Whether it’s a sudden change in schedule, an unexpected event, or a personal emergency, we may find ourselves needing to cancel or modify our flights. That’s where Delta Airlines cancellation policy comes into the picture, which helps you guide all the aspects of cancellation and determine what policies apply to your situation.

Delta Airlines Cancellation Policy - Airlinespolicy

What are the Delta Airlines flight Cancellation Rules?

Delta cancellation policy

Below is the overview of Delta flight cancellations according to the fares offered by the airlines – 

Flight cancelationBasic EconomyNon-refundable
(Excluding Basic Economy)
Non-refundableRefundable/Flex Tickets
Delta Free Cancellation within 24 hoursNo ChargeNo ChargeNo ChargeNo Charge
Delta Flight Cancellations after 24 hoursThe fee varies between 0 to 500 USDFreeFee varies between 0 to 500 USDRefundable
Refund PermittedNot applicableNot PermittedFee varies between 0 to 500 USDApplicable
Delta Airlines Flight CreditNot applicableNot applicableApplicableRefund in cash
Delta Credit for Delayed Flight If delayed for 3 or more hours, flight credit would be provided.If delayed for 3 or more hours, flight credit would be provided.If delayed for 3 or more hours, flight credit would be provided.If delayed for 3 or more hours, flight credit would be provided.
Delta Award Ticket CancellationNot PermittedFreeFreeFree

What is Delta 24 hour cancellation policy?

Delta 24 hour cancellation policy allows passengers to cancel the reservation within 24 hours from the date of purchase provided – 

  • The date of scheduled departure must fall 7 or more days at the time of Delta trip cancellation
  • Delta 24-hour cancellation would be applicable on all fare types, regardless of the class of service booked
  • Delta 24 hour cancellation policy would not be applicable to the tickets from the SkyMiles reward account.
  • Delta ticket cancellation within 24 hours would not be applicable on a booking that includes more than 9 passengers.
  • Delta cancels within 24 hours policy would be applicable for all flights originating to and from the US, and Canada
  • Delta cancels flight 24-hour policy would not be applicable to the flights that rescheduled or have already redeemed the travel credit. 
  • Delta Airlines 24-hour cancellation policy is exempted for the tickets purchased using e-certificates. 
  • Delta refund requests under 24-hour cancellation would be processed back to the original form of payment within 7-10 working days. 

What is Delta Flight cancellations for award tickets?

Delta Airlines allows passengers to cancel Delta SkyMiles award tickets for domestic travel within the U.S. without incurring any fees, regardless of the departure date.

For award tickets originating outside the U.S., it is required to cancel them at least 72 hours prior to the departure. A flat fee of 150 USD would be charged to void the tickets.

Travel RouteCancellation Fee
Domestic Flights (within US)Free
International Flights150 USD

Please Note – According to the Delta Airlines cancellation policy, if you hold a SkyMiles Platinum or Diamond Medallion membership, this fee is waived.

Upon canceling your ticket and paying the applicable cancellation fee, all the miles used for the booking will be refunded and deposited into your Delta SkyMiles account.

What is Delta no show policy?

As per Delta Airlines cancellation policy, the airline requires passengers to notify prior to the scheduled departure if they have a sudden change in the travel plans, in order to retain the value of the fare. 

Delta no show policy applies to the following itineraries – 

  • All Delta non-refundable fares.
  • The most restrictive fare rule will apply for flight booking with Delta Refundable Ticket/Non-Refundable fare combinations.
  • Only applicable on the itineraries operated and marketed by Delta Airlines.
  • Applicable on wholly unused or partially flown Delta Airlines flight segments.

How much is the Delta cancellation fee?

Delta flight cancellation fee would be assessed per passenger per booking and is only applicable on the flights operated by Delta Airlines. 

Passengers are allowed to request flight cancellation if the reservation is booked through delta.com, through Delta customer service number, or through the Delta ticket cancellation counter at the airport.

Here’s the overview of the Delta Airlines cancellation fee if you cancelled Delta flight – 

Time PeriodBasic EconomyNon-Refundable FaresRefundable/Flex Fares
24-hour risk-free cancelationNo ChargeNo ChargeNo Charge
After 24 Hours risk-free periodNot Permitted0 USD – 500 USDNo Charge
Within 24 hours of flight departureNot Permitted0 USD – 500 USD0 USD – 500 USD

Please Note: The above-mentioned Delta Airlines cancellation fee would be applicable on the refundable or non-restricted fares only, regardless of the class of service booked. 

How to cancel a flight on Delta Airlines?

Passengers have the option to cancel their Delta flights via three following methods according to Delta Airlines cancellation policy – 

How to cancel Delta flight online?

