Delta Air Lines Upgrade Guide

Delta Regional Upgrade Certificates (RUCs)

RUCs are the workhorse upgrade instrument for Platinum and Diamond Medallion members on domestic and short-haul routes. This guide covers how to earn them, where they work, and how to get the most value from each certificate.

What Are RUCs How to Earn Eligible Cabins Eligible Regions GUC vs RUC Strategy

Part of the Delta Upgrades Guide

What Are Regional Upgrade Certificates?

A Regional Upgrade Certificate (RUC) is an electronic upgrade instrument that moves you one cabin class higher on Delta-operated and Delta Connection flights within eligible domestic and short-haul international regions.

Key characteristics

One-cabin upgrade -- on Delta-operated and Delta Connection flights
Available to Platinum and Diamond Medallion -- 4 RUCs (Platinum) or up to 8 RUCs (Diamond) via Choice Benefits
Eligible regions -- US 50, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Bermuda, Central America, Northern South America
No co-pay -- no additional cash payment required
Pending inventory availability -- unlike GUCs which get immediate domestic access, RUC upgrades depend on open upgrade inventory
One-way travel -- each RUC covers a one-way trip including connections (max 4-hour domestic layover, 24-hour international layover)
Expiration -- RUCs expire on the last day of the Medallion Year in which they were earned

What RUCs are not

Not valid on international long-haul -- no transatlantic, transpacific, or intra-Asia routes
Not valid on partner airlines -- Delta-operated flights only; no AF, KLM, VS, KE, or AM
Not valid on connecting legs of international itineraries -- domestic segments of an international trip are excluded
Not "upon request" -- unlike GUCs, RUC upgrades require available inventory rather than granting immediate access
Not transferable -- RUCs are tied to your SkyMiles account and cannot be sold or given to another member

How to Earn Regional Upgrade Certificates

RUCs are earned exclusively through Delta Medallion Choice Benefits. Two tiers provide access.

Platinum Medallion

Platinum status requires $15,000 MQDs. As a Choice Benefits selection, Platinum members can choose 4 Regional Upgrade Certificates. This is the only certificate type available at the Platinum tier.

4 RUCs per year via Choice Benefits. One certificate selection per qualification.

Diamond Medallion

Diamond status requires $28,000 MQDs. Diamond members can choose up to 8 RUCs, or combine: 2 GUCs + 4 RUCs. One certificate selection per tier per year -- a Diamond who earned through Platinum could potentially receive certificates at both tiers.

Up to 8 RUCs, or 2 GUCs + 4 RUCs via Choice Benefits.

RUCs cannot be purchased. There is no cash option for buying Regional Upgrade Certificates. They are exclusively earned through Medallion Choice Benefits at the Platinum and Diamond tiers.

Eligible Cabin Upgrades

RUCs upgrade you one cabin class. The actual cabin depends on the aircraft configuration and route.

Upgrade Target	Booked Cabin	Upgraded To	Regions
Delta Comfort+	Main Cabin	Comfort+	All eligible regions
Domestic First	Main Cabin / Comfort+	First Class	Pending availability
Domestic Delta One	Main Cabin / Comfort+	Delta One	US 50 only
Domestic Premium Select	Main Cabin / Comfort+	Premium Select	US 50 only

Inventory-dependent. RUC upgrades are pending inventory availability, not "upon request" like GUCs. This means unsold premium seats may not be released for RUC upgrades even when empty.

Northern South America note. All cabins except Delta One are eligible in the Northern South America region.

Fare class eligibility

The following fare classes are eligible for RUC upgrades:

P A G S W Y B M H Q K L U T X V

Award tickets -- eligible, including Miles + Cash, Pay with Miles, Companion Certificates, and Delta Vacations packages
Basic Economy and Comfort Basic -- not eligible for RUC upgrades

Eligible Regions

RUCs are restricted to Delta's domestic and short-haul international network. Here is where they work -- and where they do not.

US 50

All domestic routes including Hawaii and Alaska

Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Bermuda

Short-haul international within North America

Central America

Delta-operated flights to the region

Northern South America

All cabins except Delta One

Southern South America

Requires GUC

Transatlantic

Requires GUC

Transpacific

Requires GUC

Intra-Asia / Oceania

Requires GUC

GUC vs. RUC Comparison

Understanding the differences between Global Upgrade Certificates and Regional Upgrade Certificates helps you decide which to select from Choice Benefits and when to use each.

Feature	GUC	RUC
Available to	Diamond only	Diamond and Platinum
Partner airlines	AF, KLM, VS, KE, AM	Delta-only
International long-haul	Yes (systemwide)	No
Domestic First / PS access	Upon request (immediate)	Pending inventory
Eligible regions	All worldwide	US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, N. South America
Waitlist on partners	Not available	N/A
Max per year (single selection)	4	8

Booking and Confirmation Rules

Understanding the RUC booking process helps you plan ahead and set realistic expectations for upgrade confirmation.

Applying a RUC

You can apply a RUC to your reservation on delta.com, through the Fly Delta app, or by calling Delta Reservations. Apply at least 3 hours before departure, though 24 hours is recommended for the best chance of confirmation. RUCs can be applied at the time of booking or added to an existing reservation.

