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Delta SkyMiles get more valuable after airline kills change fees on award flights

  • Joseph Hostetler

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    Just a few weeks ago, several airlines made a blockbuster announcement that they were eliminating change fees on most of their flights.

    The most welcome angle of this change (in the miles and points community) is the ousting of fees related to award flights. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines will let you book award flights and cancel them as many times as you want with no consequences. Delta, however, was the glaring exception — until now.

    Delta eliminates change fees on award tickets

    Starting September 22, 2020, Delta is waiving fees for changing award flights. If you book a flight with Delta miles and then decide the day before your flight that you want to cancel, your miles will be redeposited for free, no questions asked. There are two big restrictions, however: This policy only applies to domestic travel, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and you won’t be able to redeposit miles from basic economy award flights.

    This makes the rewards you earn with the best Delta credit cards significantly more valuable. Previously, you’d have to pay hundreds of dollars to redeposit miles unless you had Delta elite status.

    Note: Delta’s coronavirus-spurred policy of free changes to all domestic and international award travel still applies through December 31, 2020.

    Delta extends credit card perks and more

    Due to the pandemic, Delta is further extending a few aspects of its program to help you get your moneys’ worth.

    Amex Delta credit card certificates

    Delta SkyClub membership

    Delta SkyMiles Select

    Delta SkyMiles Select members will get a one-year extension of benefits, such as Priority Boarding and unused drink vouchers. Delta says that this extension will reflect in your account by September 30, 2020.

    Bottom line

    It’s great to see Delta get rid of change fees on award flights, although it would’ve been better if they included the lowest cost, basic economy fares. Hopefully, the pandemic continues to force airlines to innovate and create more customer-friendly policies.

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    Featured photo by Markus Mainka/Shutterstock

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)