Buying airline tickets and codes.

[tammymacb]

First off, this thread has nothing to do with getting to WDW.

Last summer, DH and I flew Delta from Chs- Aruba. We had a layover in Atlanta and at the Atlanta airport, there was a sign above the gate that said that 1st class upgrades were available for sale. I got in line to upgrade, and was told that because of the class ticket I purchased, I couldn't purchase the upgrade.

I'm flying to Turks and Caicos this summer. I'd like to know how to buy the classes of tickets that are upgradable if given the same opportunity.

Our Aruba tickets were bought online, directly from the Delta airline site. When I go to Delta, it just gives me a purchase price, without any option to buy a different class ticket.

How do I do this?

Thanks.

 

[vicki_c]

I think only refundable tickets (= full price) are often eligible for upgrades. But I don't know the specifics for any particular airlines.

I'm guessing it wouldn't be worth the price difference between a discounted ticket you could get to be eligible for the upgrade. (For example, for an upcoming trip on Southwest, we have $79 flights on a Wanna Get Away fare, full price flights are about $308 with non-restricted tickets last time I looked).

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The cheapest fares are often not eligible, and upgrades would be more apt to be applied to full coach, non-restricted, fully refundable fares before any other fare class. If you want an upgrade, pay for first class/business class, if you want a good chance of a free or discounted upgrade pay for a fully refundable, coach ticket. Also, consolidator, group fares are almost never upgradeable, under any circumstance, so if you booked under a special package, etc, you may be under a consolidator/group fare.

 

[DebbieB]

On Delta's homepage, click planning tools, then book a flight. On the page, there is a dropdown towards the bottom for fare class. I believe you need Economy M or higher to buy an upgrade.

Found this chart:

http://www.delta.com/components/help/apps/booking/fare_class.jsp

M or higher also gives you 150% miles.