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
Jul 21, 2018, 2:51 pm
#766
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: LAN
Programs: DL Skymiles, AF/KL Flying Blue
Posts: 304
Had changes to both LAN-DTW and DTW-LAN in late November/early December. Times are exactly the same, still a CRJ-200, still operated by SkyWest. Only the flight numbers changed from 4210 to 3849 LAN-DTW and from 4274 to 3684 DTW-LAN. And here I thought this would be exciting. 
Jul 21, 2018, 3:05 pm
#767
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,322
Aug 18, 2018, 2:50 pm
#768
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: LAN
Programs: DL Skymiles, AF/KL Flying Blue
Posts: 304
Well, I gambled with separate tickets and lost. 
No availability for an award ticket LED-AMS-DTW-LAN, but I was able to get the LED-AMS-DTW leg cheap, and then just tacked on a $99 one-way DTW-LAN. My AMS-DTW flight gets in at 1:11 PM, and I had a 3:50 departure on my separate ticket to LAN. Schedule change today canceled that 3:50 flight. I was rebooked on the 12:15 departure - nearly an hour before I land in Detroit. Since this is a separate ticket, I'm thinking I'm SOL unless I want to wait until the evening departure to LAN at 8:21. I really don't want a 7-hour layover in Detroit when I could basically walk home quicker, and I'd prefer to not have to take the Michigan flyer to East Lansing and then take a Lyft home, since God only knows what the weather will be like in early December when I get back.
My question: Does anyone think I would have any luck pleading my case to Delta to switch me to the 7:00 AM departure from Amsterdam that arrives in Detroit at 10:30 instead? I know that's a separate ticket, but that would save me from having to use my free cancelation due to the 1 hour+ schedule change or from having to endure an overly long layover in Detroit. I think I might try calling bright and early tomorrow morning - I've had extremely good luck with the Atlanta-based phone reps on Sunday mornings in the past, so here's hoping. (edit: Looks like the low-level availability is still there... although I booked my ticket before the TATL ticket prices jumped recently, so I don't know if that might work against me...)
No availability for an award ticket LED-AMS-DTW-LAN, but I was able to get the LED-AMS-DTW leg cheap, and then just tacked on a $99 one-way DTW-LAN. My AMS-DTW flight gets in at 1:11 PM, and I had a 3:50 departure on my separate ticket to LAN. Schedule change today canceled that 3:50 flight. I was rebooked on the 12:15 departure - nearly an hour before I land in Detroit. Since this is a separate ticket, I'm thinking I'm SOL unless I want to wait until the evening departure to LAN at 8:21. I really don't want a 7-hour layover in Detroit when I could basically walk home quicker, and I'd prefer to not have to take the Michigan flyer to East Lansing and then take a Lyft home, since God only knows what the weather will be like in early December when I get back.
My question: Does anyone think I would have any luck pleading my case to Delta to switch me to the 7:00 AM departure from Amsterdam that arrives in Detroit at 10:30 instead? I know that's a separate ticket, but that would save me from having to use my free cancelation due to the 1 hour+ schedule change or from having to endure an overly long layover in Detroit. I think I might try calling bright and early tomorrow morning - I've had extremely good luck with the Atlanta-based phone reps on Sunday mornings in the past, so here's hoping. (edit: Looks like the low-level availability is still there... although I booked my ticket before the TATL ticket prices jumped recently, so I don't know if that might work against me...)
Last edited by eastindywalrus; Aug 18, 2018 at 3:06 pm
Aug 18, 2018, 3:22 pm
#769
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
Delta should be able to help you out even if you're on separate tickets (as long as they're both ticketed by delta or partners). This isn't an unusual situation. Just call in, you're almost certain to get help.
Even if you didn't have the other ticket, just having your DTW-LAN ticket cancelled gives you a lot of flexibility. It's really inconceivable that Delta will tell you to pound sand here.
Even if you didn't have the other ticket, just having your DTW-LAN ticket cancelled gives you a lot of flexibility. It's really inconceivable that Delta will tell you to pound sand here.
Aug 18, 2018, 3:59 pm
#770
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,358
Well, I gambled with separate tickets and lost.
No availability for an award ticket LED-AMS-DTW-LAN, but I was able to get the LED-AMS-DTW leg cheap, and then just tacked on a $99 one-way DTW-LAN. My AMS-DTW flight gets in at 1:11 PM, and I had a 3:50 departure on my separate ticket to LAN. Schedule change today canceled that 3:50 flight. I was rebooked on the 12:15 departure - nearly an hour before I land in Detroit. Since this is a separate ticket, I'm thinking I'm SOL unless I want to wait until the evening departure to LAN at 8:21. I really don't want a 7-hour layover in Detroit when I could basically walk home quicker, and I'd prefer to not have to take the Michigan flyer to East Lansing and then take a Lyft home, since God only knows what the weather will be like in early December when I get back.
