Delta has discontinued SkyMiles Mileage Upgrades on many markets including within the U.S. and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America. These mileage awards used to book into the same fare class (OY/RY) fare class where Regional Upgrades would as well, meaning the inventory was the same.

The biggest complaint with SkyMiles Mileage Upgrades, was that the upgrade award space wasn’t available and that you’d have to waitlist, except these types of upgrade requests wouldn’t carry over on the date of departure to the airport standby list, whereas Regional and Global Upgrade certificates do.

Delta recently launched a New Mileage Upgrade for SkyMiles Members, where SkyMiles can now upgrade their tickets using SkyMiles online. It’s not just for First Class or Business Class either – Main Cabin passengers can upgrade to Comfort Plus or First Class.

However unlike the SkyMiles Upgrade Awards, you’re essentially using your SkyMiles to pay the difference from coach to First/Business class, and some of these prices can be quite steep.

Delta responded with the following: 

The introduction of post-purchase upgrades using miles via intuitive, self-service digital functionality has meant we’ve been able to vastly expand the availability of these upgrades to benefit more customers.

With the post-purchase upgrade using SkyMiles, you’d have to shell out 89,800 SkyMiles to upgrade from coach to Business class from Los Angeles to New York (JFK).

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below about Delta discontinuing SkyMIles Mileage Upgrades.

Hat Tip: The Points Guy