How late to cancel and get credit?
Dec 21, 2019, 7:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
How late to cancel and get credit?
Hi all:
On a trip to Mexico now that we had booked a long time ago. Original return back to USA had a long and annoying connection through MEX. Just saw a good rate on a one-way nonstop on AS and bit the bullet to trim our 11+ hour return trip home down to 4 hours.
I know that I am likely to only get a credit for future travel less change fee.
Should I wait to cancel DL ticket until after the original flight departs (DL on AM metal) to make sure there were no delays that would permit me to collect a cash refund of the return portion? Or if I wait for that and there is no delay will I end up forfeiting the whole credit and walk away with $0 value?
On a trip to Mexico now that we had booked a long time ago. Original return back to USA had a long and annoying connection through MEX. Just saw a good rate on a one-way nonstop on AS and bit the bullet to trim our 11+ hour return trip home down to 4 hours.
I know that I am likely to only get a credit for future travel less change fee.
Should I wait to cancel DL ticket until after the original flight departs (DL on AM metal) to make sure there were no delays that would permit me to collect a cash refund of the return portion? Or if I wait for that and there is no delay will I end up forfeiting the whole credit and walk away with $0 value?
Dec 21, 2019, 7:36 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
Hi all:
On a trip to Mexico now that we had booked a long time ago. Original return back to USA had a long and annoying connection through MEX. Just saw a good rate on a one-way nonstop on AS and bit the bullet to trim our 11+ hour return trip home down to 4 hours.
I know that I am likely to only get a credit for future travel less change fee.
Should I wait to cancel DL ticket until after the original flight departs (DL on AM metal) to make sure there were no delays that would permit me to collect a cash refund of the return portion? Or if I wait for that and there is no delay will I end up forfeiting the whole credit and walk away with $0 value?
On a trip to Mexico now that we had booked a long time ago. Original return back to USA had a long and annoying connection through MEX. Just saw a good rate on a one-way nonstop on AS and bit the bullet to trim our 11+ hour return trip home down to 4 hours.
I know that I am likely to only get a credit for future travel less change fee.
Should I wait to cancel DL ticket until after the original flight departs (DL on AM metal) to make sure there were no delays that would permit me to collect a cash refund of the return portion? Or if I wait for that and there is no delay will I end up forfeiting the whole credit and walk away with $0 value?
Most of Delta's domestic fare rules don't have a cancel before departure provision but that may not be true for international fares (except for Basic Economy of course).
Can you find the fare basis on your receipt? If so, you can use Expertflyer to find the rules.
Dec 21, 2019, 8:05 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Completely depends on the far rules - did you buy an AM fare or a DL fare?
Most of Delta's domestic fare rules don't have a cancel before departure provision but that may not be true for international fares (except for Basic Economy of course).
Can you find the fare basis on your receipt? If so, you can use Expertflyer to find the rules.
Most of Delta's domestic fare rules don't have a cancel before departure provision but that may not be true for international fares (except for Basic Economy of course).
Can you find the fare basis on your receipt? If so, you can use Expertflyer to find the rules.
Dec 21, 2019, 8:31 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
Dec 21, 2019, 11:38 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,393
Even if that's a lie? (Yes, I realize that anyone *can* say anything......)
Dec 21, 2019, 11:51 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
I would not lie. I just want to use the rules to my advantage (just as Delta does). In the past I’ve bad luck getting the change fee cut by 50% but they seem to be a bit stricter about favors right now.
Dec 21, 2019, 1:31 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
If it were me, I would probably wait to see the status of the inbound aircraft and also monitor the weather/delays in the connection city to gauge the probability of a delay. But I tend to cancel flights before departure - just to be safe.
Dec 21, 2019, 2:37 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,179
[QUOTE=TTT;31864265]If it were me, I would probably wait to see the status of the inbound aircraft and also monitor the weather/delays in the connection city to gauge the probability of a delay. But I tend to cancel flights before departure - just to be safe.[/QUOTE
Change fees are generally waived with a 60-minute delay and refunds can be requested generally with a 90-minute delay.
Change fees are generally waived with a 60-minute delay and refunds can be requested generally with a 90-minute delay.
Dec 21, 2019, 3:39 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
If everything is on time then I generally just cancel at checkin time.