US domestic on DL and an Au status over a year

So, got a work trip booked for September all in PE (and no miles left to upgrade) - (but then we did get 2x2 G's in under a year, so can't really complain that much) - so get the clubhouse again courtesy of Au status, twice more in fact until it expires (sadly). Will be guesting a colleague in, so he's a very happy person from that!

This will be my first US connetion on the Au status... onto Nashville before I revert back to Ag - as all flights this year have been direct on VS metal so far, no connections.

Anyhow, NYLON (as know you do these like me) - if about - is there any advantage to putting FC number in advance on the DL website to request upgrades on a domestic leg following a PE flight? Or will this happen automatically from the VS site?

So I thought I'd mention my Au status over the year since gained and benefits got as a whole (following a threat last year).. that I would nto have got without the Au...

Dec 14, Clubhouse + lounge at far end (Mumbai) before route cancelled (which is how I got the Au status - a sore point). Arrivals lounge on arrival was used.

Mar 15, Clubhouse x2 - LHR and JFK - and arrivals lounge used (seat in Y due to work policy, but an upgradable Y). Excellent - even though didn't have miles to upgrade (see above!).

April 15, Clubhouse x2, LHR and LAX - however... was spoiled by fact this was already in UC, so not a gold benefit - and was a G so no tier points. If I had booked a M... well I'd be a little closer to retaining Au, would have reached 30TP in the year, but wife ruled a G was needed in case we needed to cancel.

No flights except BA....

Coming up :
Sept 15, Clubhouse - and hopefully AU status upgrades on DL domestic. Fly back via ATL - Will be skipping the DL lounge at Atlanta, as the PP lounge is far superior from experience in last year (was in atlanta last summer twice). Arrivals lounge will be used in LHR.

Oct 15 (2 days after return from above)... LGW-> MCO - Clubhouse for me and wife, with Delta lounge on return.

So overall I'll have had:
9 Lounge visits we otherwise would not have had + a few guest admissions.
And a far more plsent experience than otherwise received.

Not a bad experience, just a shame I can't retain the status ...

Hello!

I would definitely manually put in your VS FF number for the DL sector on DL's website and not leave it to VS to automatically populate that information on DL's systems.

Is your DL flight to BNA a connecting flight from your VS one (i.e. all on the same PNR), or on a separate ticket? I assume it is. My experience is that domestic flights on DL metal, but not booked with DL, do not always treat VS Au the same way with regard to automatic upgrades as a direct DL booking. This is because sometimes the VS booking puts the DL sector into a non-upgradeable DL bucket (i.e. an E bucket).

However, if your DL sector is on a plane that has Comfort+ you should be able to pick that seat for free, or at a discount, once your VS AU FF number is put in the system (assuming, again, you're not in a DL E bucket).

I should also say that any benefits which DL offer VS Au pax do not have any guest privileges, so your colleague (unless he/she has DL status) cannot be upgraded to DL First, or Comfort+.

Be warned that the standby list for First Class upgrades on DL domestic flights can be very, very long (I've seen 50 odd people on it before) and VS Golds don't rank that highly. So while it can be (and has been) done, the odds are stacked against you I'm afraid.

As NYLON says though, as a VS Au you are entitled to a free Economy Comfort upgrade - however the rules have changed quite recently and you can now only get this 72 hours before departure, subject to availability.

Be warned that the standby list for First Class upgrades on DL domestic flights can be very, very long (I've seen 50 odd people on it before) and VS Golds don't rank that highly. So while it can be (and has been) done, the odds are stacked against you I'm afraid.

+1 to that. If your DL domestic sector is not first thing in the morning or last thing at night, and not on a Monday or Friday, you'll stand a better chance of getting the upgrade. I've just been lucky recently. DL has also recently reduced the upgrade opportunities for their own elites in an attempt to sell more revenue J tickets.

Thanks Nylon. It's all booked on one PNR on virgin stock. Hoping for a chance as although it's Atlanta on a Monday its a 2pm connection both ways flying in and out in Monday's. Shouldn't be the busiest time - I hope. Getting priority boarding and e+ seating will do me !

Am aware my colleague won't get lounge access in U.S. Airports but then I do have a Amex plat with guest privs for that to PP lounges.

When you find your booking on DL's website, check the fare bucket (not the fare bucket reported on the VS bucket, as it's often different); that will give you an indication of whether your sector can be upgraded or not. DL will give you a different booking reference too for that DL sector.

I think your Amex Platinum card should get your colleague into a DL SkyClub (there seems to be about 50 of them at ATL) as your guest for a fee (although I'm not really sure it's worth it). There is also "The Club" at ATL, in concourse F, which is pretty dismal and miles away from the domestic terminals.

Anyway, good luck and report back!

I personally prefer the club at ATL to the DL lounges! Better whiskeys behind the bar! The bartender last summer at least had some special ones hidden away which myself and a colleague had a good sample of!

Yes, I suppose if I had to pay, I'd pick The Club over a DL SkyClub. I think we're just ridiculously spoiled by the VS Club Houses! Just waiting for Amex to build a Centurion Lounge at ATL...