Earlier today, we posted that Delta Announces More Major SkyMiles Changes, with a bunch of changes from redeeming miles, what qualifies as MQDs and new transcontinental upgrade rules with Global upgrades.

Delta Removing Diamond Medallion Upgrades on Transcon Routes

As a reminder, for the transcontinental upgrade changes, Delta states that you can use Regional Upgrade Certificates in addition to Global Upgrade Certificates for a Delta One seat on eligible transcontinental flights starting July 21, 2015.* Regional Certificates are part of the wide array of Choice Benefits you enjoy as a Platinum Medallion member.

What they DON’T state is that stating August 1st, Diamond Medallions will NO longer receive complimentary upgrades on transcontinental routes. Right now, Diamond Medallions receive complimentary upgrades on transcontinental flights between New York (JFK)-Los Angeles and San Francisco, if booked in a paid fare class, and traveling alone (without anyone else in the reservation). This has been confirmed with several Delta folks, including multiple phone reps, but you won’t see anything posted about this online, because it was an advertised benefit to begin with, but any phone rep should be able to confirm this.

However with Delta, when you get something good, you have to give something up, and in order to be able to use your regional Upgrade Certificates on transcons, they’re gonna take away the free upgrades all together. To me, this is a HUGE negative for Diamond Medallions and a win for Platinum Medallions (since they currently don’t get upgrades on this route).

Bottom Line

Good bye complimentary Medallion upgrades on transcons. If you want to upgrade on JFK-LAX/SFO, you’ll have to now use either a Global or Regional upgrade certificate.