Originally Posted by PatrickTM

I can certainly see flexibility benefits to booking refundable during the "before times", aka before Covid. Delta has kept their no cancelation fee/no change fee policy, even in 2023, with their senior management showing no inclination to change the policy. So I am not sure if this affects your travel planning/habits at all. I typically book a ticket w/ gift card and $250 (or less) on an Amex card, and once credits hit, cancel the flight and keep the e-credit on the account. E-credit expires one year from date of original booking (if I recall correctly) so I get to use it anytime over the course of the year. Bonus benefit of e-credit: it can be in conjunction with a companion cert.