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
Feb 3, 2019, 10:01 am
#811
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: American Express Membership Rewards, Marriott Rewards Platinum
Posts: 107
Schedule Change Fail
Another Saturday... another round of schedule changes. This time, several flight numbers have changed, although the times and equipment stayed the same.
Several of my existing bookings (including a FB award departing in 1 week and 006 revenue tickets) did not get updated, and still showed old flight numbers that no longer correspond to an operating flight. Looking in the app, seat assignments were deleted on affected segments and equipment field was blank.
Took a quick call to reissue with the new flight numbers, after which I could reselect seats. I wonder if this would have been picked up had I not happened to look.
Several of my existing bookings (including a FB award departing in 1 week and 006 revenue tickets) did not get updated, and still showed old flight numbers that no longer correspond to an operating flight. Looking in the app, seat assignments were deleted on affected segments and equipment field was blank.
Took a quick call to reissue with the new flight numbers, after which I could reselect seats. I wonder if this would have been picked up had I not happened to look.
Feb 5, 2019, 7:45 am
#813
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 19
I had a Similar issue on Sunday. They changed the flight number and then moved my friend from his Aisle seat to a middle seat on our flight from ATL to FCO and of course there were no other open seats. To my surprise though they were able to rebook us on a better flight that left 6 hours later but got in 1.5 hours later then the original one flying SEA-AMS-FCO instead of SEA-ATL-FCO.
Feb 25, 2019, 8:28 am
#814
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: American Express Membership Rewards, Marriott Rewards Platinum
Posts: 107
And another flight number change this past Saturday, although the booking did not get updated and still showed the outdated flight number with no seat assignment. I called Delta who would not touch the ticket as it was a FB reward CVG-JFK-CDG-AMS. All delta metal except CDG-AMS. HUCA with same result.
I called FB who stated that no award seats were available CVG-JFK. They ended up routing me CVG-BOS-AMS on DL/KLM in I/C class. They must have opened space on KLM. So the flight number change broke the award, although I ended up with a more direct routing.
I called FB who stated that no award seats were available CVG-JFK. They ended up routing me CVG-BOS-AMS on DL/KLM in I/C class. They must have opened space on KLM. So the flight number change broke the award, although I ended up with a more direct routing.
Feb 25, 2019, 9:31 am
#815
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: SJC/SFO. EWR/JFK
Programs: AS MVP 100K, DL PL
Posts: 542
flight# change - can I choose leave early?
i had a flight sjc-ATL-dtw-ith, first two legs flight number changed (no big time changes no more than 10 minutes), arriving in ITH 15 minutes late than scheduled... should I expect I can leave sjc early on that day on a different flight without change fee?
Feb 25, 2019, 9:54 am
#816
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,934
(for completeness: or change of operating carrier but that seems unlikely given your itinerary)
Feb 25, 2019, 10:04 am
#817
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Happy Saturday! One can obsess over the risks of a change or just wait until Monday to see if things settle to your satisfaction.
Schedule changes to FlyingBlue awards are the responsibility of FB until IROPs day of departure. It's an industry convention across ~290 carriers worldwide.
Schedule changes to FlyingBlue awards are the responsibility of FB until IROPs day of departure. It's an industry convention across ~290 carriers worldwide.
Mar 3, 2019, 7:42 am
#818
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,242
Flying BCN-JFK-RDU. Just had a schedule change on JFk-RDU. Now it is 3 hours earlier. So I have 2 hours to make my connection in JFK. I've had other schedule changes on other flights but they were 20-30 minutes. It's nice to get home earlier but I had hoped to visit the lounge on the way home.
Mar 3, 2019, 7:44 am
#819
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,118
With a schedule change of 3 hours, you can change to something else, including a longer connection, if you like. Research your options in advance and call DL if you want a different flight.
Mar 22, 2019, 6:37 pm
#823
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Booked an Award Ticket in January for June 2019 in First class: RAP-MSP-SLC-SFO / 43K Skymiles. I booked First class because I wanted to fullfil the DL rules not to take up place to the neighbour's place in a coach seat row... For me totaly understandable and no question to do so!