Follow these steps to request Delta flight cancellation online – 

  • Visit delta.com and navigate to the ‘My Trip’ section.
  • Enter the “Confirmation Number” with the first name & last name of the passenger to retrieve the booking
  • Once you have located your flight booking on the ‘My Trip’ page, click the ‘Cancel Flight’ button. Choose the flight that you would like to cancel, and you would be taken through the Delta flight cancellations process
  • As per Delta Airlines cancellation policy, passengers are liable to pay a fee to request cancellation on their existing booking. 
  • You would be issued a Delta ticket cancellation refund either as a Delta Airlines flight credit or to the original form of payment depending on the ticket type and the circumstances of flight cancellation. 
  • Passengers may receive a Delta flight ticket refund in the original form of payment in 7-10 business days. 

How to cancel Delta flight over the phone?

If you’re holding a restricted fare that does not allow the flight cancellation online or struggle to navigate through the Delta Airlines cancellation process online, feel free to reach our Delta flight executive.

  • Keep your Delta flight confirmation number handy while you get connected to the reservation executive at the Delta Airlines helpdesk
  • Provide a choice to the Delta representative on the flight itinerary/segment that you need to cancel. 
  • As per Delta cancellation policy, passengers can claim a refund or travel credit on the unused portion of their ticket.
  • You would be issued a Delta ticket cancellation refund either as a Delta Airlines flight credit or to the original form of payment.
  • In case of a restricted fare, you would be issued a travel credit. Delta Airlines flight tickets are valid for one year from the date of issuance. 

Cancel a Delta flight at the airport

Passengers can also cancel their existing Delta booking up to 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure. All you need to do is – 

  • Head to the departure airport and approach the Delta ticket booking counter
  • Provide your flight confirmation number/PNR to the available Delta flight representative
  • Provide a choice to the Delta representative on the flight itinerary/segment that you need to cancel. 
  • Passengers would be asked to pay an upfront Delta cancellation fee to complete the request. 
  • In case of non-restricted or refundable fare, the said refund value would be credited back to the original method of payment in 7-10 business days. 

What is Delta policy on canceled or delayed flights?

If Delta cancels or delays the flight, you can request a refund on the affected flights provided – 

  • The delay must be 5 hours or more.
  • The flight was overbooked and the passenger was denied boarding.
  • Your flight is canceled

Cancellation of Delta Flights

If your flight is canceled, you have the option –

  • To rebook the flight to the same destination under the same class of service as booked on the existing reservation.
  • Rebook the flights to a later date, subject to the availability of seats.
  • Refund on the unused portion of the ticket

Passengers are also entitled to the following care –

  • Free meals and refreshments
  • Hotel accommodation if the alternate flight is scheduled for the next day
  • Free airport transfer

In addition, passengers are entitled to compensation if they are informed of the cancellation less than 2 weeks before the scheduled departure. Passengers are not entitled to compensation if – 

Time Before DepartureRe-Routing OfferedDeparture TimeArrival Time
2 weeks or moreYes
between 2 weeks and 7 daysYes≤ 2 hours before scheduled time≤ 4 hours after scheduled time
less than 7 daysYes≤ 1 hour before scheduled time≤ 2 hours after scheduled time

Compensation for flight cancelation

The compensation amount is as follows – 

Length of FlightTravel Credit VoucherCash
Flights of 1500 km or less€350€250
Flights within the EU of more than 1500 km€500€400
All other flights between 1500 and 3500 km€500€400
Flights not falling under A or B€800€600

Delta Airlines flight delays

If Delta Airlines delays a flight by –

  • For 2 hours if the flight distance is less than 1500 km
  • For 3 hours if the flight distance is between 1500 km and 3500 km
  • For 4 hours if the flight does not fall in the above two category

If all the above conditions you met, you’re entitled to –

  • meals and refreshments in relation to your waiting time
  • Free accommodation
  • Free internet access, 2 free international calls

Plus, you have the option to –

  • To rebook the flight to the same destination under the same class of service as booked on the existing reservation.
  • Rebook the flights to a later date, subject to the availability of seats.
  • Refund on the unused portion of the ticket

Passengers are also entitled to compensation

Length of FlightFlight DelayTravel Credit VoucherCash
Flights of 1500 km or lessFor 2 hours€350€250
Flights within the EU of more than 1500 kmFor 3 hours€500€400
All other flights between 1500 and 3500 kmFor 3 hours€500€400
Flights not falling under A or BFor 4 hours€800€600

Denied boarding

If passengers are denied boarding on a confirmed flight ticket, you’re entitled to – 

  • Same rebooking and refund options
  • Same entitlements under the Right To Care as above.

