Delta Flight Cancellation Policy: Non-Refundable & Basic Economy

It could be frustrating to cancel your travel plan. You may feel irritated when you don’t get to fly but it can be more irritating when canceling the flight costs you the value of your ticket. So, you have to be aware of all the terms and conditions of the airlines to make maximum benefit while revoking the reservation. In this particular guide, we will delve into the details of Delta Flight Cancellation Policy. Whether you have a reservation with Delta Airlines or are planning to book, the guide will surely come in handy in your hour of need. 

Delta Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy: How it Works?

Delta Airlines outlines the significant conditions for flight cancellations. This policy decides whether or not flight cancellations and adjustments are eligible. It also discusses the many options travelers may take to cancel their reservations. Furthermore, Delta Flight Cancellation Policy outlines the key regulations that travelers must follow to cancel their reservations effectively.

• A cancellation charge could be deducted from your flight cost if you purchased a non-refundable flight ticket.
• The airlines will allow you to use any remaining amount as an eCredit towards purchasing another ticket.
• If you do not change or cancel your ticket before departure, it will be worthless. Therefore,  be sure to cancel or change your flight before departing.
• Whenever your plans change, you can request a refund if you booked a refundable ticket.

Delta Airlines 24 Hour Cancellation Policy

According to Delta Airlines 24 Hour Cancellation Policy, passengers are eligible for a full refund if they cancel their booking within 24 hours of booking. There will be no deductions under the condition that the flight departure is seven days ahead. It can be canceled for any reason. 

• Delta’s 24-Hour Cancellation Policy applies to all fares including the Basic Economy Ticket. 
• However, it is available on flights originating to/from the US and Canada. 
• It is an exclusive privilege available only to passengers who have reserved a ticket directly on delta.com or the Fly Delta app.
• Group bookings with nine or more passengers cannot take the benefit of a risk-free cancellation period. 
• Also, flight bookings via e-certificates and Skymiles are not eligible for a risk-free cancellation period. 

Delta Cancellation Policy for Non-Refundable Fare

If the passenger has a non-refundable ticket, Delta Airlines will not provide a refund in the original form of payment. The airline will deduct a cancellation fee and provide the remaining value as an eCredit. Passengers can use the eCredit balance to book future flight tickets on Delta. 

If the flight originates from North America and the Caribbean to the US/Mexico there will be no cancellation charge. But the refund will be in the form of eCredits. On the other hand, if the flight originates outside of North America, then the fee for canceling the non-refundable fare starts from $200. However, you must read the fare conditions before revoking the ticket. 

However, a full refund will be initiated if the passenger cancels the non-refundable ticket in the risk-free period.

Cancellation Policy for Refundable Tickets

Purchasing a refundable ticket on Delta Airlines provides the perk of canceling the ticket up to 24 hours before departure without incurring any cancellation fee. 

Travelers have the choice to receive the refund either in the form of original payment or travel credit. 

Delta Airlines Cancellation Policy Due to Medical Reasons

Delta Airlines is generous if the passenger is unable to travel due to medical reasons. According to Delta Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy:

• If a passenger is severely ill or injured and chooses not to travel, then they can claim a full refund of their ticket value. 
• If the traveling companion of the passenger is ill or injured, and the passenger has no choice other than to cancel, then Delta will provide a full refund. 
• Also, if a close family member of the passenger has passed away, then the traveler can seek a full refund. 

However, in all scenarios, the traveler has to provide medical documents or a death certificate to Delta Airlines for verification. 

Cancellation Policy for Delta SkyMiles 

The cancellation policy for revoking Delta award flight tickets depends on the route.

• If canceling an award flight ticket for travel within the US, there will be no cancellation fee. The award ticket must be canceled before departure. 
• On the other hand, if the flight is originating outside of the US, then the passenger has up to 72 hours before departure to cancel the award ticket. They will have to pay $150 as a cancellation fee. 
• If the passenger holds a Diamond or Platinum medallion membership, there will be no cancellation fee. 

Delta Flight Cancellation Policy for Basic Economy Ticket

Basic Economy tickets are the most restricted fare on Delta Airlines. 

• As per the Delta Airlines Cancellation Policy, Basic Economy tickets are nonrefundable and nonchangeable. Travelers will have to pay a hefty cancellation fee for revoking their bookings. 
• The refund will be in the form of travel credits.
• Under the 24-hour cancellation policy, Basic Economy tickets can be canceled for free. 

