Viability of Delta Reserve for seat upgrades?

[wasCB14]

I'm curious to hear how other people value the "last on the list for upgrades" feature of the Delta Reserve Amex.

I have no Delta status. While I'd probably not keep the card long term, it may play a role in upgrade/downgrade games.

I'm a bit torn on the matter. I know I could just pay for a Comfort+ upgrade and know where I'm sitting...rather than take the gamble that is Basic Economy.

And on shorter, cheaper flights it seems like by the time I'd get enough upgrades (even swapping economy aisle for Comfort+ middle) for the perk to pay off I'd already be pretty close to basic status and (AFAIK) not need that Reserve perk.

OTOH, even with mediocre use of a companion pass (I've had issues with cat-herding), by the time I'd factor in an upgrade bonus and maybe a modest retention offer, the Delta Reserve could maybe make sense as part of an upgrade/downgrade strategy.

Also, what have been the best Reserve upgrade SUBs (from Blue/Gold/Platinum) that people have seen?

[brk1971]

Expect zero upgrades for having the card. Yeah, you qualify. But flights are generally full, and upgrade lists are generally long, multiple dozen people long. Above you is nearly every other category of upgrade qualification. I am a Diamond Medalion / Million Miler with a Reserve and still have to use Choice Certificates and / or paid upgrades at times.

Are they out there? Sure (well, probably). But DL uses a hub and spoke system so nearly every flight goes from or to a hub, and these routes are simply full of 360 members, Diamonds, Platinums, Golds, Silvers, Corporate bookers, Status partners, and of course credit card holders.

Some of the real benefits of the Reserve are SkyClub access and Status Boost (MQMs toward status and million miler thresholds) and of course the Companion Pass (in first class) that I've never had any issue using. Many of the other benefits come with the lesser versions of the DL Amex (e.g., discounted miles tickets). 

YMMV

[redpat]

I wish I could help.  I book up front anyway and I never want to roll the dice for an upgrade.

Great card though for the first class companion ticket if you do fly up front.

I'm not much of a gambler.....

[Beefy1212]

---

@brk1971 wrote:

Expect zero upgrades for having the card. Yeah, you qualify. But flights are generally full, and upgrade lists are generally long, multiple dozen people long. Above you is nearly every other category of upgrade qualification. I am a Diamond Medalion / Million Miler with a Reserve and still have to use Choice Certificates and / or paid upgrades at times.

Are they out there? Sure (well, probably). But DL uses a hub and spoke system so nearly every flight goes from or to a hub, and these routes are simply full of 360 members, Diamonds, Platinums, Golds, Silvers, Corporate bookers, Status partners, and of course credit card holders.

Some of the real benefits of the Reserve are SkyClub access and Status Boost (MQMs toward status and million miler thresholds) and of course the Companion Pass (in first class) that I've never had any issue using. Many of the other benefits come with the lesser versions of the DL Amex (e.g., discounted miles tickets). 

YMMV

---

When I fly delta or united... I use "beefy's ghetto seat upgrades.com"

First I like to fly very early in the morning the earlier the better.

When queuing up to board I open the seat selection/upgrade map that is part of the online check-in. I know exactly what seats are taken because I am looking at the seating chart for the flight.

Once on board simply sit down in whatever seat you want that isn't already booked. I prefer to target the emergency exit rows I am a big boy and like the leg room.

Order your cocktail, put your ear buds in and wake up in a new time zone and remember you are free to move about the cabin!

[wasCB14]

---

@brk1971 wrote:

Expect zero upgrades for having the card. Yeah, you qualify. But flights are generally full, and upgrade lists are generally long, multiple dozen people long. Above you is nearly every other category of upgrade qualification. I am a Diamond Medalion / Million Miler with a Reserve and still have to use Choice Certificates and / or paid upgrades at times.

Are they out there? Sure (well, probably). But DL uses a hub and spoke system so nearly every flight goes from or to a hub, and these routes are simply full of 360 members, Diamonds, Platinums, Golds, Silvers, Corporate bookers, Status partners, and of course credit card holders.

Some of the real benefits of the Reserve are SkyClub access and Status Boost (MQMs toward status and million miler thresholds) and of course the Companion Pass (in first class) that I've never had any issue using. Many of the other benefits come with the lesser versions of the DL Amex (e.g., discounted miles tickets). 

YMMV

---

Good point. I don't fly LAX-JFK much anymore, but that route was always saturated with elites...and an "upgrade" on a hub-to-minor-spoke flight may be likely, but if the flight is short and the plane primitive then an upgrade doesn't mean much.

I do plan to keep the two Platinum cards (both Business and Schwab) for the time being so I'll be keeping SkyClub access.

So maybe I'll hold out for something like a 100k offer to upgrade to Reserve.

[NRB525]

The Delta Reserve is a good card, if you buy a first class companion ticket each year. 

If you have the Delta Platinum, then buying Main Cabin / Comfort Plus is nearly a requirement.

I guess I'd be skeptical that these two cards would work well for upgrade/downgrade games. The delay involved in getting the Companion Pass stabilized seems to me like it would be getting in the way of thinking upgrade/downgrade would make any difference. A one-time upgrade to Reserve with a bonus makes sense, then just go for the First Class treadmill for your companion pass, going forward.