DL Risk-Free Cancellation Update for SkyMiles Tickets Reminder

by Adam

I had a reader write in this morning that they were pleasantly surprised to find out that SkyMiles award tickets have no cancellation fee when the request occurs within 24 hours of ticketing.  This is actually a change to the Risk-Free Cancellation policy that went into effect back in mid 2012. It’s not often that Delta makes a consumer friendly change to any of their terms and conditions, but the policy was enhanced to include SkyMiles award tickets where they were previously explicitly omitted. Cancellation requests must be made by midnight of the day after the eTicket is purchased or midnight of the departure date of the first flight, whichever comes first. Available only for eTickets purchased at the time of reservation through Delta ticket offices and airport ticket counters, reservation sales, or at delta.com. Remember, the dreaded 72 hour rule still applies –SkyMiles members who wish to cancel or make changes to their award ticket now need to do so at least 72 hours before their flight departure (for changes, this applies to each flight segment – outbound and return). Miles for tickets cancelled within 72 hours will be nonrefundable. Taxes and fees for award travel cancelled within 72 hours will be refundable upon request. Same-day standby options will remain. For changes or cancellations made at least 72 hours prior to departure, Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will continue to receive reissue and redeposit fee waivers. Reissue and redeposit fees will continue to apply for other members.

Early 2012 Risk-Free Cancellation Policy

a screenshot of a ticket 

  Mid 2012-Present Risk-Free Cancellation Policy

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6 comments

CardinalTraveler January 24, 2013 - 6:12 pm

This is good

Reply
truthiness January 24, 2013 - 9:15 pm

Does this apply to cash and points tickets purchased by individuals with the Delta AMEX card?

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adam January 24, 2013 - 10:37 pm

@truthiness – Yes it does. From Delta’s site “Except for tickets refunded under Delta’s Risk Free Cancellation policy, miles redeemed with Pay with Miles cannot be re-deposited in the member’s SkyMiles Account — even for fully refundable fares. In the event of a ticket being reissued, any residual dollar value between the original price of the ticket purchased using full or partial Pay with Miles and the reissued ticket price, can only be returned as a nonrefundable e-credit valid for future transportation. E-credit will be valid for 1 year from original Pay with Miles ticket issue date.”

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Bjoern January 24, 2013 - 10:30 pm

But isn’t the fee and 72h time either waived or lessened for Platinum and Diamond members?

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adam January 24, 2013 - 10:36 pm

@Bjoern – For changes or cancellations made at least 72 hours prior to departure, Diamond and Platinum Medallion members receive reissue and redeposit fee waivers. However, they must abide by the 72 hour rule as well.

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jpgisbd January 25, 2013 - 3:38 pm

Was able to change a award ticket just the other day within the 24 hour window. Called and asked nicely if I should cancel and then rebook. She was nice enough to change it and waive the change fee. Don’t think they would have been so nice if it was outside the 24 hour window.

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