To avoid both the splurge of a Delta First Class ticket and a not-so-comfortable Main Cabin seat, you can upgrade to Delta Premium Select by securing a paid upgrade at booking, after booking, or at check-in with cash, Mileage Upgrade Award with SkyMiles, or free upgrade with certificates.
Flying on a long-haul route is not just a part of your trip but also a critical window for rest and last-minute preparation, but if you are sitting on a standard economy seat, you know how it feels, cramped legs, narrow armrests, and the most frustrating countdown in your mind until landing. To solve all these problems for you, Delta Premium Select exists to offer a much better experience and comfort than Main Cabin that too without the full ticket price of Delta First Class.
Wondering about how you can make your way to Delta Premium Select from Main Cabin? Don’t worry, this guide sheds light on every practical way to upgrade Delta flight to Premium Select.
How Can You Upgrade To Delta Premium Select?
Here are the methods for the Delta Premium Select upgrade, with helpful notes on when each method makes sense to use. Generally, you can upgrade your ticket and move into Premium Select on Delta with a cash upgrade, SkyMiles upgrade, or global certificate upgrade. Let’s get into all the possible Delta upgrade methods and find ways to get you a Premium Select seat.
Upgrade with Cash
If there is the most straightforward and convenient way to upgrade your seat from Main Cabin to Premium Select on Delta, it has to be this one. Purchasing an upgrade with cash is often the fastest way to give you a confirmed extra space seat in Premium Select, and you also don’t face the upgrade uncertainty later. Not only this, the option to purchase a Delta upgrade remains open from the time of booking the flight to the time you reach the departure gate, allowing you to secure a Delta Premium Select upgrade at different phases of the booking, including during booking, after booking, or at check-in.
At Booking
You must use the Fly Delta app or visit Delta’s official website to get a Premium Select upgrade during flight booking. While selecting flights, you can see the Premium Select option right next to the other fare types. So, you can choose Premium Select from the beginning to keep your Delta Premium Select flight booking cost-efficient, as you will secure the seat before demand rises.
The steps you will need to perform to get Delta Premium Select at booking are:
- Visit Delta’s website or open the Fly Delta app.
- Search for flights.
- Select the Premium Select fare from the fare options.
- Proceed to the Checkout page to pay for Premium Select.
- Use the cash option to pay and confirm your Delta Premium Select seat instantly.
After Booking
Upgrading to Premium Select after booking is the most used option as it gives you flexibility when you first booked Main Cabin or Comfort+, but later decide you need more comfort. By using this method, you not only get flexibility but may also get a bargain cost to upgrade to Delta Premium Select if demand softens. However, Delta recalculates the upgrade price frequently, thus you can see sometimes price drops and sometimes rises.
Here are the steps you need to follow after booking Main Cabin or Comfort+ to secure a Premium Select upgrade:
- Log in to your account on Delta’s website or app, and open My Trips.
- Select your Delta flight that you want to upgrade.
- Find an upgrade option or a prompt showing an amount required to move to Premium Select.
- Pay the amount and confirm your Premium Select upgrade.
Aware Tip: Delta often sells remaining Premium Select seats at a discounted price closer to departure. So keep checking the Delta upgrade price periodically to get an upgrade at a lower price. Sometimes re-booking an entire Premium Select seat at the original price costs less than purchasing an upgrade.
At Check-in or Departure Gate
Trying to secure a Premium Select seat with an upgrade on the day of departure, at check-in, or at the departure gate always comes with high uncertainty as the availability of seats is the biggest concern, but if available, it can be the most price-effective and convenient option. Delta offers upgrades at check-in or gate, if Premium Select has open seats closer to the departure. You can check Delta’s last-minute offer to upgrade to Premium Select during online check-in, in the Fly Delta app, at the self-service kiosk, and at the departure gate.
Read more: How to Upgrade to First Class on Delta?
Upgrade with SkyMiles
If you are a frequent Delta flyer and you have a large bank of SkyMiles, you can opt for this method to upgrade to Premium Select and cover the Delta Premium Select upgrade cost with miles. Yes, you read that right, SkyMiles can also be used for Delta upgrades. To use SkyMiles to purchase a Premium Select upgrade, you can do the following:
- Log in to your SkyMiles account and go to My Trips.
- Look for an option “Upgrade with Miles”.
- If an upgrade with miles is available, you can see the mileage required and proceed to the checkout page. If you can’t see the upgrade with the miles option, call a SkyMiles representative.
- Redeem your SkyMiles to confirm your premium select seat.
Aware Tip: The mileage upgrade award cost is dynamically priced like cash fares, and often results in a poor redemption value like $0.01 per mile or less.
Upgrade with Certificates
You can access this method to get a Delta Premium Select upgrade only if you are a Delta Medallion member with Diamond or Platinum status. It is because Global Upgrade Certificates (GUC) that apply on long-haul international routes, can allow upgrade even when space is limited, and it is so powerful that you can jump up to two classes of service by using a single GUC, which means you can not only directly upgrade to Premium Select but also to Delta One from Main Cabin.
To use Delta certificates for a Premium Select upgrade, you can not use the online method, but you must call Delta reservations to apply the certificate.
Learn more: How to Upgrade to Business Class on Delta?
Final Words
Delta Premium Select upgrade makes your long-haul flight pass more comfortably and helps you arrive more rested and refreshed. To achieve an upgrade to the Premium Select cabin, where seats are wider, comfort is sweetened, and design is better than Main Cabin seats, you need to decide which method is your best bet, be it a paid upgrade, using SkyMiles for comfort, or applying Global Upgrade Certificates.
FAQ’s
What is included in Delta Premium Select?
Delta Premium Select is a package of enhanced amenities, services, and facilities, as it includes more spacious seats with ample legroom and larger recline than economy seats, an enticing entertainment system, upscale dining, and a premium amenity kit.
Can I get upgraded to Premium Select on Delta?
Yes, you can easily get upgraded to Premium Select on Delta using cash, miles, or Medallion elite status, unless you have not purchased a basic economy fare, you have already checked in, and seats are full.
Is it worth it to upgrade from Delta Comfort to Premium Select?
Yes, it is worth upgrading to Premium Select from Delta Comfort if you are flying on a long-haul route and you need to arrive rested, as you get wider and more reclining seats in the Premium Select cabin.
Is Delta Premium Select equivalent to first class?
No, Premium Select on Delta is not equivalent to first class because Premium Select and first class are both distinct cabin classes, where Premium Select is a premium economy product, and First Class is a premium product on Delta’s domestic flights.
Can you get upgraded to Delta Premium Select international?
Yes, you can upgrade to Delta Premium Select while traveling on an international route by purchasing an upgrade with cash or SkyMiles or using a Global Upgrade Certificate if you have a Diamond Medallion status.
Is it worth it to upgrade to Delta Premium Select?
Yes, it is worth it to upgrade to Delta Premium Select, especially if you are flying on an international route, as it provides a comfortable middle ground between Main Cabin and Business Class, with more legroom and luxurious services at a price tag where the difference from economy is not too large.
