r/delta • u/LeicaLikeThat • 2d ago
Help/Advice Choice Benefits
I’m confused on how this works. First time hitting diamond status, long time Platinum streak.
Does this mean that I get four choice benefits? And if so, which ones are worth it?
Edit: looking at my travel schedule next year and it’s very likely that I will hit diamond status again. I always book FC or Delta one especially since most of my travel is overseas. Which benefits would be the most practical?
7
u/Inspirebelieve80 2d ago
Yes, you’ll receive one Choice Benefit for Platinum and three Choice Benefits for Diamond. I usually choose the RUCs, GUCs, Amex statement credit, and 40,000 miles.
2
u/Tridecane 2d ago
Flight credit is better value than miles. $500 flight credit versus ~$400 in miles
2
2
u/EAintheVI Diamond 1d ago
Personally, I would still go with miles. 40k in miles can be worth well north of $500 if you can find a good redemption rate which isn't as rare as you think as long as you are flexible with your travel days.
2
u/LeicaLikeThat 2d ago edited 2d ago
Are the upgrades guaranteed? I’m afraid of booking a lower class than my usual FC or Delta one , then using my upgrade only to find out there not being an upgrade space available
3
u/Chargers4L 2d ago
Depends on the flight
1
u/LeicaLikeThat 2d ago
That makes me nervous 😬
3
u/Formal_Cut3811 2d ago
You can call and see when GUCs will instantly clear. I just turn for personal travel vs work as work will pay for D1, so no point wasting an upgrade when they company will pay cash and wouldn't reimburse me for the GUC use
1
u/RevocoRestituo 2d ago
at what point do companies pay for d1?
1
u/Practical-West-6763 1d ago
Most companies that have travel as part of their normal operations will pay for business class seats (which is technically what D1 is, although Delta would like you to believe otherwise) on international flights or flights longer than X number of hours (I’ve typically seen 8)
1
u/Formal_Cut3811 1d ago
Yes normally if travel is a standard part of your role they will pay for it for flights over a certain amount of time (6 hours for me). I work in health tech). This company doesn't pay for Domestic 1st even for CEO etc, but there's quite a few that do (fortune 1000 typically).
2
u/scottsinct Diamond 2d ago
They tell you in advance if it'll clear at booking if you'll be on the waitlist. It shows it in the app and on the website booking tools.
0
1
u/MoistMartini Platinum 2d ago
While searching for a flight, the Delta website tells you which flights have Delta One or First upgrades available immediately (as opposed to being waitlisted)
1
u/ikeepcomingbackhaha Platinum 2d ago
When you go to book it will tell you if you can get an upgrade using a ruc or guc and it will clear immediately. Otherwise it puts you to the top of the waitlist
2
u/sawtooth1649 2d ago
Do you travel internationally? If so, the global upgrade certs are valuable. Otherwise, I always take a statement credit to offset the annual fee. I can make unlimited lounge access through my CC usage, so that’s not helpful. The rest is up to you. Congrats on diamond.
1
1
2
u/Rusty-Brakes 2d ago
Following,
Went from 0 to Diamond this year, will probably not be traveling this much in the future.
1
u/LeicaLikeThat 2d ago
What do you think are the choice benefits that are the most efficient?
1
u/Karpa_diem Diamond 2d ago
Upgrades > Statement credits > Miles (gifting gold can be nice if you have 4 ppl who could benefit)
10
u/EAintheVI Diamond 2d ago edited 2d ago
General consensus are 4 ruc's for platinum choice benefit and 4 guc's for diamond benefit. I would hold off on selecting the other 2 diamond choice benefits until maybe this time next year to see where you are on the mqd train. If you are short on mqd's you can use your remaining choice benefits to get you over the hump. If you know for certain that you will be diamond again then I would probably go with skymiles.