Delta changed our flight time, can I cancel flight?

[jerseygirl81]

Delta changed our flight time by an hour later, the flight a couple of hours prior to it has no coach seats available. I'm assuming we are just stuck with it from what I've read at their website. I would love to be able to cancel it because we have nearly a 2 hour drive home from the airport and now we are coming in even later than planned, but from what I've read we would lose our money with the non-refundable tickets. Linda

 

[jerseygirl81]

After posting this I read on another thread that Delta has a 1-1/2 hour policy for changes so I guess I will have to just go with the change. I saw a flight time on another airline I would much rather take but no luck. Thanks, Linda

 

[DebbieB]

It doesn't hurt to call and plead your case. I've had them change my flight for free for only an hour change. I said that since our flight was an hour earlier, we would not be able to do our breakfast reservation and I asked for a later flight and it was granted.

 

[seashoreCM]

Delta changed our flight time by an hour later, the flight a couple of hours prior to it has no coach seats available. I'm assuming we are just stuck with it from what I've read at their website. I would love to be able to cancel it because we have nearly a 2 hour drive home from the airport and now we are coming in even later than planned, but from what I've read we would lose our money with the non-refundable tickets. Linda

Are you sure there are no coach seats available, or it just shows no selectable coach seats in the seat map?

The seat map is not an indication of whether the flight is sold out; many seats are blocked off for assignment at the airport and resolving some seating problems at the airport.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm not sure where you read about the 90 minute requirement, but you'll lose nothing by calling and asking to change. Just tell them the new flight doesn't work for you. Be polite but firm. Let them know arriving an hour later isn't an option. There are three outcomes...

1) You get put on the earlier flight (best option)
2) You're allowed to cancel with no penalty (another good option based on your OP)
3) You have to live with the change (no different than what you have now).

 

[jerseygirl81]

Are you sure there are no coach seats available, or it just shows no selectable coach seats in the seat map?

The seat map is not an indication of whether the flight is sold out; many seats are blocked off for assignment at the airport and resolving some seating problems at the airport.

I'm going to give them a call, I guess it does'nt hurt to ask. Thanks, Linda

 

[snesguy]

I'm going to give them a call, I guess it does'nt hurt to ask. Thanks, Linda

Yes, definitely call, and it helps to have a couple of options that work for you ready to ask for. With a 1 hour change they are not going to give you a refund on a non-refundable ticket but they most likely will work with you to get flights that work for you. If the earlier flight works better for you, ask for it. Also they may be willing to switch your flights to a day later or earlier if that is more convient for you. Asking is the key. They have some flexibility and will usually work with you when they have a schedule change.

 

[Lewisc]

Call and ask if you can switch to the earlier flight (without charge).
Decide before you call if you're willing to accept middle seats scattered on the plane. No seats available for assignment doesn't mean coach is sold out.

 

[leebee]

This just happened to DH. Delta changed his flight by 1hour, 2 minutes, meaning he had a 40 min layover in LGA to change flights, and neither of us was convinced that this would be enough time if his flight was late or held on the tarmac. He was able to change his entire return itinerary at no additional charge, so he could take a later, originally more expensive flight, and spend extra time with his family. YAY!

Before calling, I'd check the Delta schedule to see when/what flights are still available, what's acceptable to you, etc., before calling and being at the mercy of a booking agent!