Delta's New Companion Upgrade Policy Makes No Sense

I am a DM and my wife a GM. My kids don't have status. Thus, with this stupid rule I will definitely have one of my kids as my companion and let my wife alone on her own ticket. That will increase the chances we get at least 2 upgrades.

@ Ben -- Thank you for criticizing this stupid policy. Hopefully, Delta will take notice and modify the policy again. It is difficult to comprehend why this new policy is good for Delta.

So don't put your companion's skymiles number in? Or if they have to be a member to be eligible (my recollection), use their old/non-elite account?

Unless something has changed recently, you can upgrade with a companion on a separate reservation on AA. I've done it before, but it does require a phone call or two to have someone set it up for you.

Prevents coworkers from gaming the system and linking each other’s reservations to help jump the queue.

After all, the scenario contemplated here is very 1950s e.g. Dad is the travelling businessman and when he brings his fam (SAHM + kids) along, they get to ride upfront with him.

Is there a reason you can't just book in the same reservation. I'd argue that 90%+ of companion upgrades are on the same reservation so this change isn't as big as everyone is making it out to be.

@Ryan I would book my travel separately if my partner who has platinum status has to book it via their work portal. His company does allow for personal travel and it can be me, so it can be cheaper than the public available ticket.

So I used to have to wait 24 hours but now since I don't have status it benefits me, but I feel that it should be for the highest status regardless of if they are together or linked. I do enjoy being linked in the event that we do not book together. Of course if we book together we both clear Comfort Plus if available after booking.

@Ben If I am linked to a Platinum Medallion and we didn't book together, it is still only for First Class right, so I wouldn't get Comfort Plus unless booked together?

Enter FF number only for highest tier member on reservation, get better shot at upgrades for whole group.
The rest can claim miles retroactively.

AA has allowed linked PNRs to be upgraded for many years, and is a lot simpler processing-wise than this mess DL has created... It just requires a call to AA reservations and a competent AAgent to do it.

Yep, AA has done it for years.

But there can be issues of getting separated - you have a choice of split or no-split. If you choose split, and you are upgraded but your companion isn't, then the companion is no longer upgrded based on your status (or at least that was my expience as late as 2018).

Is this an issue? Seems as though if one member has diamond status and their companion has platinum status, they'll both likely get an upgrade. If the diamond member has a companion with no status, they'll both get an upgrade. Those of us actually paying for first class will still be subject to ridiculous people opening cans of tuna in first class wearing sweat pants and flip flops because of the good ol upgrade system (actually happened). Or you can just fly in different seats.. if this means so much to you, your companion may gladly wish to socially distance from you for the duration of the flight.. Meanwhile, at least on domestic flights, Delta is currently offering snack bags to all classes and no particular meal service all the while blocking middle seats even in basic economy. If you're so worried, fly on Boutique or get a private jet.

If you guys would actually read the Delta site instead of accepting things at face value, you'd see its been changed.

The statement "Delta is the only one that allows those on “linked” reservations to be upgraded on account of elite status." is incorrect. AA allows this as well. You just need to call Reservations to link the two reservations. Then, your companion will be upgraded at the same time as you, assuming there are two seats available.

OK so if you're companion has status, could they get around it by establishing a skyteam account with a different airline that didn't have status to enter into that field? They wouldn't need to forfeit so many miles then either. Still not great if they're trying to get status of their own but it would certainly maximize the chance of getting upgraded.

It should not have changed. If you can’t book in 1 reservation you shouldn’t be allowed the higher upgrade status.

This is obviously granted towards leisure travelers, which makes sense given the travel climate right now. From a business perspective, not a bad move.

As others have said this is completely inaccurate as not only AA allows it but so does UA. United will upgrade up to 1 companion on the same pnr ahead of time. At t-24 they will be split and you have to re-add them at checkin to the upgrade list

This is why we always just book first class or delta one to begin with, Don’t have to worry about all the upgrade rules.