Passengers are also entitled to compensation for denied boarding – 

Length of FlightTravel Credit VoucherCash
Flights of 1500 km or less€350€250
Flights within the EU of more than 1500 km€500€400
All other flights between 1500 and 3500 km€500€400
Flights not falling under A or B€800€600

What is Delta Airlines Refund Policy?

Here’s the complete overview of the Delta Airlines ticket cancellation refund policy – 

  • Delta Flight 24 Hours Cancellation – Delta offers a risk-free cancellation policy within 24 hours of purchasing a ticket through Delta. If the scheduled departure is at least one week away, passengers may qualify for a waiver of cancellation fees and receive a full refund.
  • Delta Free Cancellation –Basic Economy fares are not eligible for flight changes but can be canceled for free within 24 hours of purchase.
  • Region-Specific Delta Refund Policy – Different cancellation and refund policies apply based on the passenger’s billing address. Specific policies exist for certain regions, including the Middle East, Colombia, Argentina, South Korea, and Taiwan.
  • Full Refund for Delta-Canceled Flights – If a flight disruption is within Delta’s control, passengers are eligible for a full refund of the booking value without paying any cancellation fees.
  • Delta Airlines Refund Credit – Delta flight tickets are valid for one year from the date of issuance. Passengers must complete their travel within 12 months of the validity period.
  • Refund Request for Eligible Fares – Passengers can request refunds for fares that allow refunds, but Delta flight cancellation fees may apply depending on the fare rules. Most fares are non-refundable and not eligible for voluntary refunds.
  • Delta Airlines Refund Processing Time – As per Delta Airlines cancellation policy, refunds for Delta flight reservations made with a credit card are processed within 7 business days. Refunds for bookings made with other payment methods are processed within 20 business days. Refunds are credited back to the original form of payment.

How do I request a refund on a Delta flight?

As per Delta Airlines cancellation policy, passengers who have booked Flex/Refundable fares or request a cancelation within 24 hours of purchase, can follow these steps –

  • Visit Delta’s official website and navigate to the My Trip section.
  • Choose the flight segment that you need to cancel. Click on the Cancel button to proceed.
  • Follow the on-screen prompts and submit Delta refund requests.

Delta Airlines cancellation policy aims to provide flexibility and convenience to its passengers. Understanding the specific terms and conditions of the policy is crucial for travelers to make informed decisions regarding their flights.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Can you cancel a Delta flight booked with points?

Yes, you can cancel a Delta flight that was booked using points. Delta’s cancellation and refund policies apply regardless of the form of payment used for the booking.

Can I cancel a Delta flight within 24 hours?

Yes. Delta 24 hour cancellation policy allows you to cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking and receive a refund under certain conditions.

Is there a 24 hour refund for basic Delta tickets?

Basic Economy fares are not eligible for flight changes but can be canceled for free within 24 hours of purchase.

What is Delta 24 hour cancellation policy?

If you purchased your ticket directly from Delta and cancel within 24 hours of booking, as long as your scheduled departure is at least one week away, you may qualify for a waiver of cancellation fees and receive a full refund on the fare value.

Does Delta have a 24-hour cancellation policy?

Yes, Delta Airlines passengers can claim a full refund and cancel their flights for free if canceled within 24 hours of the booking. The Delta Airlines cancellation within 24 hours would be applicable on refundable as well as non-refundable fares.

Can you cancel the Delta flight within 24 hours?

Yes, Delta cancel flight 24 hours policy allows passengers to cancel the reservation within 24 hours from the date of purchase provided that the date of scheduled departure must fall 7 or more days at the time of Delta trip cancellation.

How to cancel a Delta flight within 24 hours?

As per Delta Airlines cancellation policy, passengers can cancel the Delta flight online as well as over the phone by calling Delta Airlines Customer Service phone number.

How to cancel a Delta flight online?

All you need to do is go to delta.com and navigate to the ‘My Trip’ section. Enter the booking credentials, and select the flight itinerary that needs to be canceled. As per Delta flight cancellation policy, only refundable fares are allowed for voluntary cancellations in order to claim a refund.

Can I cancel my Delta flight and get a refund?

Yes, different cancellation and refund policies would be applicable based on the geography or region of your billing address. Delta Airlines cancellation policy varies for the Middle East, Columbia, Argentina, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Can I cancel one passenger in the flight ticket Delta Airlines?

Yes, you can cancel one or more passengers from a single booking confirmation. Passengers need to call Delta flight cancellations number and customize their booking with Delta flight executive in order to complete the request.

Can you cancel the Delta award ticket within 24 hours?

Yes, Passengers can cancel the Delta SkyMiles award ticket within 24 hours and the refund would be offered in the form of SkyMiles and is credited back to the reward accounts.

