Can I pay for a Delta upgrade?

While there are few ways to secure an upgrade on a Delta flight without Medallion Elite status, opportunities do exist. Purchase a Comfort+ Upgrade during booking or anytime up until 3 hours before departure.



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After booking, you may be presented with the option to upgrade with miles at Delta.com or through the Fly Delta app. You can check your reservation at any time to see if this is an option. Alternatively, you can contact a Delta representative to upgrade with miles.

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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.

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Whether you have Delta Medallion status or not, you can easily get yourself into a Comfort Plus or First Class seat if you are willing to pay for it. Delta gives you the option to pay for an upgrade with cash, but you also have the ability to use Delta SkyMiles to pay for an upgrade.

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Are all tickets eligible for post-purchase upgrades? Only itineraries that are wholly operated by Delta or Delta Connection are eligible for post-purchase upgrades at this time. Additionally, Basic Economy tickets are not eligible for upgrades.

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Learn more about Medallion Complimentary Upgrades at delta.com/medallion. To book an upgrade using your miles, visit My Trips on Delta.com, the Fly Delta App or call 1-800-800-1504. Upgrading with miles on delta.com or the Fly Delta app after booking a flight: This product is nonrefundable and nonchangeable.

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Be a Delta Medallion Member – If you are a Delta Medallion member, you are automatically on the upgrade list for first class, Delta One® and Delta Comfort+® seating. The higher your elite member status, the higher your upgrade priority to a premium cabin.

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7 ways to get upgraded on a flight
  1. Earn airline elite status. ...
  2. Fly with someone who has airline elite status. ...
  3. Ask an elite member for their unused upgrades. ...
  4. Volunteer for an oversold flight. ...
  5. Purchase upgrades with the right credit card. ...
  6. Use miles to upgrade. ...
  7. Pay for a last-minute upgrade.


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So while you shouldn't expect a free upgrade on a flight, you can still ask for upgrades from booking till boarding — and you may be able to pay your way to a much more comfortable seat.

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Eligible to Purchase Upgrades With Main Cabin, you are eligible to earn miles for your flight and earn toward Medallion Status®. You may also purchase upgrades to Preferred Seats and premium cabin experiences.

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Holding the credit card could be the fastest way to elevate your boarding zone if you are traveling in the main cabin. These include popular cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cards.

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Upgrade with Miles While You're Booking
  1. Log in at delta.com.
  2. Select a ticket.
  3. If your reservation is eligible, you'll see the option to Upgrade with Miles in your Trip Summary before you complete your purchase.
  4. Once selected, use miles to upgrade all passengers in your reservation.


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Know When to Ask
Talk to a gate agent and let them know that you're interested in moving up. Once onboard there isn't anything we can do as a flight attendant, Kamalani said of her airline. Gate agents will typically have a list of frequent fliers who are first eligible for upgrades.

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If the flight stays empty, upgrades get cheaper. If flight is full, upgrades get more expensive. Yes. For domestic flights, if plenty of first class seats are available, I've found that the sweet spot for paid upgrades is usually between 4 and 7 days before the flight.

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After you sit down and they announce that they have finished boarding (not before!), ping a flight attendant and ask if you might move up to a better seat if it's available.

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Ask at check-in
Airlines may sell upgrades at a discount when you check-in, either online or at the airport. The closer to the flight departing, the less likely the airline is to sell a cash fare in the upgraded cabin. Thus, they may be open to the idea of offering it to an existing passenger for a discounted price.

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How do I request a Complimentary Upgrade?
  1. Medallion Members should add their SkyMiles number to their flight reservation during the booking process. ...
  2. Travel companions must also add their SkyMiles number to their flight reservation to be eligible for Complimentary Upgrades.


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If luxury and extra legroom is really important to you, book it in advance. However, if you're perfectly willing to fly economy class, and willing to roll the dice, a last-minute upgrade can be the cheapest option. You may even get lucky and score a free upgrade.

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Therefore, before a flight starts boarding, you can check with a gate agent to see if this scenario is playing out on your flight. And if so, tell them that you're interested in paying for an upgrade. For a final try, if that also fails, you can ask the lead flight attendant or flight attendant at the boarding door.

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So, is Delta Comfort Plus worth it? The answer is entirely up to you. If you value extra legroom, space for your luggage and complimentary booze, then yes, it's worth spending the extra money.

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Realistically, it's a gamble and getting upgraded to business class at the airport is pretty rare. If luxury and extra legroom is really important to you, book it in advance. However, if you're perfectly willing to fly economy class, and willing to roll the dice, a last-minute upgrade can be the cheapest option.

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