Now all the flights RAP-MSP have been downgraded from a CR9 to CR2 except to the 06:20am flight. I was booked on the 08:00 flight and been downgraded theoretically to Delta Coach+, but at the end ending up in row 6 at a regular coach seat. So far no problem for me to fly coach, not at all! Called DL callcenter and informed them about the facts, if they want to fly me in coach, my neighbour will be squeezed to the fuselage wall... I proactive pedged for an extraseat on this flight with no charges to me. But the DL callcenter dragons were very uninterested about all this facts and meant that no extraseat for free is possible (even if I had a contract with DL to be transported in F-cl from A to Z), unless I pay for it with cash.. The callcenter rep and supervisor informed they were unable to accomplish a solution for me and my proposals to solve the problems were unable to manage a correspondand solution for me. They did not really take care about my schedule change and the problem caused... All they offered was a free cancellation of the ticket, thank you very much!
The only other option the offered to me was to leave at 06:20am, which is still a CR9 with F-cl, and wait an additional of 2hrs at MSP for the connecting flight. I am no early riser, with this departure time it would kill my day
. But good, be proactive! Would agree to this solution if DL would sponsor me a Daypass for the Skyclub as incovenience for the whole troubles... A No was the answer from the reps. That would only be in power of the Airport Staff, in the callcenter they could do nothing for me. Samesame confirmed by the less useful supervisor of the callcenter...
Finally we ended to solve the problem at the Airport before departure as - according the lazy callcenter reps - they would have all the power and right to 'moving mountains'... Yes... Well actually I don't really care about it. I clearly adviced DL about the 'problem' this downgrading caused (to another passenger next to me) and they were not willing to solve the problem.
Do you think, would it be worth to contact DL's social media or customer relations? Or is ist just wasted time? Any recommandation is very welcomed, thank you in advance!
Now all the flights RAP-MSP have been downgraded from a CR9 to CR2 except to the 06:20am flight. I was booked on the 08:00 flight and been downgraded theoretically to Delta Coach+, but at the end ending up in row 6 at a regular coach seat. So far no problem for me to fly coach, not at all! Called DL callcenter and informed them about the facts, if they want to fly me in coach, my neighbour will be squeezed to the fuselage wall... I proactive pedged for an extraseat on this flight with no charges to me. But the DL callcenter dragons were very uninterested about all this facts and meant that no extraseat for free is possible (even if I had a contract with DL to be transported in F-cl from A to Z), unless I pay for it with cash.. The callcenter rep and supervisor informed they were unable to accomplish a solution for me and my proposals to solve the problems were unable to manage a correspondand solution for me. They did not really take care about my schedule change and the problem caused... All they offered was a free cancellation of the ticket, thank you very much!
The only other option the offered to me was to leave at 06:20am, which is still a CR9 with F-cl, and wait an additional of 2hrs at MSP for the connecting flight. I am no early riser, with this departure time it would kill my day
. But good, be proactive! Would agree to this solution if DL would sponsor me a Daypass for the Skyclub as incovenience for the whole troubles... A No was the answer from the reps. That would only be in power of the Airport Staff, in the callcenter they could do nothing for me. Samesame confirmed by the less useful supervisor of the callcenter...Finally we ended to solve the problem at the Airport before departure as - according the lazy callcenter reps - they would have all the power and right to 'moving mountains'... Yes... Well actually I don't really care about it. I clearly adviced DL about the 'problem' this downgrading caused (to another passenger next to me) and they were not willing to solve the problem.
Do you think, would it be worth to contact DL's social media or customer relations? Or is ist just wasted time? Any recommandation is very welcomed, thank you in advance!
Last edited by Air Rarotonga; Mar 22, 2019 at 6:43 pm
Mar 22, 2019, 7:02 pm
#824
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
Booked an Award Ticket in January for June 2019 in First class: RAP-MSP-SLC-SFO / 43K Skymiles. I booked First class because I wanted to fullfil the DL rules not to take up place to the neighbour's place in a coach seat row... For me totaly understandable and no question to do so!
