How to Avoid Delta Flight Change Fee​?

Bags packed, reservation done, but an unexpected shift in your travel plan can force you to change your flight. If your flight is booked with Delta Airlines, you have the leverage to change your flight as per your revised trip schedule, but you may also need to pay a change fee or fare difference. However, you can avoid paying extra for changing a Delta flight by following the right strategy. Here we will tell you how you can easily escape the Delta flight change charges and change a Delta flight without paying extra dollars.

When Does Delta Charge For Flight Change?

However, Delta Airlines generally does not charge a fee for changing a flight, but there are certain cases where you may end up paying extra charges. Take a look at when Delta can charge you extra for a flight change:

• Despite your fare giving flexibility to change flight, you still need to pay the fare difference if your new Delta flight is more expensive than the original flight. For instance, if your new flight’s ticket costs $300 and your original flight was booked for $250, you will need to cover the fare difference of $50, whether you are traveling on a Main Cabin, Comfort+, First Class, Delta Premium Select, or Delta One fare.
• Generally, you can not change a Delta flight while traveling on a Basic Economy fare, but if there is any disruption or an exceptional case, Delta can charge you a full fare difference or rebook your new flight at a new fare, which usually costs more.
• On some international routes where flights start outside the US, Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and Canada, Delta does not offer free flight change service. So if you are flying from South America, Africa, Europe, or Asia, you may need to pay a flight change fee.
• Delta can also charge you a fee of $75 for changing a flight on the same day, as some fares and low-tier Medallion members do not get free same-day flight changes.
• Even when you are eligible for a free flight change, you still can incur additional charges of $25-$50 as a service fee if you request a Delta flight change by phone or at the airport counter.

When Does Delta Not Charge For Flight Change?

If you need to know what conditions and cases are where you can avoid Delta Airlines flight change charges, you must keep these points in mind:

• Delta Airlines has waived the flight change fee for fares above Basic Economy, like Main Cabin, Comfort+, First Class, Delta One, and Delta Premium Select for flights originating in the US, the Caribbean, or Canada. If you travel from the US, Canada, or the Caribbean, on any fare equivalent to Main Cabin or above, you can change your flight without a fee, but the fare difference still applies if the new flight is more expensive.
• During the risk-free period of the first 24 hours of the booking, Delta does not charge anything for changing or canceling the flight, regardless of your fare type.
• When Delta changes your flight significantly, you don’t incur a fee for switching to a more convenient flight, and sometimes the fare difference also doesn’t apply.
• If Delta Airlines has issued travel waivers due to special circumstances like bad weather, the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters, or schedule disruptions, you can change your flight with no extra fee at that time only.
• If you are a Delta frequent flyer or SkyMiles Medallion member with a higher status like Gold, Platinum, or Diamond, you may be able to change your flight for free.
• Sometimes when you purchase an award Delta flight using SkyMiles, Delta may allow you to change your flight without any extra fee.

Tips to Avoid Delta Flight Change Fees

Never let fare difference and extra charges surprise you if you are thinking of changing your Delta flight. By following these tips, you not only avoid paying Delta’s flight change fee but also bypass the fare difference.

• Book your flight directly with Delta Airlines because airlines always have strict restrictions for flights booked with third parties.
• While booking your Delta flight, consider purchasing refundable and flexible fares like Main Cabin and above fares, including Delta One, Premium Select, First Class, and Comfort+.
• If you have a non-refundable fare or Basic Economy, use the 24-hour risk-free window to change your flight because Delta does not charge a fee during this period.
• You must check the difference in fares of the new and original flights before confirming a change.
• Check destination-based flight change waivers because Delta Airlines offers free flight changes for flights starting from the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean.
• Be a Medallion member, as you may get the perk of free flight change if you achieve Diamond, Platinum, or Gold status.
• If you have a credit card, check if it can reimburse the Delta flight change fee or fare difference for specific reasons, such as a medical or weather emergency.

Aware Tip: Never ignore the fare rules before purchasing the ticket, because who knows, a few extra minutes spent checking the fare rules might just prevent you from paying extra in the future.

How To Change Your Delta Flight?

Changing the Delta flight is easy, but choosing the right way that helps you avoid additional charges is vital. As you may incur an additional service fee of $25 to $50 for changing a flight by calling the airline’s customer support or visiting the airport, we suggest doing it online or through a travel agency.

Online

• Visit the official website of Delta Airlines.
• Go to the My Trips section on the website.
• Log in to your account with your reservation number and last name.
• Now select the flight you want to move from.
• Click on the Start Flight Change option to edit your booking.
• Pick your new preferred flight with date, time, and route.
• If your Delta fare and route are eligible for a free flight change, you won’t incur any extra fee except the fare difference if your new flight is more expensive.
• Confirm your Delta flight change by receiving a new e-ticket via email.

Travel Agency

Travel agencies provide assistance on reservations with their experts available on call. Using this method for changing your Delta flight involves a hassle-free and time-saving experience with the assistance of industry experts, as you simply need to contact your trusted agency on call and ask them to make the change for you. For Delta’s flight change, you can also call AwareTravels at +1 (800) 419-9920.

Final Thoughts

Paying extra charges for a Delta flight change not only annoys, but it can also drain your bank account. Thus, knowing the situations and conditions under which Delta Airlines charges a flight change fee and fare difference can help you save money and time. From purchasing a flexible fare to using the 24-hour risk-free window to change your flight, there are some ways to avoid extra charges. If you want to enjoy a seamless transition from your original Delta flight to a new one, follow our tips and contact us at +1 (800) 419-9920.

FAQ’s