Top-tier Delta passengers can no longer make a phone call for themselves (and possibly a headache or two).

The Atlanta-based airline has started implementing a much-anticipated new feature to its website this week that enables Diamond and Platinum Medallion members to apply for upgrade certificates during the booking process.

Any unused Regional Upgrade Certificates or Global Upgrade Certificates can now be used to seek an upgrade when making a new reservation if you are a top-tier Delta traveller.

When checking out on Delta.com, a new window titled "Upgrade Certificate Request" displays. You can choose the sort of certificate you want to apply for depending on the flight you are booking. RUCs are only applicable on specific routes, so keep that in mind.

Once you've finished checking out, you'll get an email and push notifications in the Fly Delta mobile app confirming your upgrade request and informing you whether a new seat has been assigned to you or if you've been placed on the waitlist.

You can check upgrade availability before you book on Delta's website as long as you're logged in to your Platinum or Diamond account. This service was introduced in March 2021.

Only new flights booked on Delta.com are eligible to redeem upgrade certificates online. This option is not available for existing reservations. The airline intends to implement the feature on the My Trips website during the next few months, and it also intends to implement a similar option within the Fly Delta app within the next few weeks.

Even though this function is still in its infant stages, Delta is alleviating a significant source of frustration for top-tier Medallion members. In the past, these members had to call Delta to get their upgrade requests processed. This manual method has been a big negative to Delta's upgrade system, especially when one considers the amount of time that must be spent waiting for a representative and searching for one who is knowledgeable about redeeming upgrades.

Drake Castaeda, a spokeswoman for Delta, provided the following information in a statement that confirmed the new feature:

We can't wait for our users to get their hands on this much-anticipated upgrade so they may share in our excitement. SkyMiles continues to be a priority for Delta, as evidenced by the company's continued commitment to the programme, which includes actively soliciting feedback from members and adapting features to better meet their needs while simultaneously facilitating more streamlined travel.
This new function was first hinted at by Delta back in October, around the same time that the airline revealed increased Medallion requirements for earning status in 2024 and beyond. Delta initially committed to introducing the capability to redeem upgrades online by the beginning of the next year; however, the airline is already ahead of schedule by a few months.

This is simply the most recent modification in a long line of adjustments that Delta has made to the process of upgrading. It started at the beginning of 2021 when the airline offered the capability to search directly on Delta.com for available upgrade space. Before then, the only way to find out if an upgrade was available was to phone Delta and ask a representative to manually check your itinerary for you based on the dates and routes you provided.

This was a laborious process that irritated a significant number of Delta's most frequent fliers and jammed up Delta's phone lines.

Despite this, not all of the recent news has been positive regarding the situation. The carrier implemented several GUC-related operational changes earlier on in this year. You will move up one level of service with the use of Global Upgrade Certificates beginning on February 1, 2022. If you purchase a ticket for economy class, the only time you'll be able to confirm an upgrade to Premium Select is when you make your reservation.

After receiving confirmation of an upgrade to Premium Select, elite members will be added to the waitlist for Delta One 24 hours before their flight. This means that there is still a chance, albeit a less likely one of receiving a double upgrade.

Delta is now promising last-seat upgrade availability in long-haul premium economy as well as domestic and short-haul international first class as part of the new one-cabin regulation. However, many Diamond members have been dissatisfied with Delta's decision to restrict upgrades. This is especially true when compared to other airlines, such as American Airlines and United Airlines, which allow top-tier flyers to confirm business-class upgrades on three-cabin aircraft as early as the time of booking.

Concerning other airlines that compete with Delta, one example is United, which enables its Premier members to apply PlusPoints, the airline's form of upgrade currency, to both new and existing bookings made on United.com and through the mobile app. Delta is currently playing catch-up with United.

Although the American Airlines website allows you to check for systemwide upgrade availability, you will still need to phone the airline to apply an upgrade to a new or current reservation.

Although Delta Medallions will undoubtedly value the enhancements, the people who are most likely to come out on top are those who intend to call Delta customer service. Following the launch of the new online upgrade functionality, the airline's customer service lines should become noticeably less crowded.

Be sure to check out the following for additional information regarding upgrades with Delta:

• The definitive guide to earning a higher cabin class on Delta
• There is no problem with Delta's website; nevertheless, the process for redeeming upgrade certificates has been modified.
• How I was able to fly Delta One for the price of Premium by utilising a Global Upgrade Certificate Select
• Everything you need to know about using Delta upgrade certificates, including all of the tips and tricks
• The top credit cards offered by Delta in December 2022