

So if you want one of the coveted GUCs, you'll need first to achieve Diamond status, Delta's highest published Medallion tier.

Related: Last-minute strategies for Delta Medallion elite status

Important notes about Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates

These certificates have several quirks and nuances you must know.

These certificates only offer confirmed upgrades for one cabin higher than originally purchased. Main Cabin tickets will upgrade to Premium Select on flights with a Premium Select cabin. Then, the elite member processing the upgrade will be placed on a Delta One upgrade waitlist 24 hours before departure. The good news is that there will be last-seat upgrade availability in Premium Select on international flights. Likewise, last-seat availability will be when you use your GUC to upgrade to a domestic flight, even on Delta One routes.

An RUC or GUC is for one-way travel, so you'd need to burn four to take you and a guest on a round-trip itinerary. You can apply an RUC or GUC to a paid ticket, a SkyMiles award ticket, a Pay with Miles ticket and a companion ticket. Crucially, you cannot apply an RUC or a GUC to a basic economy (E fare) ticket, regardless of your Medallion status level.

While these certificates are not fully transferable to others, Delta will allow you to apply your RUC or GUC to a guest's ticket if that person is traveling on the same flight as you. Even if you're booked on separate reservations (e.g., your company books your economy ticket, and you book your spouse's economy ticket later), you can use your upgrade certificates for both passengers.

Each GUC or RUC will expire at the end of the Medallion Year that was associated with the Choice Benefits selection. Each certificate may be used to upgrade flights operated by Delta Air Lines or Delta Connection booked in the P, A, G, W, Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V fare classes, and may also be used to upgrade on SkyMiles awards, Pay with Miles tickets and companion certificates.

Upgrading on Delta partner flights with certificates

You can also use GUCs to upgrade select partner flights. GUCs applied to Air France and Virgin Atlantic flights will only move you from economy to premium economy unless you book a premium economy ticket outright. Note that all partner upgrades must be confirmed 24 hours before departure.

These are the rules for upgrading partner-operated flights:

Upgrading KLM flights

• Delta-marketed, KLM-operated flights: Main Cabin seats booked in Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V to Z class (business class). This is because KLM does not offer a premium economy cabin on many flights.
• KLM-marketed, KLM-operated flights: Economy seats booked in Y, B, M, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R or V class can be upgraded to Z (business class).
• Air France-marketed, KLM-operated flights: Economy seats booked in Y, B, M, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R or V class can be upgraded to Z class (business class).
• For flights departing Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Global Upgrade Certificates must be applied prior to check-in with a KLM ticketing agent or at a KLM Crown Lounge.

Upgrading Air France flights

• Air France-marketed, Air France-operated flights: Economy seats booked in Y, B, M, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R or V class can be upgraded to A class (premium economy) or from W, S or A class to Z class (business class).
• KLM-marketed, Air France-operated flights: Economy seats booked in Y, B, M, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R or V class can be upgraded to A class (premium economy) or from W, S or A class to Z class (business class).
• Delta-marketed, Air France-operated flights: Economy seats booked in Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V class can be upgraded to A class (premium economy) or from W, S or A class to Z class (business class), or from P, A or G class to Z class (business class).

Upgrading Virgin Atlantic flights

• Delta-marketed, Virgin Atlantic-operated flights: Economy seats booked in W, S, Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V class can be upgraded to P class (premium economy), or from P, A or G class to Virgin Atlantic's G class (business class).

Upgrading Aeromexico flights

• Delta-marketed, Aeromexico-operated flights: Economy seats booked in W, S, Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X or V class can be upgraded to O class (business class).

Upgrading Korean Air flights

• Delta-marketed, Korean-operated flights: Seats booked in J class can be upgraded to Korean Air's A class, Y or B class booked can be upgraded to Z class, or if you're booked in M class, you can be upgraded to Korean Air's O class.

How to use a Delta upgrade certificate

Until recently, you had to call to apply a GUC or an RUC to a Delta-operated ticket. Now, you only have to do this for existing tickets, as new tickets can be upgraded online.

Upgrading a new Delta booking with a certificate

Delta allows you to upgrade new bookings online (but not on the Fly Delta app). You'll see the option to upgrade your ticket with a GUC or an RUC on the checkout page.

Look for the "Upgrade Certificate Request" box and select the flight you'd like to upgrade. Then, select the type of upgrade certificate you'd like to use.

The upgrade certificate will be automatically applied when you complete your booking.

Upgrading an existing Delta booking with a certificate

For existing bookings, you must dial the phone number given with your associated Medallion tier or the general hotline at 800-323-2323 and make the request. Be sure to call at least three hours before departure to apply your certificate, though 24 hours before departure is strongly recommended.

