Jul 10, 2016, 5:48 pm
Last edit by: Zorak
Delta rolls out schedule changes pretty much every Saturday, though the scope/impact can vary. During this time, seat maps may be locked out, may show the wrong aircraft layout, etc. while changes are occurring. If you are not traveling immediately, FT conventional wisdom is to wait until Sunday (or even Monday in the case of major schedule adjustments where things take longer) for things to settle down, then take stock of your upcoming itineraries to see what changes have occurred and what changes/refunds you may be entitled to.
You are entitled to a full refund to original form of payment, even for a ticket that was purchased as a non-refundable ticket, if any of the following occur as a result of schedule change:
The airline would rather keep your money than refund it, so they will frequently accept any vaguely reasonable rerouting that you propose. This includes, by policy, changing origin and/or destination within 100 miles, rebooking +/- two days, and changing outbound/return date to keep the length of the trip the same post-rebooking.
If none of the above conditions for a refund is true, you may still be entitled to a free change -- in your trip summary there will be a notice about changes/refunds, and per the "conditions apply" popup link in that text:
If possible, you may wish to try modifying your flights online first -- there have been data points where the site allowed a free rebooking even though it did not technically fall into the above categories. NOTE however that self-rebooking online is known not to work if you have (1) any trip involving upgrade certificates (whether cleared or not), (2) if you have self-upgraded by picking an upgraded seat that said FREE (instead of waiting for the automated upgrade system sweep to reseat you in an upgraded seat), this seems to inhibit self-rebooking as well.
Otherwise, suggested best practice is to research your preferred alternative rebooking beforehand (whether DL flight search, Google Flights, ITA Matrix etc.) so that you can speak with an agent already knowing what you want, and ask for it; this will be much more efficient than having an agent find alternatives for you.
Other notes/FAQs:
You are entitled to a full refund to original form of payment, even for a ticket that was purchased as a non-refundable ticket, if any of the following occur as a result of schedule change:
- departure or arrival delay of 2hrs or more
- increase in the number of flight segments (non-stop to connecting, 1-stop to 2-stop, etc.)
- change resulting in a connection below the Minimum Connection Time for a given airport (do a Google search for "site:flyertalk.com minimum connecting time XXX" with the airport code to find the relevant thread if one exists)
- any change in operating carrier, i.e. operated by Delta mainline before the schedule change and Delta Connection after the change
- it is also a commonly-held belief that a change from Delta Connection to mainline, or from one Delta Connection carrier to a different Delta Connection carrier, also qualifies for a full refund -- if anyone has documentation of this, a link would be great...
The airline would rather keep your money than refund it, so they will frequently accept any vaguely reasonable rerouting that you propose. This includes, by policy, changing origin and/or destination within 100 miles, rebooking +/- two days, and changing outbound/return date to keep the length of the trip the same post-rebooking.
If none of the above conditions for a refund is true, you may still be entitled to a free change -- in your trip summary there will be a notice about changes/refunds, and per the "conditions apply" popup link in that text:
If a Delta schedule or routing change has delayed your departure or arrival by more than one hour, you may be eligible to select an alternate flight at no additional charge. Note that the below conditions may apply:
- Your origin, destination and travel date must remain the same
- Alternate flights must be available, and you can only modify once as subsequent changes may result in additional fees
- Voluntary changes to other flights not impacted by a Delta schedule change may result in additional fees
Otherwise, suggested best practice is to research your preferred alternative rebooking beforehand (whether DL flight search, Google Flights, ITA Matrix etc.) so that you can speak with an agent already knowing what you want, and ask for it; this will be much more efficient than having an agent find alternatives for you.
Other notes/FAQs:
- Even if you voluntarily choose a preferred rebooking, you have a high likelihood of success claiming Original Routing Credit since the original reason for the change was involuntary.
- If you booked through a travel agency, including online travel agencies (OTA) such as Expedia, Chase Ultimate Rewards, etc. you will have to contact them, not Delta, to request rerouting if the automatic rebooking is not satisfactory to you.
- There have been reports of an agency insisting that a change of 2 hours was required (per the "pro" site) for a free change, even though the popup on the DL site says 1 hour
- You can sometimes get Delta to take over a travel agency ticket; this is subject to a $50 fee to take over the ticket, although sometimes agents decline to collect it
Consolidated Delta Schedule Change Discussion Thread
Aug 9, 2021, 9:52 am
#2116
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,878
I'm just calling a spade a spade. Let's not delude ourselves and pretend this has to do with "border restrictions" these changes are to boost load factor. Are other airlines doing the same thing? 100%. Not claiming otherwise.