Delta Airlines Flight Cancellation Fee

According to Delta Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy:

Travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands – No cancellation fee for Main Cabin and above tickets.

For flights originating from Canada, Europe, Africa, the United States, Canada, Africa or the Caribbean – No cancellation charges for Main Cabin and above tickets. 

• There will be no cancellation fee for canceling the flight in a 24-hour risk-free cancellation period. 
• After the risk-free cancellation period, canceling the Basic Economy ticket will incur a $99 to $199 fee depending on the route. 
• Also, canceling a non-refundable ticket will incur $0 to $400. The same cancellation fee will apply if the passenger cancels the booking Delta booking within 24 hours of departure. 

How to Cancel Delta Flight?

Delta Airlines allows passengers to use various modes to cancel their booking. They can utilize various sources such as the official website or phone call. 

Cancel the Flight Booking Online

Follow the step-by-step online procedure here:

• Firstly, open your browser and visit Delta Airlines’ official website.
• Secondly, if you are a member of the “SkyMiles” program, log in to the Delta Airlines account. Otherwise, you may just log in as a regular passenger.
• Thirdly, Go to the “My Trips” category now.
• According to Delta Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy, you must now input your information, including “Confirmation Number,” “First Name,” & “Last Name.”
• This will take you to the page “Trip Details.”
• Choose the flight ticket.  
• Furthermore, select the “Modify Flight” button.
• Select the “Start Flight cancellation” option for cancellations.
• The site will offer you on-screen instructions for canceling Delta flights.
• After confirming your cancellation, the airline will send you a confirmation mail. 

Cancel the Flight Ticket Offline

Travelers can request flight cancellation through offline means also. They can call Delta or visit the Delta counter at the airport for assistance. 

Passengers can call 800-221-1212 to cancel their reservation. The executive will check the eligibility of your reservation and process the request. 

Canceling the ticket by visiting the airport counter should be the last resort. It can be hectic to cancel the ticket at the airport due to long queues. However, it is a more transparent method. 

Delta Airlines Refund Policy

• Travelers can seek a refund by canceling the flight via My Trips. 
• For refundable tickets, Delta will provide a refund in the form of the original payment mode. 
• Tickets purchased via cash or check can take up to 20 days to refund. On the other hand, credit and debit card purchases can take up to seven days. 

• According to Delta Airlines Refund Policy for domestic travel, including travel to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, is free of cancellation fees for tickets purchased in the Main Cabin and above. 
• A full refund will be provided to Main Cabin and higher tickets for flights departing from Canada, Europe, Africa, the United States, Canada, Africa, or the Caribbean.

Passengers can request a refund for flights canceled or facing a delay of more than 120 minutes. They have to fill out the Trip Disruptions form to submit a refund request.

However, if traveler owns a non-refundable ticket, they cannot seek a refund. 

• According to Delta Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy, if the flight delay is more than 3 hours, then residents of the US and Canada can ask for a reimbursement due to accommodation or meal expenses. 
• On the other hand, non-residents of the US and Canada need to fill out the Comment and Complaint form for reimbursement. 

Remember that Delta Flight Cancellation Policy does not provide reimbursement due to weather delays or air traffic delays. 

What If Delta Cancels the Flight?

Aside from passenger cancellations, the airline sometimes cancels flights. This is primarily due to bad weather, which makes flying difficult. Other reasons causing Delta to cancel the flight include storms, rains, severe cloud cover, flight delays, problems at the receiving airport, runway difficulties, damaged aircraft, emergency safety concerns, overbooking flights, technical & mechanical breakdowns, and take-off difficulties.

• If the trip of the passenger is impacted by a delay of more than 120 minutes or a canceled flight, Delta will notify the passenger and try to rebook them on a different flight at no extra cost.
• Travelers can also seek a refund in the form of eCredits or an original form of payment. 
• On the other hand, if the passenger finds a flight delay of less than 120 minutes, they can rebook an alternate flight at additional costs. 

Delta Flight Cancellation Compensation 

In the case of a flight delay or cancellation, the airline will pay passengers. If there is a delay in your flight, the airline will either rebook you or hold your money as eCredit for future use. 

• If the flight is canceled by the airline travelers will have the choice to rebook the flight with the same cabin class as the cabin in the original flight.
• Also, they can rebook to an alternate date.
• Or, seek a refund from the airline.