How to get a full refund from Delta Airlines?

As per Delta Airlines cancellation policy, passengers would be eligible for a full refund if flight disruption circumstances are totally under the control of Delta Airlines. Passengers would be offered a full refund on the booking value and are exempted from paying any cancellation fees.

How to reschedule a canceled Delta flight?

As per Delta cancellation policy, If the Delta flights are delayed for 2 or more hours, passengers are entitled to free-of-charge meals and refreshments, in relation to the passenger’s waiting time. In case the affected flight kept you waiting for 6 or more hours, Delta Airlines may reschedule the flight on an earlier basis. In such cases, passengers may opt for a full refund.

How do you know if your Delta ticket is refundable?

Delta Airlines refund claim may be requested for any fare that allows refunds. Depending on the fare rules associated with your flight booking, the Delta flight cancellation fee may be applicable. Most fares offered by Delta Airlines are non-refundable and are not eligible for any voluntary refund.

8 thoughts on “Delta Airlines Cancellation Policy
  1. Denise Hanson on Reply

    I had recently made bookings with Delta Airlines on behalf of my father. However, he got stuck in some official work and was not able to make it. I looked for help to cancel a flight ticket and came across Delta Airlines 24 Hours Cancellation Policy. I contacted the representatives and was immediately assisted by them. I had to pay cancellation charges since my flight ticket was not canceled within 24 hours.

  2. Sean Peterson on Reply

    First, not every airline understands your concern of cancelling a flight. I had my reservation with Delta on April 18, 2022 for heading out to United States. But, the fate had other plans for me. I got infected with a flu two days before my flight. So, I needed to rebook my another flight on Delta and cancel a previous one. On reading the Delta Airlines cancellation policy, I looked out for fees charged on its rebooking. When I actually rebooked my flight with this carrier, it just got charged with USD 200 which was far less than a few airlines I cancelled my flights before. Thanks Delta for saving out our money.

  3. Mildred Ford on Reply

    Whenever I have to go to and from Georgia, I prefer Delta. The carrier has nice aircraft with great seating. Not to forget, its policies are equally comfortable. There have been times when I was unable to carry on with my planned trips. Within 24 hours, I have been able to easily cancel my tickets. Aside from the Delta cancel within 24 hours features, I feel that there should have been a few more policies for cancellations. Although the carrier is greatly assisting its customers, the time period for free cancellations could have been extended a bit more.

  4. Russell Kennedy on Reply

    Traveling in groups and cancelling your tickets can be somewhat difficult when you don’t have refundable fares. Usually, I find delta to be an affordable carrier. But this is when I am booking confirmed tickets for my family. It happened once that we wanted to cancel our trips because the COVID restrictions were being quite problematic. Not having delta refundable fares, we had to pay cancellation fees. For group cancellations, I don’t think any benefits are especially available that can save money when the risk-free period has been crossed. It can be cost-saving to invest in refundable fares then. But the airline should still consider adding some benefits for group bookings and cancellations.

  5. Albert Walker on Reply

    I booked my basic economy tickets with Delta Airlines. This was done a week ago. I am not finding it suitable enough to travel now when flights are getting changed due to weather. Delta is charging me a cancellation fee. Is there any way I can get my tickets cancelled without any fee? Or by paying a lesser fee? The amount is almost $99 which I don’t think is reasonable in any way. The fee is getting applied when I am cancelling online. Could anybody suggest if it would be cheaper offline?

  6. Roger Hopkins on Reply

    I traveled one side trip in economy class and didn’t expect much but the flight attendants were super hospitable and caring. My first flight was from Oklahoma City to Denver then from Colorado to Portland. The flight from Colorado to Portland was the best. There was one flight attendant in particular who was super responsible. He was doing his job beyond what was expected and I know these things might seem small but it really does make a difference. I want to cancel my return plan because of some unfortunate condition, Please Help!!

  7. Jacob Simpson on Reply

    Due to the coronavirus, my husband and I had to postpone our trip that was scheduled for May. We need a refund on our flight tickets in order to pay our bills because our income has significantly decreased. During this pandemic, customer service was unhelpful and refused to cooperate with us. Is it ok that they simply gave us a voucher that would ultimately expire? All we want is our ticket refund. For a major airline, this is a tiny change, yet it will determine whether or not our lights stay on. In these extraordinary circumstances, it could make all the difference who will travel if a major company like Delta Airline demonstrates some empathy for individuals in need.

  8. Jacqueline Alvarado on Reply

    Due to the death of a family member, flights that were booked using points had to be canceled. Where should I mail the death certificate, and what other documents are required to get my points back?

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