Confirmation mechanics

Unlike GUCs, RUC upgrades are pending inventory availability. If upgrade inventory exists at the time you apply, the upgrade confirms immediately. If not, the RUC is placed on the waitlist and will clear automatically if and when space opens, based on Medallion priority.

Airport standby

If your RUC upgrade has not cleared before check-in, you are automatically added to the airport standby upgrade list. Upgrade certificates clear before complimentary Medallion upgrades, giving you priority over members relying on complimentary upgrades alone.

Companions

Each traveler needs their own RUC. Companions must be on the same or a linked reservation. You cannot use one RUC to upgrade multiple passengers.

Cancellation and reuse

If you cancel a flight with a confirmed or waitlisted RUC, the certificate is returned to your account within 2-3 weeks. It can be reused on a different flight within the original validity period. RUCs are only consumed when you actually fly in the upgraded cabin.

RUC Strategy: Where to Use Them

With a limited number of RUCs per year, strategic allocation matters. Focus on routes where the upgrade value is highest and complimentary upgrades are least likely to clear.

Longer domestic routes (best value)

Transcontinental and long domestic flights with lie-flat Delta One seats deliver the highest upgrade value. The cabin difference on a 5+ hour flight is significant, and these routes often have lower complimentary upgrade clear rates due to high demand.

Best routes: ATL-LAX, JFK-SFO, ATL-SEA

Hub-to-hub business routes (good value)

Major hub-to-hub routes on 3+ hour flights offer a meaningful domestic First Class upgrade. Business travelers fill these routes, and complimentary upgrades can be competitive. RUCs give you priority.

Best routes: ATL-ORD, ATL-DFW, MSP-LAX

Short hops (lower value)

On flights under 2 hours, the cabin difference is minimal and complimentary Medallion upgrades may clear anyway. Consider saving your RUCs for higher-value routes rather than burning them on short hops.

Save your RUC: ATL-CLT, ATL-BNA

Caribbean and Mexico (good value)

Leisure routes to the Caribbean and Mexico are excellent RUC candidates. Complimentary upgrade lists tend to be long on popular vacation routes, and the upgrade to First Class or Comfort+ makes a noticeable difference on 3-4 hour flights.

Best routes: ATL-CUN, JFK-SJU

How 2LNR Helps You Use RUCs

The challenge with RUCs is finding flights where upgrade inventory is actually available. 2LNR solves this.

Search before you book

Use the upgrade dashboard to find flights with confirmed upgrade availability. Book those flights, apply your RUC, and confirm instantly -- no waitlist.

Alert on your routes

Already booked with an RUC on waitlist? Set up real-time alerts for your route and dates. When upgrade space opens, you will know immediately.

Track expiration

As your RUC expiration approaches, use 2LNR to find any available route with open upgrade space. Better to use an RUC on a moderate-value route than let it expire.

Related guides: Delta Upgrades Overview | Delta GUC Guide | AA SWU Guide | Glossary

Frequently Asked Questions About Regional Upgrade Certificates

Who can earn Regional Upgrade Certificates?

Platinum Medallion members ($15,000 MQDs) can select 4 RUCs via Choice Benefits. Diamond Medallion members ($28,000 MQDs) can select up to 8 RUCs, or combine 2 GUCs + 4 RUCs. These are the only two tiers that provide access to RUCs.

What is the difference between a RUC and a GUC?

The key differences are scope and access. GUCs work systemwide on Delta and partner airlines (AF, KLM, VS, KE, AM) with "upon request" access to domestic First and Premium Select. RUCs are limited to domestic and short-haul international routes on Delta-operated flights only, and upgrades are pending inventory availability rather than guaranteed.

Can RUCs be used on international flights?

Only short-haul international flights within eligible regions: Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Bermuda, Central America, and Northern South America. RUCs are not valid on transatlantic, transpacific, or intra-Asia routes. For international long-haul, you need a Global Upgrade Certificate.

Do RUCs work on partner airlines?

No. Regional Upgrade Certificates are valid only on Delta-operated and Delta Connection flights. They cannot be used on partner airlines such as Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, or Aeromexico. For partner airline upgrades, you need Global Upgrade Certificates.

What happens if my RUC does not clear?

If your RUC upgrade does not clear before departure, the certificate is returned to your SkyMiles account and can be reused on a different flight. The RUC retains its original expiration date -- an uncleared upgrade does not extend validity.

Can I use RUCs on award tickets?

Yes. Award tickets, Miles + Cash bookings, Pay with Miles, Companion Certificates, and Delta Vacations packages are all eligible for RUC upgrades, provided the fare class is in the eligible list.

Is basic economy eligible for RUC upgrades?

No. Basic Economy and Comfort Basic fares are not eligible for any upgrade certificate on Delta, including Regional Upgrade Certificates. You must be booked in an eligible fare class (P, A, G, S, W, Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X, or V) to apply a RUC.

Find the best domestic routes for your RUCs

Track upgrade availability across Delta's domestic network. Use 2LNR to find flights where your Regional Upgrade Certificate will confirm.

Get Started Free