Ok fellows, for all the people that have status on delta, what are the chances of buying a coach ticket and getting upgraded to business if i am a gold elite, or platinum elite on the flight to jberg.... Have any of you gotten upgraded? Is the flight usually too full? Trying to decide weather to pay for business / first or gamble on being upgraded and if i dont get it, buying a last minute upgrade

I hope I'm wrong, since I'm a Gold Elite, myself, but I don't think travel to Africa (at least the non-domestic portion) is upgradeable?

Who is the expert?

It depends on the class of ticket you buy. The normal coach ticket bought for the cheapest price, will not be upgraded. I am Platinum, no chance. I have 8 upgrade coupons, no chance. You can buy a ticket that is another $2000 higher, still coach, and it has the possibility of an upgrade.

I used Platinum upgrade coupons (Platinum members get several of these each year) in 2003 and 2005 for Minneapolis - Atlanta - Joberg. Both times I made reservations the first day they were available for my travel dates. I think that was 350 days ahead but I'm not sure that's the right number. I had to buy one of the top two or three grade of coach seat tickets to use the coupons but thought it well worth it. The first trip was actually 1st class on a 747. Going over there were two of us in first class with three flight attendants. Service was almost to the point of irritating.

You can get the upgrade after buying one of the higher class coach tickets. There are only a select few of these seats that are upgradeable in the the Business class section; therefore, you'll need to be quick on the draw to get one of these alotted seats. Sometimes they'll release more of these seats as it gets closer to the departure date depending upon availability. If I'm not mistaken, they can also place you on a wait list for the upgrade the day of the flight dependent upon availability. I upgraded out tickets yesterday for a trip to Hawaii this summer, which Delta also views as an internation flight going over the water.

Good answers thanks, i should be platinum in another 2 months have to teavel a lot next couple .... Might also try to "go see a client" in dubai and then go on safari from there...