Delta Fare Class V

A comprehensive explanation of Delta fare class V including SkyMiles medallion earnings and upgrade eligibility information.

What is Delta Fare Class V?

Delta Fare Class V or more commonly known as Main Cabin (V) is a revenue fare/booking class of service on Delta Air Lines. The V fare class is the lowes (least expensive) fare classes in the Main Cabin and tickets are considered deeply discounted and will usually have advanced purchase or stay duration rules. This fare class is eligible for complimentary upgrades for SkyMiles members who hold Medallion status.

Below is a human-readable explanation of this fare class and the expectations passengers should have when flying with a V fare class.

Information about Delta Air Lines Fare Class V

Fare Class V booking information

Important information about Fare Class V on Delta Air Lines.

How expensive is Fare Class V?

Fare Class V is marketed as a Deeply Discounted Main Cabin fare class, but is considered the lowest (least expensive) fare class with 10 higher revenue fare classes for purchase. If you’re looking for flights and see Fare Class V showing as the lowest fare class available, it means the flight/route you are booking is cheapest you’ll find.

How to find V fare inventory on Delta Air Lines

Tickets purchased in Fare Class V will the cheapest due to open inventory, advanced purchase or length of stay ticketing rules. To book a cheaper fare, search other airlines or adjacent origination/destination points.

SkyMiles earnings on Delta Air Lines Fare Class V

SkyMiles frequent flyer earnings

Explore what you'll earn as a SkyMiles member flying on Delta Air Lines with a ticket in Fare Class V.

  • Medallion Bonus: yes
  • Minimum MQMs earned: 500

SkyMiles Member

100% MQM

Based on distance flown1. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


1:1 MQS

Based on number of flight segments flown. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


MQD earnings based on Ticket Price

Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


5 SkyMiles earned per $1 MQD

SkyMiles are earned and redeemed for travel, upgrades and other eligible purchases. SkyMiles never expire.

Silver Medallion

100% MQM

Based on distance flown1. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


1:1 MQS

Based on number of flight segments flown. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


MQD earnings based on Ticket Price

Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


7 SkyMiles earned per $1 MQD

SkyMiles are earned and redeemed for travel, upgrades and other eligible purchases. SkyMiles never expire.

Gold Medallion

100% MQM

Based on distance flown1. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


1:1 MQS

Based on number of flight segments flown. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


MQD earnings based on Ticket Price

Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


8 SkyMiles earned per $1 MQD

SkyMiles are earned and redeemed for travel, upgrades and other eligible purchases. SkyMiles never expire.

Platinum Medallion

100% MQM

Based on distance flown1. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


1:1 MQS

Based on number of flight segments flown. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


MQD earnings based on Ticket Price

Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


9 SkyMiles earned per $1 MQD

SkyMiles are earned and redeemed for travel, upgrades and other eligible purchases. SkyMiles never expire.

Diamond Medallion

100% MQM

Based on distance flown1. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


1:1 MQS

Based on number of flight segments flown. Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


MQD earnings based on Ticket Price

Earns toward status and resets each calendar year.


11 SkyMiles earned per $1 MQD

SkyMiles are earned and redeemed for travel, upgrades and other eligible purchases. SkyMiles never expire.

1 Distance calculations are at the sole discretion of Delta Air Lines; however, calculations generally follow the great circle distance between airports.

Delta Air Lines Fare Class V

SkyMiles upgrades with Fare Class V ticket

Important upgrade eligibility and upgrade order information with a Fare Class V ticket on Delta Air Lines.

  • Loyalty program linked to PNR: SkyMiles
  • Complimentary upgrade eligible: Yes

Where is Delta Fare Class V on the upgrade list

Complimentary upgrades on Delta Air Lines

Complimentary upgrades are based upon availability and are affected by Irregular Operations (IROPS) and gate agents not following operational guidelines to upgrade SkyMiles Medallion members with seats available. Your mileage may vary.

Upgrading to Comfort+

Upgrades from Main Cabin to Comfort+ are complimentary for Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members flying on Delta Air Lines operated flights with a Comfort+ cabin.

Upgrading to First Class

Upgrades from from Main Cabin to First Class are complimentary for Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members flying on Delta Air Lines operated flights with a First Class cabin.

  • Widebody aircraft with lie-flat seats flying on domestic routes where the cabin is marketed as First Class are available for complimentary upgrade.
  • Widebody aircraft with lie-flat seats flying select transcontinental routes marketed as Delta One are available for complimentary upgrade on day of departure only.

Upgrading to Premium Cabins (Delta Premium Select / Delta One)

Upgrades from Main Cabin to Delta Premium Select are not complimentary; however there are two ways to get upgraded to Delta Premium Select / Delta One.

  1. If there is an oversold situation in lower cabin of service, Medallion members may receive a operational upgrade (OpUp) to Delta Premium Select or Delta One to alleviate the oversold situation in cabin.
  2. A Platinum or Diamond Medallion may apply a Regional/Global upgrade certificate anytime from booking and up to 3 hours before departure.
    • From Main Cabin (or Comfort+) to Delta Premium Select, Fare Class RV must be available to immediately confirm.
    • From Main Cabin (or Comfort+) to First Class, Fare Class OV must be available to immediately confirm.
    • From Main Cabin (or Comfort+) to Delta Premium Select, Fare Class OK must be available to immediately confirm.
    • From Delta Premium Select to Delta One, Fare Class OK must be available to immediately confirm.
    • If the above fare classes are not available, you can be placed on the waitlist. Waitlisted passengers can be cleared anytime up to flight departure.
    • Waitlisting keeps your RUC/GUC open until the upgrade has cleared and your ticket is reissued.

Official upgrade rules found on Delta.com.

Mileage Upgrade Awards (MUA) changes (as of 08/22/2023)

Mileage Upgrade Awards on Delta-marketed and operated flights departing from France, Ghana and the United Kingdom may upgrade on the following paid fare classes: P, A, G, Y, B, M, H, Q or K.

For flights marketed and/or operated by Air France/KLM, Mileage Upgrade Awards may be used for a one-class upgrade when the paid fare class is Y, B or M.

For Air France-operated flights, Mileage Upgrade Awards are available from Economy to Premium Economy to Business only on transatlantic Joint Venture flights between U.S. cities and Paris (CDG and ORY).

For Delta-marketed flights operated by Virgin Atlantic, Mileage Upgrade Awards are available from Economy to Premium Economy or Upper Class, as well as Premium Economy to Upper Class. Mileage Upgrade Awards are available from Y, B, M, H, Q and K paid fare classes from Economy Cabin and P, A and G paid fare classes from Premium Economy.

For Delta-marketed flights operated by Aeromexico, Mileage Upgrade Awards are available on Delta’s published fare classes in Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U or T for travel between the United States and Mexico.

Official mileage upgrade awards rules found on Delta.com

  1. Jamie Betesh says:

    In February, I booked a ticket in V class but have since had an accident and need more comfortable seating. How do I go about getting an upgrade? Thanks!

    • Fare Class V is a main cabin fare class. To move to Comfort+ or First/Premium Select/Delta One, you’ll need to rebook in the cabin of your choosing. They will automatically rebook you into the lowest (cheapest) available fare class in the cabin you choose.

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