My question: Does anyone think I would have any luck pleading my case to Delta to switch me to the 7:00 AM departure from Amsterdam that arrives in Detroit at 10:30 instead? I know that's a separate ticket, but that would save me from having to use my free cancelation due to the 1 hour+ schedule change or from having to endure an overly long layover in Detroit. I think I might try calling bright and early tomorrow morning - I've had extremely good luck with the Atlanta-based phone reps on Sunday mornings in the past, so here's hoping. (edit: Looks like the low-level availability is still there... although I booked my ticket before the TATL ticket prices jumped recently, so I don't know if that might work against me...)
No availability for an award ticket LED-AMS-DTW-LAN, but I was able to get the LED-AMS-DTW leg cheap, and then just tacked on a $99 one-way DTW-LAN. My AMS-DTW flight gets in at 1:11 PM, and I had a 3:50 departure on my separate ticket to LAN. Schedule change today canceled that 3:50 flight. I was rebooked on the 12:15 departure - nearly an hour before I land in Detroit. Since this is a separate ticket, I'm thinking I'm SOL unless I want to wait until the evening departure to LAN at 8:21. I really don't want a 7-hour layover in Detroit when I could basically walk home quicker, and I'd prefer to not have to take the Michigan flyer to East Lansing and then take a Lyft home, since God only knows what the weather will be like in early December when I get back.
My question: Does anyone think I would have any luck pleading my case to Delta to switch me to the 7:00 AM departure from Amsterdam that arrives in Detroit at 10:30 instead? I know that's a separate ticket, but that would save me from having to use my free cancelation due to the 1 hour+ schedule change or from having to endure an overly long layover in Detroit. I think I might try calling bright and early tomorrow morning - I've had extremely good luck with the Atlanta-based phone reps on Sunday mornings in the past, so here's hoping. (edit: Looks like the low-level availability is still there... although I booked my ticket before the TATL ticket prices jumped recently, so I don't know if that might work against me...)
DL can force open award space on its own flights as needed.
Aug 18, 2018, 4:10 pm
#771
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: LAN
Programs: DL Skymiles, AF/KL Flying Blue
Posts: 304
Delta should be able to help you out even if you're on separate tickets (as long as they're both ticketed by delta or partners). This isn't an unusual situation. Just call in, you're almost certain to get help.
Even if you didn't have the other ticket, just having your DTW-LAN ticket cancelled gives you a lot of flexibility. It's really inconceivable that Delta will tell you to pound sand here.
Even if you didn't have the other ticket, just having your DTW-LAN ticket cancelled gives you a lot of flexibility. It's really inconceivable that Delta will tell you to pound sand here.
You should be fine, as long as both tickets are DL or at worst, SkyTeam/JV partners. Last year I had two separate tickets where a schedule change didn’t even cause an “illegal connection” but significantly shortened my time between tickets from about 90 Minutes to about 75 min on a D-I situation and they rebooked me for an earlier arrival into my “connecting” airport at no cost difference to ensure I’d make the next flight.
DL can force open award space on its own flights as needed.
Aug 18, 2018, 8:23 pm
#773
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 613
Just checked my tickets and as expected had a schedule change. DL has been great before on this but not sure what the practicality of it would be this time. We’re on a nonstop JFK-SJU. As we live 15 minutes from SWF we of course would love to change it there if later there’s a significant schedule change.
On GF no flights appear from SWF-SJU for sale. You can buy an SWF-DTW then DTW to SJU but that’s it. Would they merge the tickets? And if any wonder why add an extra stop, 3 hours to JFK on a Friday afternoon and returning at 9 pm then a 2 hr ride back. Finding friends to give us a ride and give them gas money and tolls makes SWF much more appealing.
Thanks in advance.
On GF no flights appear from SWF-SJU for sale. You can buy an SWF-DTW then DTW to SJU but that’s it. Would they merge the tickets? And if any wonder why add an extra stop, 3 hours to JFK on a Friday afternoon and returning at 9 pm then a 2 hr ride back. Finding friends to give us a ride and give them gas money and tolls makes SWF much more appealing.
Thanks in advance.
Aug 18, 2018, 8:33 pm
#774
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: 27,045
Just checked my tickets and as expected had a schedule change. DL has been great before on this but not sure what the practicality of it would be this time. We’re on a nonstop JFK-SJU. As we live 15 minutes from SWF we of course would love to change it there if later there’s a significant schedule change.
On GF no flights appear from SWF-SJU for sale. You can buy an SWF-DTW then DTW to SJU but that’s it. Would they merge the tickets? And if any wonder why add an extra stop, 3 hours to JFK on a Friday afternoon and returning at 9 pm then a 2 hr ride back. Finding friends to give us a ride and give them gas money and tolls makes SWF much more appealing.
Thanks in advance.