If you want to confirm an upgrade immediately, search for your flight on the Delta website. Upgrade availability is shown underneath the flight times. Make sure you're logged in to your Delta account, as upgrade availability only shows on elite accounts.

If you can avoid waitlisting, do so. Waitlist upgrades are not guaranteed to clear, and they're known to rarely clear on particular routes — such as West Coast gateways to Hawaii.

On itineraries with connections, ask the Delta agent to place upgrade priority on the leg that matters most to you. If you don't clarify this, upgrades can clear on relatively unimportant/short legs while you remain waitlisted on the long leg. The upgrade certificate is considered used if you don't prioritize the hard-to-get leg and the upgrade clears on any other leg of your itinerary.

For example, you don't want to burn a valuable GUC on a 45-minute domestic positioning leg when the leg that matters is the long-haul ride from the U.S. to Europe, Asia, Oceania, etc. Remember, there's no way to "undo" an upgrade clearing. Once it's burned, it's burned.

While upgrade requests on the waitlist can be cleared before you get to the gate, it is more likely that they will be cleared at the gate before departure. If your certificate doesn't clear, it will be automatically reissued to your account and can be used on a future flight.

Related: How not to 'waste' your Delta Regional and Global Upgrade Certificates

Delta SkyMiles mileage upgrades

While we typically recommend storing up SkyMiles until you can exchange them for a true award ticket, that's not always practical for infrequent flyers. Delta allows its passengers to upgrade their existing tickets with SkyMiles regardless of status.

You can use Delta's Upgrade with Miles feature to upgrade to Delta One, Delta Premium Select, first-class or Delta Comfort+ for eligible flights. If your reservation is eligible for an upgrade, you'll see the option to upgrade in your trip summary.

Delta typically prices mileage upgrades by placing a value of roughly 1.07 cents on each SkyMile. In other words, if Delta is charging $60 for a particular seat upgrade, it'll also allow you to part ways with roughly 5,600 SkyMiles to achieve the same upgrade. Just note that you may be able to achieve marginally higher value by booking an award ticket outright.

Buy-up upgrades can also come in handy if you're chasing elite status. You'll earn Medallion Qualification Dollars on the cash or SkyMiles you spend on an upgrade, boosting you toward the next status tier. If you use SkyMiles to upgrade, you'll earn MQDs on the award ticket based on the cash amount of the ticket purchased, excluding taxes and fees.

Related: How I used SkyMiles to upgrade my Paris flight from coach to Delta One

Bottom line

Getting upgraded for "free" is a glorious thing, and you can better your chances by climbing Delta's Medallion elite ranks and holding a Delta SkyMiles Reserve card or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card . You'll also be wise to choose flights that aren't during peak business travel periods, and if there's a connection involved, avoid Delta's largest hubs like Atlanta, Minneapolis, New York (LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport) and Los Angeles.

Using a stash of SkyMiles to upgrade can be a great way to boost your flight experience. Still, you'll want to think carefully before using Upgrade with Miles — Delta will only allow you to extract roughly 1.07 cents per SkyMile via this method.

Upgrade certificates are the most exciting option, but you must reach Platinum or Diamond status to secure them. If you're fortunate enough to have a few in your account, you can strategically plan a dream trip, pay cash for an OK seat and fly there in a great seat.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

How to survive basic economy on Delta Air Lines

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

If you're preparing for a trip and notice you've booked a basic economy fare on Delta Air Lines, you may have a lot of questions about what this fare allows and how your experience may be different from any previous trips you've taken with Delta. This guide aims to answer all of your questions.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

What's Delta basic economy?

Delta has three types of economy fares: Comfort+ , Main Cabin and basic economy . Basic economy provides a lower-priced fare but places restrictions or fees on seat assignment, upgrades, changes and — for some destinations — checked baggage. Also, since early 2022, basic economy flights no longer earn Delta miles. This guide will answer common questions about these restrictions and the basic economy experience on Delta, but be sure to also check out TPG's review of Delta's basic economy .

Note that some basic economy restrictions are waived for elites and cardholders of Delta cobranded credit cards. So, if you fall into either of these groups, see the specific section related to your group to see which restrictions are waived for you.

Related reading: Comparing basic economy fares across U.S. airlines

Can I check a bag?

Yes, but it's going to cost you ( see the price chart here ). Baggage fees are generally the same for basic economy, economy and Comfort+ passengers on most routes that currently sell basic economy fares. Some notable exceptions are below:

• U.S. and El Salvador, Ecuador, Panama ($30 for basic economy)
• U.S. and South America, excluding Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana ($60 for basic economy)
• U.S. and Canada and Tahiti ($60 for basic economy)
• U.S. and Colombia ($30 for basic economy)
• U.S. and Israel ($60 for basic economy)
• U.S. and Canada and Europe and North Africa ($60 for basic economy)
• Mexico and Europe ($60 for basic economy)

Basic economy flights to the following countries and regions do allow one free checked bag:

• Australia and New Zealand
• Southern and West Africa

Related: How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines

Can I bring a carry-on?