Now all the flights RAP-MSP have been downgraded from a CR9 to CR2 except to the 06:20am flight. I was booked on the 08:00 flight and been downgraded theoretically to Delta Coach+, but at the end ending up in row 6 at a regular coach seat. So far no problem for me to fly coach, not at all! Called DL callcenter and informed them about the facts, if they want to fly me in coach, my neighbour will be squeezed to the fuselage wall... I proactive pedged for an extraseat on this flight with no charges to me. But the DL callcenter dragons were very uninterested about all this facts and meant that no extraseat for free is possible (even if I had a contract with DL to be transported in F-cl from A to Z), unless I pay for it with cash.. The callcenter rep and supervisor informed they were unable to accomplish a solution for me and my proposals to solve the problems were unable to manage a correspondand solution for me. They did not really take care about my schedule change and the problem caused... All they offered was a free cancellation of the ticket, thank you very much!
The only other option the offered to me was to leave at 06:20am, which is still a CR9 with F-cl, and wait an additional of 2hrs at MSP for the connecting flight. I am no early riser, with this departure time it would kill my day. But good, be proactive! Would agree to this solution if DL would sponsor me a Daypass for the Skyclub as incovenience for the whole troubles... A No was the answer from the reps. That would only be in power of the Airport Staff, in the callcenter they could do nothing for me. Samesame confirmed by the less useful supervisor of the callcenter...
Finally we ended to solve the problem at the Airport before departure as - according the lazy callcenter reps - they would have all the power and right to 'moving mountains'... Yes... Well actually I don't really care about it. I clearly adviced DL about the 'problem' this downgrading caused (to another passenger next to me) and they were not willing to solve the problem.
Do you think, would it be worth to contact DL's social media or customer relations? Or is ist just wasted time? Any recommandation is very welcomed, thank you in advance!
Now all the flights RAP-MSP have been downgraded from a CR9 to CR2 except to the 06:20am flight. I was booked on the 08:00 flight and been downgraded theoretically to Delta Coach+, but at the end ending up in row 6 at a regular coach seat. So far no problem for me to fly coach, not at all! Called DL callcenter and informed them about the facts, if they want to fly me in coach, my neighbour will be squeezed to the fuselage wall... I proactive pedged for an extraseat on this flight with no charges to me. But the DL callcenter dragons were very uninterested about all this facts and meant that no extraseat for free is possible (even if I had a contract with DL to be transported in F-cl from A to Z), unless I pay for it with cash.. The callcenter rep and supervisor informed they were unable to accomplish a solution for me and my proposals to solve the problems were unable to manage a correspondand solution for me. They did not really take care about my schedule change and the problem caused... All they offered was a free cancellation of the ticket, thank you very much!
The only other option the offered to me was to leave at 06:20am, which is still a CR9 with F-cl, and wait an additional of 2hrs at MSP for the connecting flight. I am no early riser, with this departure time it would kill my day
. But good, be proactive! Would agree to this solution if DL would sponsor me a Daypass for the Skyclub as incovenience for the whole troubles... A No was the answer from the reps. That would only be in power of the Airport Staff, in the callcenter they could do nothing for me. Samesame confirmed by the less useful supervisor of the callcenter...Finally we ended to solve the problem at the Airport before departure as - according the lazy callcenter reps - they would have all the power and right to 'moving mountains'... Yes... Well actually I don't really care about it. I clearly adviced DL about the 'problem' this downgrading caused (to another passenger next to me) and they were not willing to solve the problem.
Do you think, would it be worth to contact DL's social media or customer relations? Or is ist just wasted time? Any recommandation is very welcomed, thank you in advance!
Mar 22, 2019, 7:05 pm
#825
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Empty coach seats and club passes are not part of your entitlement. You waste their time and yours asking for such things. If only the 6:20AM flight has an F cabin you can depart on that flight, fly in coach, or ask for a refund.