Delta changed my flight - can I cancel and get refund?

[Firepath]

I paid extra to get a really early cross country flight that got me to Orlando by 2:20pm (connecting in Minneapolis). Delta just changed my flight, now going through Salt Lake City and arriving at 4:30pm.
We'll miss our dinner reservation and I'll have to go right to a conference event without any park time.
I found a cheaper SW flight that would get me there at 3:30pm and save $50 each (just 2 of us) plus bags. Does anyone know if Delta will refund my full cost since it was their change? I did just book this one way so it doesn't affect my return.

 

[hbsprite]

Yes, you have the option to get a refund if Delta changes your flight. Call them up and tell them the new flight times don't work for you and you would like a refund. Enjoy your free checked bags on Southwest!

 

[kaytieeldr]

The best answer for that would come from Delta, specifically its Contract of Carriage. My opinion would be they'll decline to provide a full refund because (a) the change isn't significant enough; (b) your airfare guarantees you passage from point A to point B on the given day barring circumstances beyond the airline's control; and (c) while you view it as paying extra for a particular itinerary, it's likely the airline just considers it a less discounted fare.

Now, if you bought a refundable fare, this is all moot. You can get a refund.

 

[Hopefully]

Be careful too. If you do not fly the outbound leg to Florida, your return leg from Florida is automatically cancelled. It sounds like you are thinking of doing that

 

[sharona]

The best answer for that would come from Delta, specifically its Contract of Carriage. My opinion would be they'll decline to provide a full refund because (a) the change isn't significant enough; (b) your airfare guarantees you passage from point A to point B on the given day barring circumstances beyond the airline's control; and (c) while you view it as paying extra for a particular itinerary, it's likely the airline just considers it a less discounted fare.

Now, if you bought a refundable fare, this is all moot. You can get a refund.

A 2 hour and 10 minute difference in arrival time is more than sufficient to get a full refund.

 

[schoen]

I have had great luck with Delta in situations like this.

 

[kaytieeldr]

A 2 hour and 10 minute difference in arrival time is more than sufficient to get a full refund.

That's up to Delta. They'll readily rebook if the OP finds a more desirable itinerary. Whether they'll refund a nonrefundable fare is a question best addressed directly with Delta. According to the CoC, Rule 240(b), if the flight departure is delayed more than 90 minutes or the delay causes a missed connection, the passenger gets a refund if requested. We don't have departure data for the OP.

 

[sharona]

That's up to Delta. They'll readily rebook if the OP finds a more desirable itinerary. Whether they'll refund a nonrefundable fare is a question best addressed directly with Delta. According to the CoC, Rule 240(b), if the flight departure is delayed more than 90 minutes or the delay causes a missed connection, the passenger gets a refund if requested. We don't have departure data for the OP.

I have personally experienced this and was given a refund. This is not a "delay", it's a schedule change.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's an itinerary change. We don't know when the new flight departs, or if there's another better flight option. Once again, the best answer to the question will come directly from Delta.

 

[sam_gordon]

It's an itinerary change. We don't know when the new flight departs, or if there's another better flight option. Once again, the best answer to the question will come directly from Delta.

Here you go...

REFUNDS DUE TO SCHEDULE CHANGE
Refundable Ticket

Refunds of a refundable ticket(s) due to a Delta schedule change can be handled normally and processed by the agency through normal ARC/BSP processing.

Non-Refundable Ticket

Travel agencies can refund a non-refundable ticket(s) when there has been a Delta schedule change if one or more of the following apply:

• There is a cancellation of a scheduled flight and there is no Delta flight with a comparable routing available within 90 minutes of the original time of departure.
• A change in the scheduled departure time of a Delta flight which exceeds 90 minutes.
• A change in the routing of a scheduled Delta flight which adds one or more stops to the original itinerary.
• A change in the routing of a scheduled flight which results in a scheduled arrival time of more than 90 minutes later than the originally scheduled arrival time.

Source

 

[Yellowjj]

As long as the change is over 90 minutes, you are entitled to a full refund to the card used to purchase the itinerary. This also applies when there is a change in operating carriers. For example, a Delta mainline flight changes to a Delta Connection carrier.

 

[sam_gordon]

OP, I will suggest before calling for the refund, look at Delta's schedule and see if there's another flight that day that will work better timing wise. Obviously if there's not, get the refund, but I personally would be willing to spend an extra $100 if the schedule is better.

 

[Firepath]

I called Delta and this was the best flight they could get me, so I was able to cancel for a full refund. I booked the better cheaper flight through SW. Very easy.