Delta has just been particularly aggressive in slashing routes. Coupled with the fact that I'm unable to make changes to lap infant itineraries any way other than over the phone, it's been an absolute recipe for misery on my end.
Delta has just been particularly aggressive in slashing routes. Coupled with the fact that I'm unable to make changes to lap infant itineraries any way other than over the phone, it's been an absolute recipe for misery on my end.
Sorry that it inconveniences you
Aug 9, 2021, 9:57 am
#2117
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier Gold
Posts: 2,939
Yup. I booked around 20 domestic segments yesterday for the month of October. Not a single one had more than a handful of seats showing occupied. I know seat maps do not reflect exact inventory but demand appears very low for October 60 days out. Delta is a business and the logical response to low demand is to cut supply.
Aug 9, 2021, 11:44 am
#2119
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: ANC
Posts: 404
My original question resolved itself overnight (quoted below). So Saturday schedule change, Sunday reservation itinerary confusion, Monday system cleared up.
This seems like such a basic thing but I'm stumped. How do I select new seats for a schedule changed flight?
Details: We're flying Delta LGA-MSP-ANC in November and we have a minor schedule change (over 3 hours in MSP with both old and new flight numbers) and now the old flight shows an error message of "Due to a schedule change, you will miss your connecting flight. Please review your scheduled itinerary and contact our Reservations team for alternative flight options." We have plenty of time and I'm perfectly happy with the new flights so this error message seems irrelevant. We have two flights listed for MSP-ANC, the old one has passenger status "schedule changed" while the new one has passenger status "confirmed".
The system won't let me select new seats on the new flight. What am I missing? Up at the top of the page it also gives me the "modify flight" option which I don't need or want to do.
Thanks!
Details: We're flying Delta LGA-MSP-ANC in November and we have a minor schedule change (over 3 hours in MSP with both old and new flight numbers) and now the old flight shows an error message of "Due to a schedule change, you will miss your connecting flight. Please review your scheduled itinerary and contact our Reservations team for alternative flight options." We have plenty of time and I'm perfectly happy with the new flights so this error message seems irrelevant. We have two flights listed for MSP-ANC, the old one has passenger status "schedule changed" while the new one has passenger status "confirmed".
The system won't let me select new seats on the new flight. What am I missing? Up at the top of the page it also gives me the "modify flight" option which I don't need or want to do.
Thanks!
Aug 9, 2021, 11:48 am
#2120
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,878
Nice! Many people are afraid of the Acknowledge button, thinking that it means they are consenting and accepting. But it does none of that. I click Acknowledge as soon as I see it. If the result is not what you want, you can still change to something else for free
Aug 9, 2021, 12:20 pm
#2121
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 28
Hi all,
I have a couple questions before I call Delta. (When I try to do anything through the app, it tells me I have to call).
I had booked DCA-OMA for November 1. That flight seems to have been axed and I'm now on a connection. I want to cancel and book on Southwest where I can get a nonstop flight. However, I had used a few different eCerts to pay for this (in addition to my credit card). I assume when I call, they are going to refund only to the original payment method, correct? So what I paid on my credit card to there, and then issue a new eCert for what I paid using my previous eCerts. Is there any way to just get it all back on my credit card? I'm not sure when I will be able to use the eCerts within the next year, and this is a trip I booked and paid for both my friend and I, and I believe eCerts are only good for each individual traveler, correct?
If I can only get an eCert for the remaining amount, can you use eCerts to pay for upgrades? i.e., could I upgrade to first class on another flight I have booked and use an eCert to pay for it? When I look at this in the app, it only gives me an option to pay using a credit card.
I have a couple questions before I call Delta. (When I try to do anything through the app, it tells me I have to call).
I had booked DCA-OMA for November 1. That flight seems to have been axed and I'm now on a connection. I want to cancel and book on Southwest where I can get a nonstop flight. However, I had used a few different eCerts to pay for this (in addition to my credit card). I assume when I call, they are going to refund only to the original payment method, correct? So what I paid on my credit card to there, and then issue a new eCert for what I paid using my previous eCerts. Is there any way to just get it all back on my credit card? I'm not sure when I will be able to use the eCerts within the next year, and this is a trip I booked and paid for both my friend and I, and I believe eCerts are only good for each individual traveler, correct?
If I can only get an eCert for the remaining amount, can you use eCerts to pay for upgrades? i.e., could I upgrade to first class on another flight I have booked and use an eCert to pay for it? When I look at this in the app, it only gives me an option to pay using a credit card.
Aug 9, 2021, 12:54 pm
#2122
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: DL GM, RIP SPG
Posts: 69
Thank you for clearing that up for me. 
Sorry for using the term "load factor" to describe their desire to adjust supply to demand. That must be an Econ 201 term?