Along with that, travelers can also file reimbursement for accommodation, airport transfers, and meals.

However, under these circumstances, passengers traveling on Delta cannot ask for compensation.

• If the alternate flight is offered 2 weeks before departure. 
• If the alternate flight is offered between 7 to 14 days before departure. It is departing 2 hours before the scheduled time and arriving 4 hours after the scheduled time.
• Also, if the rebooking was provided less than 7 days before departure, and the flight is scheduled to arrive 2 hours after the scheduled arrival time of the original time.

In addition, you are eligible for a $700 Delta travel cancellation compensation if you find the cancellation of your flight at least 14 days before departure. Flights to and from Europe will be fully paid for.

Frequently Asked Question 

Is Delta allowing canceling flights?

Delta Airlines allows passengers to cancel their flights. Travelers with refundable, non-refundable fares, Basic Economy tickets, or award tickets, all are eligible to cancel the flight. However, Delta Airlines may levy additional charges depending on the routes and other factors. 

How long do I have to cancel a Delta flight without penalty?

The 24-hour cancelation policy guarantee applies to tickets booked directly from Delta, including Basic Economy rates. This means you may cancel your ticket for any reason up to 24 hours after booking and receive a full refund with no modification or cancelation costs.

How much do I need to pay for the Delta flight cancelation?

Firstly, a Delta Airlines cancelation cost depends on the destination and type of fare. The cancelation fee may range from $99 to $400. You can contact Delta’s customer care for further information on the cancelation.  

When will I get my refund from Delta?

Delta Airlines provides a refund in 20 days for purchases done via check or cash whereas it may take up to 7 days to initiate a refund for purchases done via credit or debit card. 

Can I cancel my Delta ticket within 24 hours of booking?

Yes, you can cancel your Delta flight ticket within the first 24 hrs after booking. As per the Delta 24-hour cancellation policy, the flight must depart seven days ahead of the time of cancellation. 

Can passengers cancel a flight booked with Delta SkyMiles?

Flights booked using SkyMiles and rewards may also be canceled. You can cancel them on Delta’s website or by phoning customer service. These cancelations will not be subject to additional fees. The miles will be re-deposited back into the SkyMiles account if canceled in the risk-free period. 

Are points refundable on Delta?

Delta Airlines will not redeposit the SkyMiles in the account if the cancelation is done beyond the risk-free period. Whether you have refundable or non-refundable fare, all are subject to this policy.  

Is there a penalty for canceling a Delta flight?

In the case of a refundable ticket, Delta Airlines does not charge any penalty for canceling the flight. However, for non-refundable and Basic Economy fare, the airline levies a hefty for revoking the reservation. 

Is there a cancellation fee for Delta award tickets?

Passengers with Delta SkyMiles award tickets will not have to pay a cancellation fee for travel within the US. If the flight is originating outside of the US, $150 is the cancellation fee. 

How long do I have to cancel a Delta award flight ticket?

You can cancel your Delta flight award ticket before the departure time of your domestic flights. In the case of award flights originating outside of the US, you can make a cancellation request up to 72 hours before departure. 

What is Delta’s 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy?

Delta Airlines Risk-Free cancellation policy states that travelers with any fare including the Basic Economy tickets are eligible for a full refund if they cancel their ticket within 24 hours of booking confirmation. The following policy only applies if the flight departure is seven days away at the time of cancellation. 

How do I know if my Delta ticket is refundable?

You can check the fare conditions to determine the refundability of the ticket. You can access your trip details via My Trips to review the information or you can also call the airline’s reservation department.  

How much is the cancellation fee for a Delta Basic Economy ticket?

Delta Airlines charges $99 to $199 as a cancellation fee for revoking the Basic Economy fare. The remaining value will be provided as eCredit to the passenger. 

How can I cancel my Delta flight online?

You can cancel your Delta flight online via the My Trips feature. You need to enter the booking confirmation number and the passenger’s last name to retrieve the booking details. Click on the Need to Cancel button and after that “Start Flight Cancellation” button to cancel the flight. 

What is Delta’s cancellation policy for main cabin tickets?

Delta’s cancellation policy allows free cancellation for main cabin tickets if the:

• Flight is within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. 
• Travel originating from the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, or the Caribbean to anywhere in the world.