Delta Fare Class W

Fare class W is a revenue fare/booking class that is marketed as Delta Comfort+ on Delta Air Lines mainline and code share flights. A ticket booked in the W fare class will be supported by a main cabin fare basis code to provide upgrade rankings for the ticket. This fare class is eligible for complimentary upgrades.

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

How expensive is Fare Class W?

Fare Class W is marketed as a Comfort+ revenue fare class. While there aren’t many Comfort+ fare classes, the fare basis code is what is used to calculate pricing on the W fare class. Unfortunately, fare basis codes have been eliminated from Delta.com and the flight receipts over the years to obscure pricing and fare rules from the consumer. If you’re looking for flights and see Fare Class W showing as the lowest fare class available, it means there is availability in the Comfort+ cabin.

Tickets purchased in Fare Class W will set by the fare basis code. To book a cheaper fare class, make the following changes (if you can):

• Adjust your departure/return dates
• Search for alternate airports or co-terminals
• Search for alternate routing

If you are a frequent flyer with additional insight or are with Delta seeking to clarify the information provided, please contact me.

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Complimentary upgrades on Delta Air Lines

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