Mike89406 From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1266 posts, RR: 3 Posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 1980 times:
Please excuse me for my being naive however never experiencing upgrading and airline lounges.I have flown a lot since I have been alive but never experienced the finer luxuries of air travel.
I bought tickets on the Delta Website for real cheap deal like 218.00 a person w/o tax to fly me my wife, and my daughter back east to see family in July as I am a consumer. The ticket is non-refundable. My first question is is there any chance of upgrading to biz class or first class? And If not Do I have to just buy a refundable ticket to have half a chance? Or dont count on that either? Just give me the Upgrade 101 short course if you will.
Now before you answer I also signed up for Delta Skymiles before I bought the tickets online so I can get Frequent Flyer Miles. The reason I am interested is I flew from RNO-SAN in Dec on military on the Govt dime not mine. It was on UA RNO-SFO the ticket man asked me at the kiosk if I wanted to upgrade for $60.00 to 1st class I of course said no being a short flight and its not my money. anyways........
My route is from Reno-Washington DC on DL. Even if I cant no big loss I did get decent seats I think except the SLC leg I'm right behind the wing I'll get the engine noise.
July 17
RNO-SLC CRJ-900 9B
SLC-DCA 757-200 33D
July 25
DCA-ATL MD-88 13C
ATL-LAX 767-400ER 19E
LAX-RNO CR Jet 7C
Second Question is can me and my family get in to a Delta lounge if I buy a day ticket, is it worth going to, and what do they offer?
Being in the military I can sort of relate the lounges to a being more luxurious than the USO. The military usually has USO lounges In Major airports they have, beverages, snacks, TV,games, sometimes beds to sleep in if you have a long layover. They will even wake you if you're sleeping before you're flight, and they usually have showers. Its basically much better than waiting in the terminal.
TPAnx From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 1021 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1923 times:
I'd abandon any thoughts about an upgrade, unless you want to upgrade yourself by buying a biz or F ticket.
Day pass to the lounge would be worthwhile,.IMO, only if you have a fairly long layover en route. And how old is your daughter? IIRC, some airline lounges are kid-free zones.
TPAnx
Mike89406 From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1266 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1870 times:
Copter808 From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 752 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1868 times:
If you can get a good daily rate on the club, you might want to try it. I think it will also give you access to CO and NW clubs too. You might want to check all 3 and see which is cheapest, then use whichever is better or more convenient. Make sure they will permit you to bring the number of guests or family members you'll have with you.
Overall, although it might be nicer than the USO, it may not be worth the extra cost. You'll have to try it and decide.
BTW, does the USO admit retired military too?
Another option...check the load to see if it is oversold. If so, volunteer to get bumped and tell them you want an upgrade if available and admission to the club.
S12PPL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1867 times:
Mike,
On the 7th of April I'm flying PDX-ATL-MSY on DL. I cashed in miles, however, and am flying F. Sometimes you can get lucky with airlines and get upgraded. When you get to SLC, you could even show your military ID, and ask what an upgrade would cost. They may bump you guys up for free, just for being in the military...Dunno...just a longshot idea.
Mike89406 From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1266 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1847 times:
Quoting Copter808 (Reply 3): BTW, does the USO admit retired military too?
I had to call to find out but I called 2 places ATL and ORD they both said they accept retired military only ATL said they prefer retired wait til 2:00 pm as it gets pretty crowded wth active duty en route to Iraq and Afganistan.
ORD didnt have a problem. Ummm here is the USO site it has some of the CONUS locations its not conclusive because I know for a fact I seen one at the SAN Terminal and its not listed.
If you know you're going somewhere give the USO a call to double check. I know they require you're Military ID at a minimum to enter . Btw the SEA USO has nice bunk beds if you stay overnight, and the PHL USO has cots if you have a long layover in either one.
Quoting TPAnx (Reply 1): IIRC, some airline lounges are kid-free zones.
I have a 3 hr layover in ATL so I will probably go somewhere.
