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
#541
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,518
#542
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Hey all, first time Delta flyer coming soon - and I was just hit by a schedule change and I would like some guidance please. They changed my comfortable 100min layover to 46min.
Was: DL2995 09:00 - 13:26
Is: DL160 10:00 - 14:23
Connecting: DL160 15:09 (MSP-AMS)
It's exactly a one hour change departing, but only 57 minutes difference in MSP. I'm freaked out because we are connecting to a DeltaOne international flight, and a 45min connection isn't something I'd ever book on (a) a snowy airport, (b) on an overseas flight, or (c) during a holiday travel weekend like Thanskgiving. Delta has now changed my flight to be (d) all of the above. EEK!
DL2995 is still available but it was moved to 07:30-11:53. Honestly, I'm pretty seriously thinking that I'd rather wait in MSP for almost four hours than a minimum connection time, would they put us back?
But also relevant, is that our new flight# is the same as the MSP-AMS flight (DL160). Obviously it's a different aircraft (MD80 to A330), but does Delta using the same Flight# indicate some sort of 'married' segment and they wouldn't let the A330 leave without us?
The scheduled arrival in Amsterdam is non-negotiable for a few reasons that aren't relevant.
Was: DL2995 09:00 - 13:26
Is: DL160 10:00 - 14:23
Connecting: DL160 15:09 (MSP-AMS)
It's exactly a one hour change departing, but only 57 minutes difference in MSP. I'm freaked out because we are connecting to a DeltaOne international flight, and a 45min connection isn't something I'd ever book on (a) a snowy airport, (b) on an overseas flight, or (c) during a holiday travel weekend like Thanskgiving. Delta has now changed my flight to be (d) all of the above. EEK!
DL2995 is still available but it was moved to 07:30-11:53. Honestly, I'm pretty seriously thinking that I'd rather wait in MSP for almost four hours than a minimum connection time, would they put us back?
But also relevant, is that our new flight# is the same as the MSP-AMS flight (DL160). Obviously it's a different aircraft (MD80 to A330), but does Delta using the same Flight# indicate some sort of 'married' segment and they wouldn't let the A330 leave without us?
The scheduled arrival in Amsterdam is non-negotiable for a few reasons that aren't relevant.
#543
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,878
Hey all, first time Delta flyer coming soon - and I was just hit by a schedule change and I would like some guidance please. They changed my comfortable 100min layover to 46min.
Was: DL2995 09:00 - 13:26
Is: DL160 10:00 - 14:23
Connecting: DL160 15:09 (MSP-AMS)
It's exactly a one hour change departing, but only 57 minutes difference in MSP. I'm freaked out because we are connecting to a DeltaOne international flight, and a 45min connection isn't something I'd ever book on (a) a snowy airport, (b) on an overseas flight, or (c) during a holiday travel weekend like Thanskgiving. Delta has now changed my flight to be (d) all of the above. EEK!
DL2995 is still available but it was moved to 07:30-11:53. Honestly, I'm pretty seriously thinking that I'd rather wait in MSP for almost four hours than a minimum connection time, would they put us back?
But also relevant, is that our new flight# is the same as the MSP-AMS flight (DL160). Obviously it's a different aircraft (MD80 to A330), but does Delta using the same Flight# indicate some sort of 'married' segment and they wouldn't let the A330 leave without us?
The scheduled arrival in Amsterdam is non-negotiable for a few reasons that aren't relevant.
Was: DL2995 09:00 - 13:26
Is: DL160 10:00 - 14:23
Connecting: DL160 15:09 (MSP-AMS)
It's exactly a one hour change departing, but only 57 minutes difference in MSP. I'm freaked out because we are connecting to a DeltaOne international flight, and a 45min connection isn't something I'd ever book on (a) a snowy airport, (b) on an overseas flight, or (c) during a holiday travel weekend like Thanskgiving. Delta has now changed my flight to be (d) all of the above. EEK!
DL2995 is still available but it was moved to 07:30-11:53. Honestly, I'm pretty seriously thinking that I'd rather wait in MSP for almost four hours than a minimum connection time, would they put us back?
But also relevant, is that our new flight# is the same as the MSP-AMS flight (DL160). Obviously it's a different aircraft (MD80 to A330), but does Delta using the same Flight# indicate some sort of 'married' segment and they wouldn't let the A330 leave without us?
The scheduled arrival in Amsterdam is non-negotiable for a few reasons that aren't relevant.
Yes you are entitled to a free change.
I also would not want a 46min connection to an international flight. I would take the early morning flight to MSP.
You don't mention where your origin is (I'm guessing based on the flight times that it's on the West Coast). In which case, consider switching to SEA-AMS, SLC-AMS, LAX-AMS, SFO-AMS etc to avoid the 4-hour connection.
#544
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
The same flight number most definitely does not mean that DL will hold the 2nd plane. Actually, it offers you no benefits whatsoever. It does mean that you get fewer miles (DL will calculate the distance from your origin to AMS, rather than the sum of the distances of your 2 flights).
Yes you are entitled to a free change.
I also would not want a 46min connection to an international flight. I would take the early morning flight.
You don't mention where your origin is (I'm guessing based on the flight times that it's on the West Coast). In which case, consider switching to SEA-AMS, SLC-AMS, LAX-AMS, SFO-AMS etc to avoid the 4-hour connection.
