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Yes, You Can Cancel Delta SkyMiles Awards Free During Coronavirus

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Airlines are offering some unprecedented flexibility amid the coronavirus outbreak, offering free change or cancellation on nearly all flights booked through March 30, 2021 (and, in some cases, beyond) and for previously booked travel scheduled through the end of the year.

But did you book your ticket with airline miles? You may not be so lucky – unless if you booked with Delta SkyMiles. Delta has confirmed that it's treating these free change and cancellation waivers exactly the same, whether you booked with cash or SkyMiles.

“The same rules apply whether a flight is booked with cash or miles,” Delta has said. “For award flights that qualify for a change fee waiver, we are also waiving the mile redeposit fee.”

And any taxes and fees paid for your award ticket will get refunded, too.
Delta One business class suite

Delta typically charges a $150 redeposit fee to cancel an award booking to get your miles back. Waiving that fee is typically reserved for top-tier Delta Platinum or Medallion status holders – it's one of the best perks of Medallion status.

But amid this uncertainty, everyone gets that treatment. It applies to all new award tickets booked through March 2021, as well as any previously booked awards scheduled for travel through March 2021.

Even basic economy award fares can be canceled for free.

Read our guide on how Delta SkyMiles work – and how to make them work for you.

And it's just another instance where Delta stands out against its competitors.

 

Bottom Line

Delta is continually setting itself apart from its main competitors. Just add its generous refund policy when canceling a ticket booked with SkyMiles to the list.

 

Lead photo courtesy of Chris Lundberg via Flickr

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

12 Responses

  • I recently cancelled a flight with Delta that was for me and my brother was flying on the Companion Pass. When I went to use my credit for the flight I cancelled..no problem..BUT because my brother was not going to travel with me on this flight, the Companion Pass was CANCELLED. The Companion Pass did not expire until Dec 31, 2020, but because I’m not using my credit with my brother using the Companion Pass on this trip., I LOSE THE COMPANION PASS!!!

  • I can tell you first hand, Delta lived up to their Customer first promise. I changed my ticket Saturday March 14th to 15th. On my way back my family who was flying on a Companion fare, decided to take the first flight out instead of the last flight one so we could all travel together. No sweat. Delta changed at no extra charge. I am a Million Miler on Delta. Glad I use them.

  • This may be stupid but, in your statement “If you’re traveling to Europe, it’s even more generous – you can cancel any award flight scheduled through May and get your miles back. And any taxes and fees paid for your award ticket will get refunded, too.”

    1. Does that mean through May 31st? I have an award ticket MCO-AMS-MCO Apr 21-May 16.
    2. I also have an award ticket booked on the Delta website but it is a KLM flight Apr 26 AMS-BUD. Will they refund taxes and fees on this flight?
    3. I also have a “un-refundable” purchased ticket (purchased over phone with Delta agent) on KLM 14 May MUC-AMS. Will they refund this ticket including taxes and fees.

    Too far out for me to call and ask them and I don’t want to cancel anything until I know what to expect.

    Thanks

    • Lots of good questions here, and I’ll answer as best I can.

      1. Yes, for travel through May 31.
      2. Unclear — we have asked Delta if this policy applies to partner awards but have not heard back yet. Will report back ASAP.
      3. I don’t believe so, but am not positive. Check first with KLM – it may fall under one of their own waivers. Then try with Delta.

  • Delta now has extended its policy to bookings made before the end of May. Does the policy with award tickets still work? Can I still book with miles now for a flight in December and change for free?
    Also would you mind sharing the source? I can’t seem to find the statement anywhere else. Thanks!

  • It looks like Delta updated their terms today. https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-update-center/cancel-change-requirements

    It’s more generous in terms of date (Aug 31 instead of Jul 31) but I noticed they removed the wording about “award redeposit” and only mention “change fees”. Could this be a sneaky nerf? Also for some reason when you look at “existing travel” they still mention waiving award redeposit fees, but only for bookings pre-April 17.

    If this is true, then this is a pretty big walk-back and contradicts the terms they’ve held previously (as shown in your article).

    • Delta has confirmed that they are still waiving redeposit fees on all award travel booked by Aug. 31 – so no need to worry about a sneaky nerf!

      • Now, the current waiver says that they’re waiving all change and redeposit fees for award travel for domestic and international flights for December 31, 2020. I’m thinking of booking a nonstop flight from MSP to CDG for next May 2021. In theory, by years end l, if I don’t feel comfortable about going overseas, I could reassess if I want to go or not and cancel on December 31 with no cost to me? Is this correct?

        • Hi Suzanne, you can change or cancel any award ticket booked before Dec. 31 at any time. What matters is the purchase date, not the date you choose to cancel it.

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