Either way, we're in pretty violent agreement that Delta is looking to wring every ounce of profit possible. Let's just not pretend the weekly Saturday shuffle is for any reason other than that.
Sorry for using the term "load factor" to describe their desire to adjust supply to demand. That must be an Econ 201 term?
Either way, we're in pretty violent agreement that Delta is looking to wring every ounce of profit possible. Let's just not pretend the weekly Saturday shuffle is for any reason other than that.
Aug 9, 2021, 1:03 pm
#2123
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
David
Aug 9, 2021, 1:08 pm
#2124
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,326
Thank you for clearing that up for me.
Sorry for using the term "load factor" to describe their desire to adjust supply to demand. That must be an Econ 201 term?
Either way, we're in pretty violent agreement that Delta is looking to wring every ounce of profit possible. Let's just not pretend the weekly Saturday shuffle is for any reason other than that.
Sorry for using the term "load factor" to describe their desire to adjust supply to demand. That must be an Econ 201 term?
Either way, we're in pretty violent agreement that Delta is looking to wring every ounce of profit possible. Let's just not pretend the weekly Saturday shuffle is for any reason other than that.
As has been said, schedule changes are frustrating. This forum works best for helpful changes not dissatisfaction about the nature of forprofit businesses.
Aug 9, 2021, 1:15 pm
#2125
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 80
I'm having a really hard time with Delta Vacations as they cancelled the transatlantic legs of my flight + car package for RDU-JFK-EDI-JFK-RDU. They are telling me i must rebook to another flight but that I am not eligible for a full refund (the cancellation fee is $1,200). But since Delta cancelled my flight shouldn't I be entitled to a refund? (note: I must deal with Delta Vacations, not Delta directly - therefore, the usual online change options are unavailable to me and I must deal with Delta Vacations by phone).
Aug 9, 2021, 1:24 pm
#2126
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,190
Aug 9, 2021, 1:38 pm
#2127
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
I could just as easily rephrase your thought to read "no executive should commit $11.5B to stock buybacks if they cannot handle the possibility of macroeconomic events impacting the profitability of their business in the future."
I've absolutely ZERO sympathy for Delta. They expect privatized gains, and socialized losses. These schedule changes are to juice load factors and squeeze profits higher, not because they can't service these flights.
I've absolutely ZERO sympathy for Delta. They expect privatized gains, and socialized losses. These schedule changes are to juice load factors and squeeze profits higher, not because they can't service these flights.
Aug 9, 2021, 1:41 pm
#2128
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,190
I just can't deal with this nonsense anymore. Flying JFK-PDX with my infant son and wife in October. I've now had my itinerary exploded 5 times with these ridiculous scheduling changes. And because of Delta's inability to process the simple notion of a lap infant online, I'm unable to do anything except wait on 3+ hour hold to fix the busted itineraries they keep auto-scheduling me into.
The latest change was the complete removal of the nonstop PDX-JFK flight from my itinerary, and replacement with PDX-SLC-JFK. I suppose that's fine, except for the fact that they expect me to make a 34 minute layover in SLC. With an infant! Are you kidding me?
Feeling Iike I'm just going to take my business to Alaska for this trip, they seem to manage to be able to keep their schedule set for more than 10 minutes at a time.
The latest change was the complete removal of the nonstop PDX-JFK flight from my itinerary, and replacement with PDX-SLC-JFK. I suppose that's fine, except for the fact that they expect me to make a 34 minute layover in SLC. With an infant! Are you kidding me?
Feeling Iike I'm just going to take my business to Alaska for this trip, they seem to manage to be able to keep their schedule set for more than 10 minutes at a time.
I love all the schedule changes. I now book BE on the cheapest flights I can find knowing full well I can get a full credit and/or change them for free into the more expensive flights that day or day before/after.
Aug 9, 2021, 2:36 pm
#2129
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: ANC
Posts: 404
I'm having a really hard time with Delta Vacations as they cancelled the transatlantic legs of my flight + car package for RDU-JFK-EDI-JFK-RDU. They are telling me i must rebook to another flight but that I am not eligible for a full refund (the cancellation fee is $1,200). But since Delta cancelled my flight shouldn't I be entitled to a refund? (note: I must deal with Delta Vacations, not Delta directly - therefore, the usual online change options are unavailable to me and I must deal with Delta Vacations by phone).
Aug 9, 2021, 2:37 pm
#2130
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: DL GM, RIP SPG
Posts: 69
The arrival of my son has sadly cramped my ability to take a page from that playbook. Normally wouldn't be fazed by anything but the most insane itinerary shifts, and would be enjoying the deals to be had from all the chaos. Score a cheap one on my behalf!