Delta Airlines Flight Change Policy

During the worst of the pandemic, U.S. airlines eliminated practically all change costs in the hopes that customers would feel more confident about booking flights if they could change their flights for free or cancel them for a voucher. But now that travel is almost back to normal, many visitors worry if they'll ever reinstate those annoying $200+ fines.

No cause for concern, according to Delta.

Change fees; never once more. The airline's president, Glen Hauenstein, stated during a presentation to investors on Wednesday that "we have passed that bridge." And just look at how much better off we are without them.

This highlights one of the most significant shifts brought about by the pandemic: travellers prize flexibility and are ready to pay for it.

U.S. airlines eliminated the majority of change fees in 2020 while travel was at its lowest point ever. They dropped the $200 change fees for domestic tickets first, then the $250 to $500 or more change fees for foreign flights. They were presented as long-term adjustments made to assist travellers, considerably above the free emergency alterations that were permitted by airlines during the first year of the pandemic.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated in an August 2020 statement, "We want our customers to book and travel with confidence, knowing that we'll continually evaluate our policies to maintain the high quality of flexibility they demand.

The option to modify dates or even where one is going without incurring additional fees allows travellers to do so. Alternatively, passengers can simply cancel a ticket and receive a voucher or travel credit. It put Southwest, which has never imposed change fees, on par with the other major U.S. airlines.

The main exception is for passengers purchasing tickets at basic economy rates, which are the least expensive but have stringent restrictions. Some airlines don't permit any changes or cancellations to these rates. Others, like as Delta basic economy, require you to sacrifice $99 or $199 in order to change your domestic or international travel plans in exchange for a Delta eCredit.

It makes sense that so few travellers these days choose Delta Basic Economy...

Purchase of Delta Basic Economy? You're Among the Few...

Last year at this time, Delta persuaded customers not to book their cheapest rates by going where no other airline had gone—not even Spirit or Frontier.

Delta's basic economy prices will stop earning SkyMiles in December 2021. The cheapest flights offered by Delta will no longer count toward earning Delta Medallion Status. It was a blatant ruse to get passengers to pay $70 or more roundtrip for a basic economy flight instead, earning SkyMiles, getting to choose their seat for free, and maintaining their right to cancel for a full refund.

It appears now that it was successful. Only 5% of Delta tickets purchased today are their basic economy pricing, Hauenstein informed investors on Wednesday. This is significantly less than the 15% pre-pandemic.

Call at +1-800-419-8165 for Delta Airlines Flight Change Policy

The fact that airlines don't truly want you to purchase their cheapest basic economy fares is one of the worst-kept secrets in the travel industry. They exist to compete with airlines like Allegiant Air and Spirit, luring you in with a lower ticket before trying to upsell you to a full fare.

And only Delta has progressed further. Basic economy rates are not counted toward elite status on certain other major airlines, although they are still eligible to earn redeemable miles.

In order to compete with low-cost airlines, Delta was the first major U.S. airline to offer basic economy flights, which were constrained fares without free seat selection and other perks. They are now present on practically all Delta routes, including its extremely long-haul flights from the United States to Australia and South Africa. Additionally, a large portion of Delta's network is now covered by its continued exclusivity in offering basic economy award tickets when using SkyMiles.

On the good side, you can still bring a carry-on bag with you when you fly basic economy on a Delta flight, unlike when you fly basic economy on a United or JetBlue flight. The experience is identical to that of any other economy class after you board the aircraft.

But Delta has been very clear that it wants fewer and fewer passengers purchasing basic economy over the years. Hauenstein himself questioned "how much are individuals prepared to pay" to escape fundamental economics a few years ago.

The goals of Delta are crystal clear: They are to become the premier airline in America. And it entails placing a focus on expensive seats to draw paying customers.

The premise that Delta's CEO Ed Bastian reiterated on Wednesday has been in numerous investor presentations over the past four years: "Premium has led the rebound."

By far, the airline's premium cabin alternatives, such as Delta One and Delta Premium Select (Delta's brand for premium economy), are the most profitable. According to Bastian, "premium is really sticky," meaning that passengers who have previously flown in those seats prefer to remain in the front of the aircraft. Executives from Delta also discussed in detail how well-liked the Premium Select alone option was, which Bastian claimed was "flying off the shelf."