Originally Posted by RealHJ

DL never ever does that. Speaking from several experiences, where I've tried, but DL always flat out refuses (what agents try to do something to help, those who have to approve always deny in the end, if it even gets to that). All that DL will do is book you on another available (if inventory not open, forget about it) SkyTeam routing, same day or +/- a day or a few, and may do it as an even reissue even if it breaks routing rules/MPM, or cancel and redeposit with no fee. That's it. Nothing more. Ever.

Heck, even when DL's own flights are canceled, if it's not DL ticketed, DL will refuse to help the passenger (regardless of status with DL) or the ticketing airline.

If you wanted this level of service, you should have booked your award with UA. UA will easily do that for anyone (no status): if an award flight is canceled or delayed, UA will buy you the last seat full fare J ticket for you on a *A airline if you so request, and give you some 10K or 20K miles compensation for the "inconvenience" of a direct vs connecting flight (that is day of flight though; in advance still UA will pay for your hotel, if an extra night is required, and give you much more freedom and options than DL ever will).