Yes, you're always allowed one carry-on bag that's no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, camera bag or diaper bag. Delta will not count items like jackets, umbrellas, or medical devices as your permitted personal item. Note that because you'll probably board last (more on that below), overhead bin space may be limited.

Also bear in mind that with new efforts to reduce touchpoints on board, flight attendants can no longer help passengers stow their bags overhead. If overhead space is unavailable, your carry-on bag may be gate-checked. Don't worry, though—you won't have to pay if your bag is gate-checked.

Can I select a seat?

Yes, but it might cost you. From seven days to 24 hours before departure, it's possible to pay to select seats on itineraries that are fully domestic. Pricing varies by trip and may be purchased leg by leg. If you don't purchase a seat assignment, Delta will assign you one after check-in.

Flying internationally, or don't want to pay? If non-preferred seats remain at check-in, you'll get a seat assignment for free. Reports show that you may be able to choose your seat for free at this time . However, if no non-preferred seats remain, you'll be assigned a seat shortly before boarding.

Travelers on the same reservation — including families with young children — aren't guaranteed to be seated together unless they pay to select seats together. You might luck out by checking in exactly 24 hours before departure, but there's a risk you won't sit together.

When can I board?

You'll board in the last group. Basic economy passengers can't purchase Priority Boarding.

Can I change my flight?

Within the 24-hour risk-free cancellation period, you can change your flight; however, you will still have to pay any price difference. After 24 hours of purchasing the ticket, you cannot change your flight.

Can I cancel my flight?

You can cancel a basic economy ticket within 24 hours of purchase or if the cancellation is involuntary for a full refund.

For voluntary cancellations, you'll receive a partial travel credit. Basic economy fares for domestic flights or flights to the Caribbean, Central America or Mexico will be subject to a $99 fee deducted from the value of your ticket. Meanwhile, basic economy travel originating in the U.S. or Canada to any other international destination will be subject to a $199 fee.

On basic economy award tickets, the cancellation charge is 9,900 miles for domestic travel (within the United States and Canada) and 19,900 miles for international travel.

Do I still earn miles?

No. In January 2022, Delta changed its policy to exclude basic economy travelers from earning miles on its Skymiles program. Customers who want to earn Delta miles will have to buy a Main Cabin ticket.

Related: What is Delta elite status worth ?

Does having a cobranded credit card help?

Yes, having a cobranded Delta credit card can help you defeat basic economy . As a cardholder you'll get the following benefits even when flying on a basic economy fare:

• First checked bag free (for you and up to eight other passengers traveling with you on the same reservation)
• Priority boarding

Note that you only need to have the card — you don't have to purchase your ticket with the card. If you're looking for a card that provides these benefits, consider getting one of the following cards (eligible when flying with Delta):

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 ) (see rates and fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card ($350 annual fee) (see rates and fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card ($650 annual fee) (see rates and fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150) (see rates and fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card ($350 annual fee) (see rates and fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card ($650 annual fee) (see rates and fees)

Does having elite status help?

Yes. When flying on a basic economy fare, Delta Medallion elites and SkyTeam elites receive many of the same benefits they'd get on normal Main Cabin fares:

• Waived checked baggage fees: always at least one free checked bag, more for some itineraries and for some elite levels
• Priority check-in

However, Medallion Members will not receive paid or complimentary upgrades (such as Comfort+ or Preferred Seats) when flying on basic economy fares.

Related reading: The ultimate guide to getting upgraded on Delta

Bottom line

Delta Air Lines' basic economy fares come with restrictions on seat selection and boarding zone, and this type of ticket doesn't allow for upgrades or a free checked bag. Moreover, with recent policy changes, basic economy flights no longer earn miles.

On the positive side, basic economy passengers can always bring a personal item and carry-on bag, and Delta has made it slightly easier to change or cancel basic economy flights. In other words, if you're traveling light and willing to sacrifice some comfort to save money, Delta basic economy might make sense.

The Delta basic economy experience can be made better with elite status or an eligible cobranded Delta Air Lines credit card . Elite members and cardholders maintain the baggage allowance and boarding zone provided by their elite status or eligible credit card. In particular, having a credit card like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card provides priority boarding and the first bag checked free for up to nine passengers traveling on the same reservation. This means your introductory annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card will be $0 for your first year of Card Membership. After the first year, your annual fee will be $150, and could quickly pay for itself if you or your travel companions travel frequently with checked baggage.

You can also check out our guides to basic economy on American Airlines and United Airlines .

