I am reading different opinions and delta says they are but then it says they arent. US domestic basic award cancellation has no fee for redeposit of miles? Is day of travel cancellation ok too?

Basic Economy award fares are non-changeable and non-refundable. Where do see Delta claim they are refundable? You can see they specifically excluded them in announcement below. They may have allowed it on tickets purchased on/before April 30, 2021 when revenue basic economy fares were still changeable due to Covid.

https://news.delta.com/delta-extends...y-award-travel

Also, they exclude Basic Economy awards here on redeposit fee waiver --

https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-p...ng-made-simple


SkyMiles Members can also now enjoy greater flexibility and peace of mind when traveling on an Award Ticket with the ability to change their plans at any time.

The following changes are effective immediately for Award Tickets for travel originating in North America to anywhere in the world, excluding Basic Economy tickets:

• Award Ticket redeposit and reissue fees have been eliminated

• Members may change or cancel Award Tickets before departure. No longer will changes and cancellations made within 72 hours of departure result in the loss of miles*

*For tickets purchased after August 9, 2020.

here says no fee but then it says no fee but basic economy.

https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...vel-with-miles

It still excludes Basic Economy awards if you look at the additional terms meaning Basic Economy awards cannot be changed or redeposited. Nowhere does it say that award redeposits are available for all award tickets.

Additional Details & Terms**
Changes to origin, destination, routing, date and time are permitted except for Basic Economy tickets, and the mileage difference (and any applicable taxes) for the new Award ticket will apply. Effective September 22, 2020 for travel within the domestic U.S., and effective December 9, 2020 for travel originating from North America to anywhere in the world (including flights operated by joint venture and codeshare partners), Members may change or cancel Award tickets for travel without a redeposit or change fee, excluding Basic Economy fares

Your only hope is a significant schedule change, delay or cancellation. Otherwise Basic Economy tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable, even for a fee.

gotcha, thanks both

I tried to do a main cabin award and it does say before booking "Changeable / Nonrefundable "

Does this mean no free redeposit if id like to cancel on day of departure? Sorry its so confusing!

Sll awards except for basic can be refunded. Not sure why it says NONREF.

Are Basic awards refundable again (until 12/31/21) given the reinstated waiver?

They only said changeable not refundable.

I have redeposited many BE tickets at no charge.

They were refundable till end of April/May under waiver.

BE Tickets ticketed by end of April/May have always been refundable.

Correct. However those bought after aren't, and new waive AFAIK only Grant's changes,not refunds.

I have redeposited/refunded probably 50-60 BE tickets bought throughout all of 2020 and 2021 with zero pushback. Miles always go back immediately. Taxes always show up within 2-3 days.

This is nice to know. However, your tickets were bought when eligible to be refunded and/or had qualifying event that allowed for refund aka schedule change. Tickets bought since end of April/May (don't remember which) have not had this option. The waiver just posted (which is what OP asks about) allows for changes, not refunds.