DeltAirlines From United States of America, joined May 1999, 8771 posts, RR: 13 Reply 6, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1816 times:
No chance at an upgrade if you're on a fare that low and not an elite. For non-elites to be upgraded, it needs to be a K fare or higher, which a transcon $218 is probably a T or a U fare (normally T, but I just booked a U to LAS for $195 all in). Looking at the routes though, upgrading for elites is pretty tough: SLC-DCA is a pretty heavy elite route due to it being one of the few flights with good west coast connections, DCA-ATL is pretty full regularly, and ATL-LAX is a route a lot of people pay for F plus a lot of Medallions there.
As for the Crown Rooms, none of them are kid-free zones. The only rules are you need to buy her own pass ($25/person) and she needs to stay with you in the club (can't just let her wander around). I've been to several Crown Rooms and have seen plenty of kids in there. Keep in mind that it's a one-VISIT pass, not a one-day pass. Not a problem for RNO-SLC-DCA, but for DCA-ATL-LAX-RNO, you can only use it at one club at one time in ATL; wouldn't be able to go out to lunch and come back in or use it in LAX without paying another $25/person.
Alfa75 From United States of America, joined May 2005, 612 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1790 times:
Quoting S12PPL (Reply 4): you could even show your military ID
You have got to be kidding me. He should have the same chance as everyone else to get an upgrade without pulling the "hero" card.
S12PPL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1769 times:
Quoting Alfa75 (Reply 7): You have got to be kidding me. He should have the same chance as everyone else to get an upgrade without pulling the "hero" card.
I didn't say I agreed with it, did I?? I'm just saying that the way America reacts to anyone in a military uniform, it isn't un-reasonable to think that he could score an upgrade for him and his family....
Mike89406 From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1266 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (6 years 1 month 3 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 1675 times:
Quoting Alfa75 (Reply 7): You have got to be kidding me. He should have the same chance as everyone else to get an upgrade without pulling the "hero" card.
I agree and it probably wouldn't make a difference I just wanted info on how to upgrade, not am I more special than the rest? It probably wont matter anyways I'm well aware of the military perks availible however my main questionwas, can I possibly upgrade? And If so what can I do to upgrade?
There are others I know of that do less to obtain upgrades on other carriers, or they get lucky what makes then so special? I would even pay a little more if I have to. However I'm not going to shell out thousands more if I can avoid it.
Thats something me and my wife can do someday after kids the house or we go on a well deserved vacation.
I understand there are people that travel a lot more and can actually afford a F class or Biz rate.
Secondly I just wanted a little info on access to the lounges is it worth it or not?
Mike89406 From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1266 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1602 times:
I appreciate the info regardless of what happens my current seats are in a good location. I managed to change my SLC-DCA flight seats to in front of the wing so thats all good. The rest of the flights RNO-SLC, DCA-ATL, ATL-LAX, LAX-RNO flights I'm in front of the wing.
Quoting DeltAirlines (Reply 6): As for the Crown Rooms, none of them are kid-free zones. The only rules are you need to buy her own pass ($25/person)
So let me see if I understand you correctly I need to buy a pass for Me obviously my 7 yr old, and my wife making it $75.00 in total for just one location.
Quoting DeltAirlines (Reply 6): she needs to stay with you in the club (can't just let her wander around
Thats no problem she knows better not to do those things.
Quoting DeltAirlines (Reply 6): No chance at an upgrade if you're on a fare that low and not an elite. For non-elites to be upgraded, it needs to be a K fare or higher, which a transcon $218 is probably a T or a U fare (normally T, but I just booked a U to LAS for $195 all in). Looking at the routes though, upgrading for elites is pretty tough: SLC-DCA is a pretty heavy elite route due to it being one of the few flights with good west coast connections, DCA-ATL is pretty full regularly, and ATL-LAX is a route a lot of people pay for F plus a lot of Medallions there.
You're exactly right I booked a T class fare according to my Intinery printout. I remember seeing a fare class pull down on the website when you look for tickets, but now I cant find it. (ie...T, U class etc...) would you happen to know where to look? And K class is that equivalent to a refundable ticket or what?
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