Status: Checked against official sources on 18 October 2026
FREQUENT FLYER GLOSSARY
What is a waitlist upgrade?
A waitlist upgrade is an upgrade request whose outcome depends on availability. Delta Air Lines states that Medallion Complimentary Upgrades are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or in all markets, and that Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates have a higher priority than Medallion Complimentary Upgrade requests. [1]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- An upgrade request is not guaranteed: Delta states that Medallion Complimentary Upgrades are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. [1]
- Delta ranks Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates above Medallion Complimentary Upgrade requests. [1]
- Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates have different fare coverage. Global covers paid, published Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort and Delta Main fares; Regional covers paid, published Delta Comfort and Delta Main fares. Both exclude Delta Basic experiences. [1]
- Certificate-based upgrades are time-limited: certificates must be booked and flown by the end of the Medallion Year associated with the Choice Benefit selection. [1]
How does an upgrade waitlist work?
Delta's published rules treat upgrades as requests that are subject to availability rather than as guaranteed seats. Medallion Complimentary Upgrades may not be available on all flights or in all markets. [1]
Delta also publishes a priority rule for two upgrade instruments: Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates have a higher priority than Medallion Complimentary Upgrade requests. [1]
Those certificate types carry their own eligibility rules, including the fares and flights on which they can be used. [1]
How is upgrade priority decided?
Delta publishes one priority rule: Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates have a higher priority than Medallion Complimentary Upgrade requests. [1]
The certificates are Choice Benefits: Diamond Medallion Members may select Global or Regional Upgrade Certificates, and Platinum Medallion Members may select Regional Upgrade Certificates. [1]
That priority rule applies to those Delta instruments as described on the Choice Benefits page. Medallion Complimentary Upgrades remain subject to availability. [1]
Which fares and routes can be upgraded?
Eligibility depends on the certificate type. Only the Global Upgrade Certificate covers Delta Premium Select; both types cover Delta Comfort and Delta Main paid, published fares; both exclude Delta Basic experiences. [1]
| Item | Global Upgrade Certificate | Regional Upgrade Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | Delta and select partner-operated flights | Delta flights |
| Paid fares | All paid, published Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort and Delta Main fares, except Delta Basic experiences | All paid, published Delta Comfort and Delta Main fares, except Delta Basic experiences |
| Other eligible tickets | Award Travel and Miles + Cash tickets on Delta-operated flights, Pay with Miles tickets, Companion Certificates and tickets booked as part of a Delta Vacations package | Award Travel and Miles + Cash tickets on Delta-operated flights, Pay with Miles tickets, Companion Certificates and tickets booked as part of a Delta Vacations package |
| Who is covered | The member and/or multiple companions, one way | The member and/or multiple companions, one way |
Route coverage is stated separately for the Regional certificate: it can be used on the same routes as Medallion Complimentary Upgrades, including all flights with Delta First and the domestic Delta One experience. [1]
Exceptions and limits
- Availability. Delta's Medallion Complimentary Upgrades are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or in all markets, so a request can fail for reasons unrelated to the member's own eligibility. [1]
- Excluded fare family. Delta Basic experiences fall outside both the Global and the Regional Upgrade Certificate fare rules. [1]
- Deadlines. Delta's certificates must be booked and flown by the end of the Medallion Year associated with that Choice Benefit selection, regardless of when the selection was made; certificates chosen for the 2026 Medallion Year must be booked and flown by January 31, 2027, and those chosen for the 2027 Medallion Year by January 31, 2028. [1]
- One selection. Diamond Medallion Members may only select Upgrade Certificates once across their 2026 or 2027 Medallion Year selections. [1]
- Companions. Delta's one-way Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates can be used for the member and/or multiple companions. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Does a waitlisted upgrade guarantee a seat in the higher cabin?
No. Delta states that Medallion Complimentary Upgrades are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. [1]
At Delta, what ranks above a complimentary upgrade request?
Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates have a higher priority than Medallion Complimentary Upgrade requests. [1]
Can a Delta upgrade certificate be used on a Delta Basic experience?
No. Both certificate types cover paid, published fares but exclude Delta Basic experiences; the Regional certificate also does not cover Delta Premium Select. [1]
How long does a Delta upgrade certificate stay usable?
It must be booked and flown by the end of the Medallion Year tied to the Choice Benefit selection: by January 31, 2027 for the 2026 Medallion Year, and by January 31, 2028 for the 2027 Medallion Year. [1]
Can one certificate upgrade more than one person?
Yes. Delta's one-way Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates can be used for the member and/or multiple companions. [1]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. The rules described here are Delta Air Lines' published terms.
- Delta Air Lines Choice Benefits, including Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates, checked 18 October 2026