Delta Change Question

[sam_gordon]

OK, experts... here's my question...

Delta has changed my flight for next year (yea, no big surprise I know). But now I'm going to make it work for me.

So I found a number of different flights that will work better than the one they put me on. I look at the conditions of making a change with no charge, and one part gives me pause...

Alternate flights must be available, and you can only modify once as subsequent changes may result in additional fees

Does this mean...
A) I can modify my flight, but even if Delta makes another schedule change, I give up the chance for future changes at no charge
or
B) I can modify my flight, but once I do, I can't modify again (for free) UNLESS Delta changes it

FWIW, no email, I just happened to check.
FWIW Part deaux... even if I'm stuck with their changes, I'll get an extra leg for frequent flyer miles.

 

[sam_gordon]

bump?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

How much of a change did they make? As for future changes, I don't think you'd be restricted as you will be reticketed, but then again, I don't fly Delta unless I must (ie. to ATL out of SYR).

 

[DebbieB]

OK, experts... here's my question...

Delta has changed my flight for next year (yea, no big surprise I know). But now I'm going to make it work for me.

So I found a number of different flights that will work better than the one they put me on. I look at the conditions of making a change with no charge, and one part gives me pause...


Does this mean...
A) I can modify my flight, but even if Delta makes another schedule change, I give up the chance for future changes at no charge
or
B) I can modify my flight, but once I do, I can't modify again (for free) UNLESS Delta changes it

FWIW, no email, I just happened to check.
FWIW Part deaux... even if I'm stuck with their changes, I'll get an extra leg for frequent flyer miles.

If there are flights that meet the times you want, I would go for it. I just got back on Friday, flying Delta on miles. When I booked in February, the latest flight home I could get on Friday with low miles was 12:40pm. They moved it back to 12:10, I called and they said the change had to be 90 minutes. So I let it ride. Then it was pushed back to 11:50. I did a dummy reservation search and found there was now a 6:35pm flight with the same number of miles I used. So I called and said the flight was made earlier again and we would now have to cancel our breakfast plans. Then I said I noticed the 6:35pm with the same number of miles. They changed it with no problem. Luckily it was only changed once to 6:20pm, which was fine.

 

[seashoreCM]

Each time they make a change, you may make one change at no charge.

 

[PrincesCJM]

Each time they make a change, you may make one change at no charge.

Is that true even if they changed your departure time by 10 minutes?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Is that true even if they changed your departure time by 10 minutes?

No. Delta has a window of 90 minutes for a change to be considered significant which is about average for domestic airlines. AirTran had probably the most liberal policy (any change), but that will be moot after the deal is final between AirTran and SWA.

 

[rosiep]

No. Delta has a window of 90 minutes for a change to be considered significant which is about average for domestic airlines. AirTran had probably the most liberal policy (any change), but that will be moot after the deal is final between AirTran and SWA.

I have to disagree. My experience has been that they've offered a free change for some flights when it was only off by a few minutes.

 

[DebbieB]

I have to disagree. My experience has been that they've offered a free change for some flights when it was only off by a few minutes.

It depends on who you get. As I posted above, I had a 30 min time change and I called and they said it had to be 90 minutes. There was another 20 min change (total 50), I got it changed with no problem. When I called the second time, I said the flight was now too early and we would have to cancel our breakfast plans. So be firm.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just to update... I tried to use the website to update (website says if the departure or arrival change is more than an hour, you MAY be able to change at no charge), but it wanted to charge me. So I called and the phone rep was able to change at no charge. So now we get in at 6:30P instead of 10p! Woo hoo!

Cheap tix too... $144/person/RT!

 

[rosiep]

Glad to hear you were able to make the change OP!

Just wondering if being a Sky Miles member had anything to do with my ease of changing flights?

 

[DebbieB]

Glad to hear you were able to make the change OP!

Just wondering if being a Sky Miles member had anything to do with my ease of changing flights?

Are you Medallion level? I was silver last year and I think it was easier getting service then through their dedicated line. This year I don't have status.

If you are a regular skymiles member, I don't think it makes a difference.

 

[sam_gordon]

FWIW, I'm a Skymiles member, but have no 'status' (15K miles in last ~5 years lol)

 

[ahmo]

I was able to change to my desired flight with no charge when Delta's changed flight increased my total flight time.

 

[rosiep]

Are you Medallion level? I was silver last year and I think it was easier getting service then through their dedicated line. This year I don't have status.

If you are a regular skymiles member, I don't think it makes a difference.

I believe I'm still just a regular member. I was able to make the change online.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Just to update... I tried to use the website to update (website says if the departure or arrival change is more than an hour, you MAY be able to change at no charge), but it wanted to charge me. So I called and the phone rep was able to change at no charge. So now we get in at 6:30P instead of 10p! Woo hoo!

Cheap tix too... $144/person/RT!

Had the same exact experience this morning! Website wanted to charge me change fee + difference in airfare so we called and they changed us with no fees.

 

[sam_gordon]

It's possible I didn't go far enough through the process. I selected the new flight and it showed a summary page with a "cost due now" but no place to put CC info in. It's possible the next page (had I clicked 'continue) would have showed the $0 charge. I didn't chance it.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Yeah, I thought the same thing could be possible but I wasn't going to risk it because I was afraid we might lose our orignal flights and then I'd be up the creek!