Bought an expensive ticket (intercontinental business class), nonrefundable, ended up needing to cancel. Ended up with a $$$$ eCredit. Delta describes this as an "Unused eTicket" "eCredit" Reference code ETK. Says "An eTicket may be redeemed only by the person named on the original eTicket." But also says "Residual Value: If redeemed for less than its value, the remaining residual value may be applied to subsequent ticket purchases at www.delta.com. The expiration date of the original eTicket will apply to any residual value. Transaction fees may apply."

I don't have travel need of this amount on Delta (not my main carrier) now through 12/31/2023 (when the ticket says it expires). On the other hand I have friends who fly Delta often. Or I could take a trip with family, all on Delta despite elite status on other carriers, for example 4x$800 to use up $3200 of value. Is any of this possible?

The "Residual value" provision sounds promising. If I buy the cheapest ticket Delta sells (off-peak LAX-LAS or whatever), would the deduct that from this eCredit, creating a more flexible transferable credit I can use for or with others? I know that's exactly how AA would do it, or at least would have a few years ago (the last time this question arose for me there).

I read through various FT threads somewhat on point such as this one. The ticket at issue begins 006233. One post says to look at digits four through six; "If they are 054 then you must use it yourself. Other numbers allow you to travel with someone else and use the funds for both of you." Would be great if that is true despite what I see on Delta.com.

Edited to add: I tried using the Delta.com booking tool to see what it allows, specifying this eCredit number at the start of the process. Specifying one passenger, it shows a new itinerary with Amount Due of $0 because the eCredits Applied more than covered the balance. Name field was linked to name on the prior ticket. Specifying two passengers, it showed an amount Due of one fare on the chosen itinerary, despite available eCredits more than double that amount; even with the eCredit-holder among the traveling party, Delta.com seemed to insist that the eCredit not be used for any portion of the companion's fare. Harsh!