On GF no flights appear from SWF-SJU for sale. You can buy an SWF-DTW then DTW to SJU but that’s it. Would they merge the tickets? And if any wonder why add an extra stop, 3 hours to JFK on a Friday afternoon and returning at 9 pm then a 2 hr ride back. Finding friends to give us a ride and give them gas money and tolls makes SWF much more appealing.
Thanks in advance.
Aug 19, 2018, 3:15 am
#775
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 613
thanks. DL has been willing to switch airports previously multiple times due to schedule changes without a problem. I don’t know if merge was the right word to use for my proposal but basically do a swf-sju even though that ticket is not for sale online. If I fed them the flight numbers and times I’m curious if they’d let me. Granted that’s only if there’s a major schedule change.
Aug 19, 2018, 5:37 am
#776
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: LAN
Programs: DL Skymiles, AF/KL Flying Blue
Posts: 304
Well, I gambled with separate tickets and lost.
No availability for an award ticket LED-AMS-DTW-LAN, but I was able to get the LED-AMS-DTW leg cheap, and then just tacked on a $99 one-way DTW-LAN. My AMS-DTW flight gets in at 1:11 PM, and I had a 3:50 departure on my separate ticket to LAN. Schedule change today canceled that 3:50 flight. I was rebooked on the 12:15 departure - nearly an hour before I land in Detroit. Since this is a separate ticket, I'm thinking I'm SOL unless I want to wait until the evening departure to LAN at 8:21. I really don't want a 7-hour layover in Detroit when I could basically walk home quicker, and I'd prefer to not have to take the Michigan flyer to East Lansing and then take a Lyft home, since God only knows what the weather will be like in early December when I get back.
My question: Does anyone think I would have any luck pleading my case to Delta to switch me to the 7:00 AM departure from Amsterdam that arrives in Detroit at 10:30 instead? I know that's a separate ticket, but that would save me from having to use my free cancelation due to the 1 hour+ schedule change or from having to endure an overly long layover in Detroit. I think I might try calling bright and early tomorrow morning - I've had extremely good luck with the Atlanta-based phone reps on Sunday mornings in the past, so here's hoping. (edit: Looks like the low-level availability is still there... although I booked my ticket before the TATL ticket prices jumped recently, so I don't know if that might work against me...)
No availability for an award ticket LED-AMS-DTW-LAN, but I was able to get the LED-AMS-DTW leg cheap, and then just tacked on a $99 one-way DTW-LAN. My AMS-DTW flight gets in at 1:11 PM, and I had a 3:50 departure on my separate ticket to LAN. Schedule change today canceled that 3:50 flight. I was rebooked on the 12:15 departure - nearly an hour before I land in Detroit. Since this is a separate ticket, I'm thinking I'm SOL unless I want to wait until the evening departure to LAN at 8:21. I really don't want a 7-hour layover in Detroit when I could basically walk home quicker, and I'd prefer to not have to take the Michigan flyer to East Lansing and then take a Lyft home, since God only knows what the weather will be like in early December when I get back.
My question: Does anyone think I would have any luck pleading my case to Delta to switch me to the 7:00 AM departure from Amsterdam that arrives in Detroit at 10:30 instead? I know that's a separate ticket, but that would save me from having to use my free cancelation due to the 1 hour+ schedule change or from having to endure an overly long layover in Detroit. I think I might try calling bright and early tomorrow morning - I've had extremely good luck with the Atlanta-based phone reps on Sunday mornings in the past, so here's hoping. (edit: Looks like the low-level availability is still there... although I booked my ticket before the TATL ticket prices jumped recently, so I don't know if that might work against me...)
Aug 20, 2018, 10:35 am
#778
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 189
Hmm, sometime in the last month or so they must have dropped the last DTW-FLL flight in the evening on at least Friday nights in December. Been waiting to book for a cruise, and when doing a search recently noticed I wasn't getting that flight anymore :P. Work schedules make the next earlier flight not practical unfortunately, so now I'm looking at possibly having to fly the morning of the cruise, which isn't my favorite. I'd have thought there'd be enough traffic on friday nights that time of year to keep that flight active, so a bit surprising to me.
Aug 25, 2018, 3:38 pm
#779
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 88
Hmm, sometime in the last month or so they must have dropped the last DTW-FLL flight in the evening on at least Friday nights in December. Been waiting to book for a cruise, and when doing a search recently noticed I wasn't getting that flight anymore :P. Work schedules make the next earlier flight not practical unfortunately, so now I'm looking at possibly having to fly the morning of the cruise, which isn't my favorite. I'd have thought there'd be enough traffic on friday nights that time of year to keep that flight active, so a bit surprising to me.
I see one on dec 14 leaving DTW at 6:05 pm arriving in FLL at 9:23 pm. I don't know what friday you were looking at , but hopefully they will have a flight that works for you. That flying in on the day of the cruise always worries me , feel better going the day before and start your vacation a little earlier ! Hope it all works out well for you.