Possible to cancel basic economy medical issue
 

Hello. I have a flight tomorrow to Oslo Norway in basic economy. My wife may be in the early stages of a allergic reaction. This is a new medical issue for us over the past few months. When this has happened in the past usually she's down for 10 days or more in hives, swelling hands and tongue so is serious what we are told.

One ticket we used Delta credits for one ticket we paid out of pocket. In instances like this is it possible to cancel without fee? I'm just wondering what options I have if this transpires into something as it has in the past. We paid for this using amex Blue if that matters. He did not have separate travel insurance purchased.

Thanks

if you can prove medical, there is a chance you can get a credit. If you were flying FROM Europe (rather than to), there are more protections and wiggle room.

https://www.delta.com/us/en/change-cancel/overview

However, we've seen travel providers like Viking completely put the screws to people this year.
So YMMV.

You can cancel or change a Basic Economy ticket to Europe for a credit minus a $199 change fee per person. Unfortunately you declined travel insurance and agreed to basic terms at purchase. Still an agent might agree to waive the fees. Call and ask.

I’ve been able to cancel several BE tickets for free. Call in and say golly shucks darn I made a big mistake I wasn’t looking carefully enough, I would never buy BE and I’d like to upgrade my flight(s) to main cabin/comfort+/first class how much would it be? They always let me pay to upgrade in money or miles. Then the next day or a few hours later call in to cancel the whole ticket and get a 100% ecredit. YMMV.

:td:

Why not own up to your own decisions? You clearly state your knowledge of your own decisions …

I like how people are proud of saying “DYKWIA” on here.


after all why should anyone abide by agreements. I assume that’s ok when someone does or to you 😂

As often as this participant posts on FT, and apparently flies DL and purchases DL tickets, I’m shocked this poster would even be caught dead purchasing even one BE ticket in the first place, considering he/she is as knowledgeable about DL policies and ticketing/flying procedures!

I am trying to imagine a frequent flyer forum where people don't help each other save money. It sounds like a miserable place to be.

T​​​​hey ARE owning up to their decisions by finding a solution to their problem like an adult. Not parading around saying DYKWIA because you spend OPM (or throwing away your own cash) and that somehow makes you feel superior.

Delta chose to enact this BE medallion tax on everyone a few years ago...now we either find other airlines or learn how to play their dumb game.

Like the OP suggested, I have gotten DL to refund BE fares during medical emergencies myself. I will frequently save $500-$1000 R/T flying my family in BE since PM status means nothing as a family. I understand the game. I wouldn't look to do ask for refunds frequently...but the person on the other end of the phone has a brain too.

With a family of 5 going on vacation 3-4 times per year BE tickets can save a lot on 30-40 one-way tickets.

Yes, considering international tickets are up to $70 each way.

the counter argument to begging Delta is purchasing insurance.
Which, as others might have seen, I do a lot - and screwed myself after cancelling a mileage ticket because we wanted another itinerary.

But - it was on me - I ate $60 ....

Pretending you don't know what you're doing is the opposite of DYKWIA.

As for abiding by agreements, what "agreement" is it that the poster is not abiding by? Delta apparently allows you to upfare from basic to main. They also allow you to cancel main cabin fares for an e-credit without penalty. So what "agreement" is the poster breaking?

I do second/third/fourth the questioning of the curious decision to purchase basic fares in the first place though.

the issue with this particular individual isn’t so much “breaking rules” as gleefully exploiting loopholes and boasting about it

it’s more about ethics (and setting an example for three kids) than anything else

Two different posters. One who, if taken at face value, is experiencing a medical issue outside their control. The other who freely admitted to consistently buying BE tickets while being fully aware of their rules and restrictions, repeatedly lying to/manipulating agents to allow her to make a change not otherwise permitted and gain ticket flexibility, and using that to ultimately cancel the ticket dodging the rules she was fully aware of from the outset. These are nowhere near the same. This kind of abuse by the latter poster is what leads to flexibility/exceptions being eliminated for situations like the one the former poster is currently experiencing.

Exploiting loopholes is what attracted me to this website 15+ years ago...no one is doing anything against any type of rule here.
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