AntonS

I had good success cancelling award tickets less than 72 hours before departure and getting miles back. I think I did it 2 or 3 times over the last two years. Mind you, I am not trying to abuse it bookong flights that I do not intend to fly -- but rather had unexpected change of plans last minute.

"With your status it's not a problem at all to make exception" the agent said.

It's great that Delta is flexible with waiving 72 hour rule, but I would really love to have ability to cancel with possibly some penalty (i.e. do need waive change/redeposit fee for elites, higher fee closer to departure for non-elites).

What is your guys experience with 72 hour cancellarion and would you like to have flexibility to cancel within 72 hours with higher fee?

luv2ctheworld

I find just the inability to cancel preposterous.

These aren't discounted, like basic economy. They're regularly priced award seats that should be cancelable up to departure.

The fact they don't is just another means for them to devalue the program.

Paplover

xliioper

DL has Basic Economy awards now. Like BE revenue tickets, they don't allow for cancellation/redeposit (including DM/PM).

bubbashow

THIS!

I find it preposterous that people (on this site that bragged about such activities) don't remember. Gamers gamed, so Delta changed.

Often1

I doubt that it was the bragging, but rather the volume. It's likely an easy enough fraud to catch and once it becomes large enough, the fare rule became the only way to stop it.

btonkid12345

?? Don't they have a Revenue Protection Unit that has software that could easily flag such abusive behavior.

I don't agree with the abuse. At all. I hate it. But, its annoying that AA allows cancellation and refund of miles up to 1 year after departure (not sure if the reservation has to be cancelled before 72 hours but the ticket refund can be processed later or what exactly) but if AA can do it up to departure without fee for their EPs, Delta should be able to do it for their DMs especially those who don't abuse.

Why not make it a DM exclusive benefit - cancel award tickets up until departure

btonkid12345

Agreed. AA can do it. UA can do it. Both for their top tier elites, free, at least prior to departure at any point (no 72 hour rule).

jdrtravel

Has anyone on here actually ever been denied a redeposit within 72 hours when they called and asked? In my experience this is one of the more flexible policies they have, with agents having direct discretion over it (no need for a supervisor).

I think the 72 hours policy is good for discouraging PM/DMs from holding valuable award space that others may need for last minute travel.

flyerCO

I've never been denied making a change. However I've been denied asking for a straight out cancel. To be fair, I've also been granted a refund in that situation. Seems to be a YMMV situation with a lot of agent discretion.

sydneyracquelle

mridley2

disagree. if you cannot commit to a flight at T-72 hours well I think one should only fly private jets.

72 hours is perfectly reasonable. And it prevents fraud and abuse for a whole host or reasons. This is a good policy. The reverse is delta over charging for all award flights to accommodate those who will simply no show and then delta has an empty seat (albeit paid for).

SamOF

What kind of job/life/relationships/immune system do you have that would lead you to make that claim?

flyerCO

None. Not sure where you're getting that difference from. I said I've had no problems making a change. Generally straight out cancelling no luck, but have also had it happen.

Orange County Commuter