How to Upgrade Your Seat on Delta Airlines (Complete Guide)

Upgrading your seat on Delta Airlines can turn an ordinary flight into a much more comfortable and enjoyable experience — whether you want extra legroom in Comfort+, a larger seat and premium service in First Class, or the full luxury of Delta One Suites.

This guide breaks down every way to get a Delta Airlines seat upgrade, including how much upgrades cost, how to upgrade after booking, Medallion complimentary upgrade rules, upgrade certificates, airport upgrades, and pro tips to score the best deal — or even a free upgrade. Call for delta group travel booking anytime at +1-833-894-5333 We’ll help you find the best fares, award space, and upgrade options.

This is the most complete and up-to-date guide you will find, built for travelers who want practical, real-world strategies.

Does Delta Airlines Allow Seat Upgrades?

Yes — Delta offers multiple official ways to upgrade your flight, depending on the fare you purchased, your SkyMiles status, and seat availability.

You can upgrade to:

• Delta Comfort+

• First Class

• Premium Select (international routes)

• Delta One / Delta One Suites (premium business class)

However, your upgrade eligibility depends on:

• Fare class purchased (Basic Economy is mostly ineligible)

• Medallion elite status

• Seat availability

• Whether you're upgrading with cash, miles, certificates, or complimentary upgrades

If seats are open, Delta makes it possible to upgrade at booking, after booking, at check-in, or even right at the gate.

Ways to Upgrade on Delta Air Lines (All Methods Explained)

Delta offers numerous upgrade paths — some cheap, some premium, and some completely free. Below are all available methods, including when they work best.

1. Upgrade Using Cash (“Buy Up”)

The cash upgrade, also known as a “Buy Up,” is the most common and often the cheapest way to upgrade your Delta seat.

You can receive cash upgrade offers:

• While booking

• In My Trips (after booking)

• Through email upgrade offers

• During online check-in

• Directly at the airport

Cash upgrades are available for:

• Comfort+

• First Class

• Premium Select

• Delta One (when seats remain)

Why cash upgrades are popular:

• Often the lowest price when Delta needs to fill premium cabin seats

• Frequently available 24–72 hours before departure

• No need for miles or elite status

2. Upgrade Using SkyMiles

You can use your SkyMiles to upgrade from:

• Main Cabin → Comfort+

• Main Cabin → First Class

• Main Cabin → Delta One

• Premium Select → Delta One

Typical SkyMiles upgrade ranges:

Route Type	Comfort+ Upgrade	First Class Upgrade	Delta One Upgrade
Domestic	5,000–15,000 miles	9,000–35,000 miles	20,000–45,000 miles (on select routes)
Transcontinental	10,000–25,000 miles	20,000–40,000 miles	45,000–85,000 miles
International	15,000–40,000 miles	30,000–80,000 miles	60,000–160,000 miles

Good-value upgrade routes include:

• JFK–LAX

• BOS–LAX

• ATL–LHR

• SEA–AMS

Miles upgrades are best when you want a guaranteed premium seat and find a reasonably priced redemption.

3. Complimentary Medallion Member Upgrades

Delta’s complimentary upgrades are one of the biggest perks of Medallion status.

Elite priority order:

1. Diamond Medallion

2. Platinum Medallion

3. Gold Medallion

4. Silver Medallion

Eligible complimentary upgrades:

• Comfort+ (all elites)

• First Class (most domestic & regional routes)

• Delta One (select domestic flights only)

Upgrade Windows (When Complimentary Upgrades Clear):

Status Level	Comfort+ Window	First Class / Delta One Window
Diamond	120 hours	120 hours
Platinum	72 hours	72 hours
Gold	48 hours	48 hours
Silver	24 hours	24 hours

Medallion upgrades depend heavily on route demand, fare class, and time of day.

4. Upgrade with Delta Regional Upgrade Certificates (RUCs)

Available to Platinum and Diamond Medallion members.

Best for:

• Domestic First Class

• Comfort+ to First Class upgrades

• Select short international routes

Benefits:

• Confirmable upgrades (often instantly)

• Higher priority than complimentary upgrades

• Useful on competitive business routes

5. Upgrade with Delta Global Upgrade Certificates (GUCs)

A top-tier benefit for Diamond Medallions choosing the “Choice Benefits” package.

Best uses:

• Main Cabin → Delta One on international routes

• Premium Select → Delta One Suites

• Upgrades on partner airlines (KLM, Air France, Virgin Atlantic)

Global Upgrade Certificates are the most valuable upgrade currency Delta offers.

6. Upgrade Through Bid (Delta Upgrade with Offer Email)

Some travelers receive “Your Trip Extras” emails with the option to place a bid upgrade.

How it works:

• Delta gives a minimum and maximum bid range

• You bid any amount within the range

• If accepted, you are charged the bid amount

Bid upgrades can be a good deal when premium cabins are undersold.

