You may need to cancel or change a Delta Airlines flight due to unexpected delays, emergencies, illness, or just a simple change of your schedule. This comprehensive guide goes over Delta Cancellation Policy, Refund Rules, eCredit Eligibility, 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation, Serious Communicable Disease Refunds, and Reimbursement Options, so that the travelers have complete information.
Delta Airlines allows passengers to cancel a flight for a refund or an eCredit depending on:
Ticket type
Reason for cancellation
Time of cancellation
Applicable fare rules
Schedule changes or delays
Important:
Tickets not cancelled or changed before departure lose all value.
Cancellation fees apply to most non-refundable tickets.
Refundable or “Extra” fares are fully refundable to the original payment method.
Most Delta Main, Basic, Classic, or other non-refundable tickets receive an eCredit, not a refund.
An eCredit for future travel
Minus any applicable cancellation fees
eCredit is valid for 1 year from issue date unless fare rules state otherwise
Visit My Trips on delta.com
Click “Need to Cancel?”
Select “Start Flight Cancellation”
Follow on-screen instructions
Some Delta Main Classic and higher fares have no change or cancellation fees, especially when:
Traveling within the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands
Traveling from the U.S./Canada to international destinations (including partner airlines)
Delta Comfort Basic & Delta Main Basic:
Non-refundable
Cancellation fees deducted before issuing eCredit
Passengers with fully refundable or Extra class tickets can cancel anytime before departure and receive:
Full refund
Back to original payment method
No cancellation fee
Go to My Trips
Select your flight
Click “Need to Cancel?”
Choose “Start Flight Cancellation”
Refund is processed automatically
If you have already cancelled, you can check Refund Status via Delta’s online tracker.
You may be eligible for a refund if:
Your Delta flight is cancelled
There is a significant delay
3+ hours (domestic)
6+ hours (international)
Delta automatically rebooks you but the new itinerary does not work for you
You may:
Accept Delta’s rebooked flight
Search for alternative flights in My Trips
Cancel and request a refund of the unused ticket portion
Receive an eCredit valid for 5 years
If Delta cannot rebook you and you take no action within 24 hours, a refund is processed automatically.
Delta cannot issue refunds for:
Non-refundable tickets without a qualifying disruption
Used or partially flown tickets
Group tickets booked through a travel agency (contact agency directly)
Delta provides additional flexibility if a traveler:
Has a serious communicable disease
May have contracted one
Is unable to travel based on medical advice
Needs to avoid a destination during a public health emergency
eCredit valid for 5 years
Refund to original payment method (Delta’s discretion)
$100 medical processing fee applies
A “Serious Communicable Disease” is one that:
Causes severe health risks (organ damage, respiratory issues, etc.)
Spreads easily through casual contact
Download Medical Professional Attestation Form
Have it completed and signed by your medical provider
Submit the form to Delta
Delta reviews and determines eligibility
If not applying under this policy, you can still cancel voluntarily and receive a standard eCredit (1-year validity).
If Delta delays your flight 3+ hours due to reasons within their control, you can request reimbursement for:
Reasonable meals
Hotel stays (if overnight away from home)
Transportation to/from hotel
Weather delays
Air traffic control delays
Prepaid expenses
Lost wages
Alternative airline tickets
Child/pet care
Lounge access fees
Submit reimbursement through Delta’s Travel Resolution Form.
Delta allows free cancellation within 24 hours of booking for all qualifying eTickets.
Log in and open My Trips
Select your reservation
Click “Need to Cancel?”
Choose “Start Flight Cancellation”
Refunds are issued back to your original payment method.
Must cancel by midnight next day OR before first flight departs
Applies only to tickets booked directly with Delta
Not valid for:
Paper tickets
Travel agency bookings
Partially flown tickets
Tickets purchased with cash (unless purchased at Delta counter after phone booking)
Miles refunded to SkyMiles account
Cash refunded in equivalent value
Cancel or modify your booking before departure
If you don’t show and do nothing: you lose the full ticket value
Remaining flights in itinerary also get cancelled
Refund available if:
Cancelled within 15 days of purchase
No claims filed
Trip has not started
After 15 days, the premium is non-refundable.
You cancel a non-refundable Delta Main ticket-
You receive an eCredit minus cancellation fee, valid for 1 year.
This qualifies as a significant delay-
You can cancel and request a cash refund or a 5-year eCredit.
You are covered by 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation-
Cancel and get 100% full refund, no fees.
Submit the Serious Communicable Disease Attestation-
Receive a 5-year eCredit or potential cash refund.
Delta tries to rebook you-
If an alternative doesn’t work, cancel for a refund.
Generally no—you’ll receive an eCredit minus fees unless your ticket qualifies under schedule change, Delta cancellation, or risk-free policy.
Standard cancellations: 1 year
Serious communicable disease cancellations: 5 years
Yes, except for:
Refundable tickets
Delta Main Classic & above (on eligible routes)
Significant Delta-caused delays
24-hour risk-free cancellations
You may choose:
Alternative flight
Refund of unused portion
5-year eCredit
Yes, but only for an eCredit minus cancellation fees
Use the Travel Resolution Form if Delta caused a delay of 3+ hours.
Yes—no-shows lose ticket value and all remaining flights are cancelled.
Yes, under the Serious Communicable Disease Policy with medical documentation.
Note: If you want to cancel or get a refund on your ticket with Delta Airlines but don’t know how to do that, just reach out to our 24/7 travel experts at +1-866-438-9027(USA), who will give you an instant solution and relieve you of all the cancellation/refund-related stress. Try calling right now.
Delta Airlines provides various choices for the cancellation of the ticket, refund, and eCredits, which facilitate the travelers to change their plans without the feeling of pressure. In case you bought a refundable fare, if you are sick and need to be flexible, or your flight has been rescheduled, Delta offers you very understandable ways to get your money back or receive a credit for your next trip. Getting familiar with these regulations will help you to keep the value of your ticket and will make traveling go easily.