Back in November, I received an email from Delta informing me that my excessive travels had paid off and I achieved Silver Medallion elite status in its SkyMiles program.
As this was the first time I'd achieved elite status on any airline, let alone one of the world's largest, I was very excited to give it a go. The list of perks included upgrades, free checked bags, and priority check-in.
The chief among those perks is the first-class upgrade as it's often the most valued and elevates the in-flight experience to a new level.
With Delta, however, all elite status holders can request an upgrade on any domestic flight, regardless of length. As a Silver Medallion, I'd be the last in the pecking order and the least likely to be upgraded, I thought.
And the other to Delta Comfort+, an enhanced economy product offering extra legroom, premium snacks, and complimentary alcoholic beverages.
I wanted to know just how much easier having the status made flying and whether or not I'd get upgraded, I booked a trip to find out, flying from New York to Raleigh, North Carolina and onward to Orlando, Florida before heading back to New York for $157.
The flights were a mix of leisure and business routes on medium to small size aircraft, so I'd have a good sample size for my experiment.
The first flight of the trip was from New York to Raleigh, a route flown primarily by business customers, a group that tends to have elite status.
The flight was operated by a Delta Boeing 717 aircraft, which features a 12-seat first-class cabin and a 20-seat Comfort+ cabin.
A few days before departure, both the first class and Comfort+ cabin were showing as having open seats, meaning it would be likely I'd at least get upgraded into Comfort+.
Fast forward to the day before departure, I checked in for the flight 24 hours on the dot in advance and was notified shortly after that I'd been upgraded to Comfort+. My $157 ticket was now giving me a value of $166.68 and I was number one on the first-class upgrade list.
When I arrived at the airport the next day, I was still number one on the first-class upgrade list with one seat open. Delta's revenue team was working against me here, hoping that it would sell the upgrade.
Despite having elite status with Delta, I wasn't able to access any of the airline's check-in areas dedicated to elites as I was too low in the status hierarchy. Keep in mind, to even get Silver Medallion status, flyers must spend $3,000 and fly 25,000 miles or 30 flights on Delta or some partner airlines.
The same was true at security where Delta's priority lane was only available to those in the highest tiers of elite SkyMiles status.
I wasn't too phased by either, however, as I had checked in on my phone already and could use my TSA Precheck to get through security without having to wait too long.
Although my upgrade hadn't cleared by the time I got to the gate, all hope wasn't lost as there was a possibility Delta was waiting until the last possible second to upgrade me in a last-ditch attempt to sell the upgrade. I was still number one on the list.
I still had my Comfort+ seat so I couldn't complain, especially on an hour-long flight. As I waited to hear the gate agent call my name and tell me that my upgrade had cleared, I looked up to see that all first-class seats were full.
But when I boarded, I was given a surprise by Delta in the form of a new boarding pass with my new seat, 1D. Despite being the lowest of the low, I'd managed to get an upgrade on what is normally an elite-heavy route for Delta on one of its smallest planes.
Though a non-standard route for Delta, the airline has been growing in Raleigh and even operates a transatlantic flight to Paris from the North Carolina city.
When the upgrade list was revealed 24 hours before the flight, I was near-dead last in the list for first class. It wasn't looking good for this one.
I was, however, almost immediately upgraded to Comfort+ and given a window seat, a $34 value based on Delta's upgrade price. The new value of my ticket with the upgrade was now $665.
After landing in Orlando, it was time for the final and longest flight of the day, Orlando to New York on a Delta Airbus A321.
As one of the largest narrow-body aircraft in Delta's fleet, the A321 would feature a first-class cabin with 20 large recliner seats.
The longer flight would also mean more time to enjoy the service so I was hoping I'd get an upgrade on this one.
The day prior, the upgrade list was showing 12 open seats and I was number one on the list so I was hopeful.
Delta was only selling the upgrades for $159, however, so it easily could've filled up. A single upgrade cost more than the price of my day trip.
Much to my surprise, I was upgraded straight into first-class just after I checked in for the flight! Delta must have known it wouldn't sell the upgrades.
The upgrade wasn't too surprising since I was flying against the grain on a leisure route, but it was a nice treat, nonetheless, and I was surprised at how quickly I was upgraded.
The flight was late at night so no meal service would be offered, but a snack and beverage service offered sustenance and the large seat allowed me to get some well-needed rest, especially with the pillow and blanket provided at each seat.
I landed back in New York having been upgraded on all three of my flights, with two of them in a first-class cabin.
After only spending $157 for an economy ticket, not only did I spend only one flight in (premium) economy but was given an additional $824 value on my ticket through the upgrades to Comfort+ and first class based on Delta's upgrade prices.
The flights showed me that even in Delta's egalitarian system where all elites can request upgrades on any domestic flight, I still had a shot at getting upgraded as a Silver Medallion, which is arguably the greatest perk of elite status.
I didn't notice a difference in the airport experience, though it didn't bother me as I primarily carry-on my bags and don't usually need to visit the counter. TSA Precheck also made any benefits at the security checkpoint pointless as the lane offers amenities that Delta can't, even with a priority line.
I know I may not be as lucky on future flights, but this was a great first trip as a Silver Medallion.
