Delta Premium Select: What to Know - NerdWallet (2024)

When you're looking to upgrade from economy, but flying first or business class isn't in your budget, Delta Air Lines Premium Select might be a good compromise.

Delta Premium Select is the airline’s premium economy fare class. When flying Premium Select, you have bigger seats with additional recline, an adjustable footrest, specialty dining, a premium amenity kit and other goodies to enhance your flight experience. This cabin class is akin to domestic first class and is typically offered on long-haul flights.

These extra perks come with a bigger price tag, but is the extra cost really worth it? Here's a look at Delta Premium Select to help you decide if splurging is the right call.

Delta Air Lines premium economy (also known as Premium Select) is very different from Delta’s economy class, which comprises main cabin and Comfort Plus. Premium Select is a separate cabin between Delta’s economy and business class (known as Delta One). Travelers flying within the continental U.S. won't see Delta Premium Select when booking tickets because this cabin type is only available on all trans-Pacific and most trans-Atlantic flights.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect in this cabin.

Delta Premium Select seats

Your ticket includes a wider seat that offers an additional recline and an adjustable footrest. For example, on Delta’s Airbus A350, Premium Select seats are 18.5 inches wide and have an 38 inch pitch compared to main cabin, which has seats that are 17.4 inches wide and have a 31-32 inch seat pitch.

Delta Premium Select entertainment

Watch TV and movies or listen to music on your own device during the flight, or use the complimentary noise-canceling headphones and embedded in-flight entertainment screen that's up to 13.3 inches.

Delta Sky Priority perks

When flying Premium Select, you’ll also benefit from priority boarding, accelerated check-in, airport security screening and priority baggage service. Delta has 8 boarding zones (not including pre-boarding) and those flying in Premium Select board in Zone 2, which is right behind preboarding and Delta One and first class passengers.

Delta Premium Select amenity kit

Flyers receive a premium amenity kit from Someone Somewhere that contains an eye mask, socks, ear plugs, a toothbrush and lip balm made by Grown Alchemist. Other goodies include a plush blanket, memory-foam pillow and noise-canceling headphones. Before meal service, flight attendants will hand out a vanilla and orange peel oshibori hand towel.

Delta Premium Select menu

Passengers receive complimentary wine, beer and spirits to go with an enhanced meal service. According to a Delta news release, you can expect meals like braised beef short rib with fingerling potatoes and dijon peppercorn jus or Impossible meatballs with polenta, pomodoro sauce and broccoli, amongst other options.

To book a Delta Premium Select ticket, go to Delta.com or use the airline's app on your mobile device (Apple, Android).

Enter your departure and arrival city, travel dates and the number of passengers. You can also check "Shop with Miles" if you want to use SkyMiles instead of cash. If you click on “Advanced Search,” you'll see the option "Best Fares For." Clicking this option will allow you to select "Delta Premium Select" from a dropdown menu, further helping to narrow your search.

When your search results appear, filter for flights that meet your budget and preferred departure and arrival time. Delta's website designates which flights have the "Lowest Fare" with a small marker in the upper left corner.

You can also switch to award flights by toggling to the "Miles" button.

Once you've found a flight that meets your needs, click on the price to complete your booking. Delta may offer an option to upgrade to a fully refundable flight for a higher price.

Continue the booking process by entering your name, selecting a seat and providing your payment information.

When paying for your flight, consider using a Delta credit card or a travel card like the The Platinum Card® from American Express to earn additional miles or a credit card that offers flight protections. These protections generally include trip interruption/cancellation, trip delay and baggage delay benefits.

Delta Comfort Plus offers an upgraded flight experience in economy, but keep in mind that Comfort Plus is not the same as Premium Select. When you're presented with the choice of Delta Comfort Plus versus Delta Premium Select, it pays to know the difference between these upgraded fares.

Medallion status holders earn identical miles per dollar spent on each fare.

There are numerous ways to get good value flying Delta Premium Select or when redeeming rewards for Delta flights.

1) Book Delta premium economy with miles

Instead of paying cash for your Delta Premium Select ticket, use your Delta SkyMiles instead. The difference in price between economy (main cabin or Comfort Plus) and premium economy (Premium Select) can be worth it when flying long distances. Additionally, Premium Select tickets can be much cheaper than Delta One award flights.

As seen below, a nonstop flight from New York-John F. Kennedy (JFK) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is 52,000 miles in economy, 94,000 miles in Premium Select or 230,000 miles in Delta One. All of these award tickets include a $6 fee for taxes.

If you need additional SkyMiles to book your flight, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points. If you have miles with other SkyTeaam airlines, you may be able to book through a partner’s website. If you need additional SkyMiles to book your flight, apply for a new Delta card or transfer American Express Membership Rewards points.

2) Book flights with miles or cash onSkyTeam partners

Delta is notorious for charging high prices for its awards. You may be able to book a similar flight for less miles if you book your ticket on one of Delta's SkyTeam partner airlines, including Air France-KLM, Korean Air or Virgin Atlantic.

Here’s an example of an award ticket on the same day from JFK to CDG with Air France, but the cost in miles is significantly cheaper in all cabins.

Looking particularly at premium economy, the Air France award ticket is 35,000 miles + $130 in taxes compared to the Delta ticket which is 94,000 miles + $6 in taxes. Note that on Air France, premium economy offers the equivalent experience to that of Delta’s premium select. When booking with a partner airline, always double check the seat map to confirm the seat type.

3) Travel off-peak to save

During off-peak times, you can often find flights for cheaper than you would during busier travel periods. Whether you're paying for your flight with cash or miles, if you have the flexibility of when you can travel, you'll save if you can book during off-peak times. While you may not want to travel in the middle of winter, you can also save by flying during the shoulder seasons.

For example, traveling in September or October still offers good weather in most locations, while fewer crowds because kids are back in school.

» Learn more: How to find cheaper last-minute flights

Travelers flying long-haul on Delta may want to consider booking a Premium Select ticket on their next flight. It offers a premium cabin experience without the much higher cost of flying business or first class. These flights can be booked with cash or Delta SkyMiles, so compare your options to determine which is the better value.

For the difference in price, it's a worthwhile upgrade compared with Comfort Plus on long-haul flights. You'll receive a wider seat, more legroom and an adjustable footrest, in addition to complimentary adult beverages to go with an enhanced in-flight menu.