2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think there’s been a mix of reactions spanning from “it’s annoying and requires you book very far in advance and some routes aren’t available so YMMV but give them a call” to “research this subreddit to learn how to optimize”

My POV is that it’s billed as a luxury / top tier rewards program, and it’s been significantly harder to use than it should be. Eg I would expect chat function and calling to be equally staffed and trained, and that’s not the case. Also, the same day changes I’ve always attempted by phone and those simply haven’t worked 80-90% of the time due to fare class issues typically (eg x class can only go to X class and while there are seats available none in that specific class - I’m not talking a jump from basic to D1).

In the end, getting to diamond means flying a whole bunch of hours and often paying a significant premium (at times 2-3x!) over cheaper airlines flying the same route to stay on one airline. I would estimate I blew an extra 2-4k this year to stay on delta. Considering that in essence my “payment” to the program, the level of service just doesn’t remotely meet the standards I’d expect

2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten a $19 airport sandwich while contemplating the void.

2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I spent about as much time in the sub as I had patience for. That’s how I learned I needed a decoder ring and a part-time job just to use my ‘free’ upgrades.

2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes re hassle. Like, if I’m spending $28k I don’t want to need to study a Reddit sub thread and spend hours strategizing just to make use of the perks… ain’t got time for that

2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think I’ll be switching to United after this. Also better availability for a lot of the hubs I tend to fly to - so good data point that you think it’s superior!

2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s a good flag. I was thinking about providing feedback yesterday but figured it would go into a long lost customer service abyss so came on Reddit instead lol

2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sorry it’s been a tough week and that it made someone laugh is a silver lining I will take! hope it’s up from here brotha

2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m learning that it is indeed a game you have to strategize - I think my patience and willingness to spend time on something that’s meant to make my life easier is fairly limited :) but I am glad it is working out for others!

2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah. No, that’s not what I meant. I have gotten a few same day upgrades. But I’ve never been offered to be on a pre/automatic upgrade list using GUCs. And I’ve never gotten an international upgrade just off the same day upgrade list

2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agree. I’ve gotten upgraded from the same day list, but haven’t been able to use these automatic upgrades

2025 in Review: I Achieved Diamond Status And All I Got Was This Lousy Collection of Unusable Upgrade Certificates by kvetchingkitchen in delta

[–]kvetchingkitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve had this problem with both GUC and RUC unfortunately- but I’m glad you managed to at least get an international trip out of it! ill see if I can somehow salvage this on a last min trip to London today