Originally Posted by
FlyDeltaJets87
I understood. I guess I don't understand why you're worried though, or why you wouldn't just cancel the SNA-YYZ trip in advance anyway since you're not planning to use it. By canceling the SNA-YYZ trip in advance, you also avoid any risk associated with a double/conflicting booking on your return trip from SFO to YYZ. I was simply pointing out that if you cancel your SNA-YYZ ticket, it will be $150 (or maybe more - not sure if Canada is treated like domestic US or Int'l for this purpose, even though redemption is the same rate as domestic US). But DL will not simply cancel the SNA-YYZ ticket if you don't complete your AUS-LAX-SAN itinerary since your SNA-YYZ itinerary is a seperate ticket.
The change/cancel/redeposit fees for award tickets are the same for domestic and international. It's $150 per time per ticket except DMs and PMs are exempt.
IMO before OP gets too involved in making plans for a fall drive along the coast, rental car rates and drop off fees should be checked. There should also be consideration given to how much time to allow. It's a beautiful drive but the coastal road isn't quick. Also, it can be badly fogged in at times. OP and wife could start from LAX or SAN and drive north, start from SFO and go south, or do a round trip or circle (taking the inland route part of the way to save time) and return the car to the same airport or at least the same area.