Are Delta "Basic" Award Flights Fully Refundable?
 

I was under the understanding that "Basic" award seats with Delta are not refundable back to miles.
But today I was reading on social media someone's experiences with booking a few one-way Basic flights with Delta from the U.S to Taiwan, and they said they were able to cancel for a full refund.

So I'm wondering whether I misunderstood some things I read a year ago about Basic award tickets being non-refundable, or perhaps there has been a change?

Of course, I'd prefer Basic to save some miles if it really can be CHANGED and fully CANCELED for free. But I was thinking it was only Main and up and that was changeable and refundable?

Tia!

Technically there us a fee to change. However most agents don't impose it.

Note schedule changes, etc can result in free refund also.

thanks! but can you get it by cancelling online?

AFAIK the cancellation penalty for BE awards is not being enforced online.

They definitely do not claim they are "fully refundable". They just copied the rules for BE revenue fares when booking, instead of BE awards, and says "cancel for partial e-Credit" at booking. It shoud say partial mileage credit with 9900 mile deduction for US/Canada awards and 19,900 for long-haul international.
This was announced way back in 2021, but is apparently not being enforced according to several reports.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b20b7e9c60.png

https://pro.delta.com/content/agency...c-economy.html

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7e301c0aee.png


https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/overview
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...919365da10.png

I was Googling for an answer to a new question.. and funny enough my own thread here popped up as the first result.. but it doesn't entirely answer my current questions.
I'm looking at HND-SEA and I see now there is something called "Main (Basic)" with miles redemption. What the heck is this? lol
I'm searching for nothing lower than Main.. and the results all say Main (Basic).. is this a new thing? Or was it always like that but I never noticed?

Also, I wanted to double-check and ask to make sure even if I booked a Basic for a cheaper price in miles.. Delta is still always refunding Asia->U.S Basic flights booked with miles?

TIA!

Presuming your flight is >October?
Delta is introducing new terminology. For the 'old' main cabin fares, look for Main Classic

https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/...el-experiences

it's before October. Please see attachment.
This is when I search Main
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...46c322cf40.png


though I was reminded by this thread that Delta seems to make Basic award flights refundable too.. so perhaps I should book Basic so it's cheaper and still refundable?

I just realized something... I thought my Delta search settings were set to always search for Main.. but now as I check more carefully.. I'm seeing Delta has changed their web site.. Now there is a Main Basic and Delta Main. Are both fully refundable for award flights? I don't understand why they have to make a change like that to confuse people.

There's supposed to be a 9,900 mile deduction for travel within US/Canada Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) awards and a 19,900 mile deduction for international ones. There have been some reports they are not actually assessing this deduction, but it is definitely documented .
https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/overview

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...10728ea183.png

excuse my first reply above.. I was confused. Turns out for HND-SEA, I'm not even seeing "Basic" as an option anymore. I'm only seeing Main Basic and Main. I'm trying to understand what difference there is between them as the web site isn't showing it clearly. I was going to book one refundable award flight today.. but now I'm confused if it will be refundable if I choose Main Basic, and / or what are the benefits of Main over Main Basic. Tia

Main Basic is the same as Basic. If you want to be sure to avoid the mileage deduction (and other restrictions like no advance seat selection), you need to book just plain "Main".