It seems like Rule 80(C)(2)(b) of
DL's International Conditions of Carriage (emphasis mine) should apply and provide a basis for
latefrankwhite to seek accommodation on a flight to Quito on another carrier on his originally scheduled day of travel:
RULE 80 REVISED ROUTINGS, FAILURE TO CARRY AND MISSED CONNECTIONS (continued)
C) INVOLUNTARY REVISED ROUTINGS (continued)
2) Change in Schedule- For the purpose of this rule, change in schedule means changes which require rerouting of the passenger prior to departure time of the original flight which occurs more than 24 hours prior to the original scheduled departure time. Change in schedule does not include force majeure events as defined in paragraph (D) of this rule.
When a passenger will be delayed because of a change in its schedule, carrier will arrange to:
a) Transport the passenger over its' own lines to the destination, next stopover point or transfer point shown on its portion of the ticket at no additional cost to the passenger.
b) Endorse the unused ticket for the purpose of rerouting over another carrier.
c) DL will reroute the passenger as provided above, but without stopover at any point on the rerouted portion of the trip. If the passenger holds a tourist/coach ticket for travel within the Continental U.S.A., passenger may be rerouted on DL's own next First Class service on which space is available at no additional cost to the passenger, if so doing will provide an earlier arrival than the next tourist/coach flight on which space is available.
i) Passengers holding other than first class tickets will not be involuntarily rerouted on First Class services of other carriers without additional collection.
ii) Passengers will not be involuntarily rerouted on concorde aircraft without additional collection.
e) Refund in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90(D)(REFUNDS).
Welcome to FlyerTalk,
latefrankwhite. Research the alternative flights to Quito on October 23 so you know your options and call DL back, cite Rule 80(C)(2)(b), and ask the agent to secure you space on another carrier.