• 22 Aug, 2025
  • Travel tips

How to Upgrade Seat on Delta Airlines?

When you travel with Delta Airlines, you already travel with luxury and Comfort. They do not compromise their service, no matter where you travel with them. Now that you have purchased the basic economy seat from them and want to add an extra touch of premium services and facilities to your seat, don't worry; you are in the right place. Delta Airlines has a seat upgrade facility, making the upgrade process easy. Before applying for an upgrade, you should look at the policies, process, and types of fares you can switch to. Take their terms and conditions seriously before proceeding with the coming process. 

What is the Delta's Seat Upgrade Policy?

There are some Delta Airlines seat upgrade policies that you can check before you apply for an upgrade. If your ticket checks the Delta Seat Upgrade Policy, then only Delta can help you further, so read the policies below:

1. You can apply for a seat upgrade 3 to 24 hours before your flight departure. You can also ask at the counter after you have completed check-in. The earlier you apply, the less the seat upgrade will cost.

2. When you purchase a ticket with an upgrade option, you can request a seat upgrade. If your ticket is not eligible for an upgrade, you must travel in the original seat allotted or picked by you.

3. To upgrade your Delta Basic Economy seat to business or first class, you must buy the Delta Sky Club upgrades 60-90 days before your trip to your destination. Delta Basic Economy does not allow seat upgrades directly, so you must be a Sky Club member.

4. If you wish to upgrade an award ticket to basic economy, you must be a member of the Delta Sky Club to request the premium cabin of business or first class on Delta Airlines.

5. If you are a Delta loyalty program member and consequently their elite traveler, you can apply for a seat upgrade and pay no additional fees. This is one of the program's many benefits.

6. You can only upgrade your seat with Delta Airlines once. If you have already upgraded once, you cannot request again. 

7. You can get your seat upgraded only if there is availability on the flight. You also have to pay the difference in the fare when you request it. You can request that at the website only or call their customer service.

8. Delta miles can also upgrade your seat to first class. Miles are helpful in such cases.

Types of Delta Airlines Upgrade Seats

Now that you have decided to upgrade your seat with Delta Airlines, you should know that they offer seven different ways to do so. You can choose any of them and get the best facilities with premium seats.

1. Mileage Upgrade Awards: Only Y, B, M, Q, H, and K flyers can upgrade their seats using the miles on their current bookings with Delta Airlines. 

2. Use Miles: You can use the collected miles to upgrade your seat when you travel within the 50 United States. 

3. Same-Day Standby Upgrades: If you are traveling to North America, Cancun, or the Caribbean, you can upgrade your flight only if the seats are available. 

4. Complimentary Same-Day Upgrades: You can upgrade the seats of your flight companion, too, after paying a fee on the same flight to North America, Cancun, and the Caribbean.

5. Global Upgrade Certificate: If you are a member of the Diamond Medallion Elite, you can upgrade to a first-class cabin on any international or domestic flight on Delta Airlines. 

6. Regional Upgrade Certificate: Only diamond and platinum medallion members can upgrade their seats with Delta Airlines on domestic or regional flights.

7Complimentary Upgrade: Delta Airlines offers the medallion elites a complimentary upgrade option from Delta One on flights within the United States. 

How to request Delta Airlines Seat Upgrade?

After confirming your Delta Airlines seat upgrade eligibility, the next step is knowing how to get it and by what process. It is easy, and Delta Airlines offers multiple ways to request a seat upgrade, so choose whichever is convenient for you and enjoy your journey. 

Method 1: Seat Upgrade using the website

  1. You can open the official site of Delta Airlines at www.delta.com
  2. Then you can check my trips section in that screen
  3. From there, you must fill in your booking details, including your ticket number and last name.
  4. After that, you will see your whole itinerary, and you can select your reservation.
  5. Then you can check your eligibility and apply for a seat upgrade.
  6. You have to pay the difference in the fare and complete the payment. You will receive a confirmation email.

