Delta Air Lines Gets Rid of International Change Fees

Delta Air Lines has already waived domestic change fees amid the coronavirus pandemic. Now the Atlanta-based airline has introduced a new policy that waives change fees on international flights as well, as it struggle to attract customers back with the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. and around the world. American Airlines also waived change fees on international flights recently.

Delta is also extending a waiver for change fees for all tickets purchased through March 30, 2021.

“No year has better demonstrated the value of flexibility than this one,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Our approach has always been to put people first, which is why we’re extending our current change fee waiver and making lasting changes to our practices, so customers have the trust and confidence they need long after the pandemic ends.”

Delta said its permanent elimination of its $200 change fee for international travel originating in North America is effective immediately, including for flights operated by joint venture and codeshare partners like Air France, KLM, Aeromexico, WestJet, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air and other airlines. Travelers who rebook flights may still need to pay for the difference in fare.

No Change Fees on International Delta Flights

Simplifying the travel experience with no change fees and more flexibility is a permanent pledge Delta is delivering to customers. ​Delta is permanently eliminating this $200 change fees for international travel originating from North America, effective immediately.  Customers can expect the following:

• No change fees on Delta tickets for travel originating from North America to anywhere in the world. This includes flights operated by joint venture and codeshare partners like Air France, KLM, Aeromexico, WestJet, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air and other airlines.
• Basic Economy fares are excluded.

Fee Waiver Extended, Middle Seats Blocked

Delta is waiving change fees for all U.S. domestic and international tickets purchased through March 30, 2021. This makes it easier for customers to book next year’s spring break or summer vacation with the confidence of knowing they can change their plans at any time, regardless of the type of ticket they booked or where they are flying.

Additionally, Delta’s commitment to providing customers peace of mind complements the existing commitment to giving greater reassurance of more space by blocking middle seats and limiting onboard capacity on all flights through March 30. ​Delta is the only major airline to continue blocking middle seats as others have scrapped the practice recently.

More Flexibility from Delta

Delta has been a consistent leader in putting customers and their needs at the center of the travel experience, including offering more flexibility by taking steps like:

• Eliminating the $150 redeposit fee to cancel an award ticket and the $150 reissue fee to change an award ticket  (excluding Basic Economy fares).
• Eliminating the 72-hour requirement to change or cancel an award ticket.
• Allowing customers to use the remaining balance of their ticket toward future Delta travel (similar to the experience of receiving a store credit when exchanging an item for a less expensive one).
• Extending travel credits through December 2022 for travel originally scheduled to depart after March 1, 2020 (if the ticket was purchased before April 17, 2020).