7. Upgrade at the Airport / Gate

This is often the cheapest last-minute upgrade option.

Where to check:

• Airport kiosk

• Check-in desk

• Gate agent screen

Delta sometimes discounts First Class or Delta One upgrades heavily at the airport to fill remaining seats.

How to Upgrade Delta Seats After Booking (Step-by-Step)

Method 1 — Upgrade Online

1. Visit delta.com

2. Click My Trips

3. Select your reservation

4. Choose Upgrade with Miles or Buy an Upgrade

5. Review price

6. Confirm upgrade

This is the easiest method for most travelers.

Method 2 — Upgrade on the Delta App

1. Open the Delta app

2. Go to Trips

3. Tap your flight

4. Select Upgrade Cabin

5. Choose cash or miles

6. Complete the purchase

The app often shows upgrade availability sooner than the website.

Method 3 — Call Delta Reservations

Best for:

• Multi-city trips

• International flights

• Mixed-cabin itineraries

• When seats appear available but won’t process online

Delta can sometimes manually override technical issues to process an upgrade.

Delta Seat Upgrade Costs (Comfort+, First Class & Delta One)

Below are the typical Delta seat upgrade cost ranges (based on public pricing averages and fare patterns).

Delta Comfort+ Upgrade Cost

• Domestic: $39–$129

• International: $100–$250

First Class Upgrade Cost

• Domestic: $129–$399

• Premium routes: $300–$800

Premium Select Upgrade Cost

• International routes: $250–$600

Delta One Upgrade Cost

• International: $600–$1,800

• Domestic premium routes: $300–$600

Is a Delta Seat Upgrade Worth It?

Comfort+ — Worth It If You Want:

• ✔ Extra legroom

• ✔ Early boarding

• ✔ More overhead bin space

Best for tall travelers or long domestic flights.

First Class — Worth It If You Want:

• ✔ Wider seats

• ✔ More recline

• ✔ Premium food and drinks

• ✔ Dedicated flight attendant

Best for premium comfort on U.S. routes.

Delta One — Worth It If You Want:

• ✔ Lie-flat seats

• ✔ Privacy doors (on select aircraft)

• ✔ Premium dining & wine

• ✔ Lounge access

• ✔ Luxury, sleep, and space

Delta One is one of the best business-class experiences in the U.S.

How to Get a Free Delta Seat Upgrade

Best Ways to Score a Free Upgrade

• Earn Medallion Status

• Book higher fare classes (Y, B, M clear upgrades faster)

• Fly midweek

• Choose flights with larger aircraft (like A350 or 767-400)

• Avoid business-heavy routes

When Free Upgrades Typically Happen

• During the Medallion upgrade window

• At check-in

• At the gate if seats remain

Delta Upgrade Priority — How Delta Decides Who Gets Upgraded First

Delta uses a strict hierarchy when processing upgrades.

Order of priority:

1. Medallion status level

2. Fare class paid

3. Upgrade certificates (GUCs/RUCs)

4. Delta Amex credit card holders

5. Time of check-in

6. Partner airline elite status

This means even low-level elites can occasionally get First Class or Comfort+ upgrades when flights aren’t full.

Best Tricks to Increase Your Chances of a Delta Upgrade

• Fly Tuesdays and Wednesdays

• Avoid elite-heavy routes like ATL–LAX or JFK–SFO

• Check flight loads using tools like ExpertFlyer

• Split companion reservations (PNR split increases upgrade odds)

• Use Delta SkyMiles Amex cards for small priority bumps

• Choose aircraft with larger premium cabins

  • A321neo

  • A350

  • 767 variants

Delta Seat Upgrade Refunds and Rules

Upgrades are refundable in these cases:

• Delta cancels your flight

• You are involuntarily downgraded

• You voluntarily cancel a refundable ticket

Miles are automatically returned if:

• The upgrade was not fulfilled

• You switch to a non-upgrade eligible flight

Upgrades are not refundable when:

• You purchased a nonrefundable upgrade

• You voluntarily downgrade or change flights without upgrade availability

FAQs — Delta Seat Upgrades

Can I upgrade Delta seats after check-in?

Yes. You can upgrade:

• In the app

• At kiosks

• At the gate

Prices can be cheaper close to departure.

Does Delta give free upgrades?

Yes — but only to Medallion elite members.

How early should you request an upgrade?

The earlier the better. Complimentary upgrades clear:

• Diamond: 120 hours out

• Platinum: 72 hours

• Gold: 48 hours

• Silver: 24 hours

Can I upgrade award tickets?

Yes — award tickets are upgrade-eligible with:

• Miles

• Cash

• Upgrade certificates

Can I upgrade Basic Economy?

Basic Economy is not eligible for paid or complimentary upgrades in most cases.

Comparison Table: Delta Upgrade Options