Method 2: Seat Upgrade via Delta Skymiles Representative

  1. If you want to connect with a Delta airlines representative, call the representative at 1-800-221-1212.
  2. You will get to an IVR, so follow the prompts and connect to an agent.
  3. They will ask for your booking details. Keep your documents handy and be precise with your information.
  4. They will help you change your seat and ask you to pay.
  5. You will receive a confirmation email, and it's done.

Method 3: Seat Upgrade using the Fly Delta App

  1. Download the Delta App from the Play Store or App Store. If you have the application, then update it.
  2. Log in using the booking details.
  3. Check My Trips on the screen.
  4. Then open your itinerary and check if you can apply for a seat upgrade.
  5. If yes, then make the payment.

How to upgrade my seats to First Class on Delta Airlines?

Understandably, first-class flights have facilities that combine luxury and convenience on your flight so that you can upgrade from your already booked basic flight to a first-class one. Follow the steps below to make it happen:

  1. Go to the official website of Delta Airlines at www.delta.com
  2. Tap on the My Trips section.
  3. Write all the details of your booking and then find your itinerary.
  4. Select the reservation that you want to upgrade.
  5. Apply for a seat upgrade to first class. 
  6. Pay the difference amount, and you will receive confirmation in your email.

How much does a Delta Seat Upgrade cost?

Seat upgrades have their benefits and advantages for passengers. When you are traveling, your trip should be comfortable. The Delta Airlines seat upgrade cost varies depending on the fare selected, the destination, and when you apply for an upgrade. If you want to upgrade a domestic flight to Comfort +, it will cost approximately $25 to $220, but if you wish to book a first-class seat, it will cost $150- $500 or sometimes even more. It varies in time and can cost more than $1000, too. It all depends on the routes, destinations, time of booking, and fare class bought. You can upgrade your seat and get a preference if you are a loyalty program member. It won't necessarily be free. It is advisable to be a Skymiles member if you are a frequent traveller. 

Tips for getting the best seat upgrade on Delta

  1. Fly off-season: To get the best seat upgrades, plan your vacation during the less popular days. When it's off-season, there are many good seats available on flights, so it's easy to upgrade. 
  2. Choose the Medallion program: The benefit of being a Delta Medallion member is that you will get preference and be eligible for complimentary upgrades from the airlines to first and business class. 
  3. Be a Skymiles member: When you are a loyalty program member of Delta airlines, they will help you get the seat upgrade that you want. Skymiles has its benefits, and this is one of them.
  4. Save miles: You can use your saved miles to upgrade your seat on Delta Airlines. 
  5. Prefer paid upgrades: If you really want to upgrade your seat and get the best experience, you should choose to pay and complete the process as soon as possible. The seats might cost you more afterwards, or worse, you won't even get a seat. 

Conclusion

Delta Airlines enhances your journey and experience. You might think a flight will be lethargic, but when you choose Comfort and Premium, you get all the best services. Frequent Delta travelers know what first class and business class offer, so they do not compromise on the experience. You will get increased legroom and premium seating, so it gets comfortable. Then, you can refer to the information above. Delta airlines provides excellent service to its passengers, and you can count on it. 

FAQ

Yes, Delta Airlines allows you to upgrade your seat after check-in.

No, Delta Airlines seat upgrades are non-refundable. You cannot apply for a refund.

No, Delta airlines upgrades do not apply to partner airlines.

If your seat number is not already chosen and does not appear on your boarding pass, it will be assigned after you check in for your flight. Delta Basic Economy only assigns after check-in.

If you are unable to select seats, there can be many reasons. You should check the availability of seats. If you have a basic economy ticket, you will not be able to select seats. There can also be a technical glitch.

You can change seats on Delta in three ways. You can apply on the website, talk to the agent, or apply by the application.

The charge for seat selection varies according to the destination and the route. It is not the same for the flights and depends on when you apply for a seat upgrade.

Yes, a Delta upgrade brings a lot of facilities, and it is worth it.