Yes you are entitled to a free change.
I also would not want a 46min connection to an international flight. I would take the early morning flight.
You don't mention where your origin is (I'm guessing based on the flight times that it's on the West Coast). In which case, consider switching to SEA-AMS, SLC-AMS, LAX-AMS, SFO-AMS etc to avoid the 4-hour connection.
If I move to 07:30 we have a 3.25hr connection in MSP; I guess in my agitation I did the math wrong. I checked alternatives and we can't do much better than that (2.5hr if we go PHX-JFK-CDG-TXL, or 3hr if we go PHX-ATL-CDG-TXL, both of these on Air France).
So thank you for your help. I will call them to get moved to the earlier flight to Minneapolis.
#545
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
The full route is PHX-MSP-AMS-TXL. We paid $180/pp more for this routing to get to Berlin as early as possible (compared to a 19:42 MSP-AMS leg). That's the one I'd be afraid an IIROPS would result in and I know I'd never see our $360 again.
If I move to 07:30 we have a 3.25hr connection in MSP; I guess in my agitation I did the math wrong. I checked alternatives and we can't do much better than that (2.5hr if we go PHX-JFK-CDG-TXL, or 3hr if we go PHX-ATL-CDG-TXL, both of these on Air France).
So thank you for your help. I will call them to get moved to the earlier flight to Minneapolis.
If I move to 07:30 we have a 3.25hr connection in MSP; I guess in my agitation I did the math wrong. I checked alternatives and we can't do much better than that (2.5hr if we go PHX-JFK-CDG-TXL, or 3hr if we go PHX-ATL-CDG-TXL, both of these on Air France).
So thank you for your help. I will call them to get moved to the earlier flight to Minneapolis.
AF/KL are JV on TATL with DL so it doesn't matter whose metal you fly. They split costs/revenue equally. Just find the routing that works best for you and call and ask. regardless of what it sells for today they'll change for free.
#546
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Kayak Trips actually does a reasonably good job of tracking/updating for changes like this. Not perfect, but more than decent IME.
#547
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
The could move you to PHX-LAX-AMS or PHX-SLC-AMS or even PHX-SEA-AMS or PHX-LAX-CDG-TXL, etc....
AF/KL are JV on TATL with DL so it doesn't matter whose metal you fly. They split costs/revenue equally. Just find the routing that works best for you and call and ask. regardless of what it sells for today they'll change for free.
AF/KL are JV on TATL with DL so it doesn't matter whose metal you fly. They split costs/revenue equally. Just find the routing that works best for you and call and ask. regardless of what it sells for today they'll change for free.
#548
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,495
I used GUCs on KLM flights and was booked into Z class. There was a schedule change on my return flight, changing a 1.5 hour layover in AMS to a 6 hour layover. There are Air France flights on the same day with a much better layover in CDG. Any chance Delta would let me switch? I did not book one of the expensive fare codes that permit GUC usage on Air France. And there are no 1-stop routings available on Delta metal unfortunately.
#549
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
I used GUCs on KLM flights and was booked into Z class. There was a schedule change on my return flight, changing a 1.5 hour layover in AMS to a 6 hour layover. There are Air France flights on the same day with a much better layover in CDG. Any chance Delta would let me switch? I did not book one of the expensive fare codes that permit GUC usage on Air France. And there are no 1-stop routings available on Delta metal unfortunately.
Hard to give better advice without more info.
#550
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 610
Some TATL schedules affected deep into 2018
Seems like more schedule changes rolled out today, including a 70 min change in departure time for ATL-MUC in May next year - so check your TATL flights for changes.
With that in mind, my layover in Munich went from 2h to just over 3h (and in ATL layover time is 70 min less but still over MCT). Do you think I might have any options in getting a different routing?
With that in mind, my layover in Munich went from 2h to just over 3h (and in ATL layover time is 70 min less but still over MCT). Do you think I might have any options in getting a different routing?
#551
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
I also noticed the flight durations increased by nearly 30 minutes. I know they've got to keep their fantastic on-time percentage, but really?
#552
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Posts: 2,983
#553
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,878
Let's say there a route that is frequently late and passengers are unhappy about missing appointments and stressing about tight connections. DL spends a lot of money to increase the duration by 30 minutes, that results in happier and less stressed passengers. That means DL is spending money to make customers happier and less stressed. It's not such a terrible thing
#554
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,752
I have tried four separate times to accept changes on a revenue D1 ticket to SYD/AKL and each time this fails.
I will call in later if this is not resolved.
I will call in later if this is not resolved.
#555
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
Don't be too derisive here. Aircraft and crew utilisation is a big part of profitably. There's a reason that airlines are always trying to speed up boarding and lower turnover time, every minute counts. When DL does something like this, it's very expensive.
Let's say there a route that is frequently late and passengers are unhappy about missing appointments and stressing about tight connections. DL spends a lot of money to increase the duration by 30 minutes, that results in happier and less stressed passengers. That means DL is spending money to make customers happier and less stressed. It's not such a terrible thing
Let's say there a route that is frequently late and passengers are unhappy about missing appointments and stressing about tight connections. DL spends a lot of money to increase the duration by 30 minutes, that results in happier and less stressed passengers. That means DL is spending money to make customers happier and less stressed. It's not such a terrible thing
You pose some interesting points, and I agree. Someone must have done the calculations and figured it was worth it (in some sense).