If you're new to The Points Guy, check out our points and miles guide for beginners .

Additional reporting by Benét J.Wilson

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card, please click here.

Frontier Airlines does away with change fees in budget airline pricing overhaul

Frontier Airlines  said it will stop charging customers a fee to change their flights, taking a page from larger competitors as the Biden administration issues stricter rules targeting so-called “junk fees.”

The change is part of an overhaul announced on Friday of the budget airline’s longtime pricing model, which brings customers in the door with eye-catching low base fares but charges a fee for everything else such as seating assignments and carry-on baggage. That model is shared by fellow discounter  Spirit Airlines .

Frontier said it will start offering packages that include some of those add-ons, among others, such as early boarding. While some fares will still allow travelers to add on options a la carte, “we expect that option to be a minority of customers,” Frontier CEO Barry Biffle told CNBC.

A new “economy” bundle that comes with a carry-on and a seat assignment will start at $30 more than a basic fare, while a “premium” bundle that offers those perks plus earlier boarding will be $50 more than the basic fare. For at least $100 more than a basic fare, “business” bundle travelers will also be able to check two bags and get a seat at the front of the plane with more room.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a final rule that requires airlines to tell customers about fees, including those for checked or carry-on baggage, up front, a change the DOT said would save travelers more than half a billion dollars a year.

Frontier currently charges up to $99 to change flights if the change is made within a week of the trip, according to the airline’s website. Larger rivals  Delta ,  American  and  United  scrapped change fees during the Covid-19 pandemic for travelers who were booked in standard economy class and above.  Southwest Airlines  does not charge customers to change their tickets.

“The truth is the big four [U.S. airlines] all have no change fees on the majority of their products, so we were not as desirable,” Biffle said. He said change fees were a “top complaint” of travelers. Travelers who buy the cheapest option on Frontier will still have to pay to change their flights.

Frontier also said flight credits would be valid for 12 months, up from three months, starting with tickets issued on Friday, and that it will reintroduce live phone support for travelers flying within 24 hours or to elite members of its frequent flyer program.

More from CNBC:

• As Tesla layoffs continue, here are 600 jobs the company cut in California
• GameStop shares fall 20% after it files to sell additional stock, says first-quarter sales dropped
• Here’s what has driven the Dow rally to 40,000, and why it could keep going

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We purchased Basic Economy seats from PHL to CUN with a stop in ATL. We understood that our seats would be assigned at the gate. If that was the case, and we were not seated together we could understand. The problem was that for the PHL to ATL portion, we checked in 23 hours ahead of time and were THEN, at check in, assigned 3 separate middle seats.

When we got to the PHL gate 2+ hrs ahead of time there were many, many people who were still not assigned seats and were assigned them at the gate. It appears that Delta went out of their way to assign us bad seats 23 hours ahead of time. wtf?

What exactly is the nature of your complaint? You bought a ticket and got a seat - those are the terms when you purchase BE. What difference does it make what happened to other pax? You don't know what they bought or what their circumstances are. You got what you paid for so I don't understand your posting at all.

Getting a middle seat is one of the "perks" of buying the cheapest fare. They can be assigned at check-in or at the gate.

I would hazard a guess that the OP hoped by waiting until last minute, Delta might have assigned all the cheap seats and the OP would get a better seat. But in this scenario, Delta will preemptively move a Medallion flyer or Main cabin fare holder to a better seat before they will move a BE

Excellent service from Delta.

If you wanted anything other than “take what you’re given” you should have booked Main Cabin.

Your issue is that they should not have assigned you available seats when you checked in? Why do you think that waiting would have resulted in better seats than what you got?

As you discovered Delta has a dual system for BE seat assignments. Some get it at olci and some at the gate. As per their website:

So for some reason you were assigned after checkin and not at the gate. If your question is curiosity as to the algorithm used, I don't know. If you're complaining about 3 random middle seats then indeed next time purchase main cabin seats or comfort+

I'm quite happy that they give the people who buy the cheapest tickets the worst seats.

I can see jeff101d's point. If post seven is accurate, and I've no reason to doubt that it is, then Delta seem to have a bit of a two tier system for assigning seats to BE pax, wheher at OLCI or at the gate.

But that may mean the BE pax who will have used OLCI won't have the same choice of seats which the airline will have deemed appropriate for BE pax as those assigned at the gate; by that I mean there may be 'better' options by that time depending on other parameters.

Depending on the number of pax booking BE tickets, waiting to assign seats at the gate could be messy, but again it does seem a bit skewed with the current process. If it's the case that a first tranche of pax who check in online for their flight will be given the choice of what's available at the time, perhaps DL could indicate that as one of the expectations that will come with the purchase of a BE ticket.

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