Travel plans do not always stay the same. A meeting may move, a vacation may be postponed, or you may simply need to take a different flight. If you have a ticket with Delta Air Lines, you may be able to change your travel date, departure time, or itinerary without canceling the entire booking.
However, the cost and availability of a flight change depend on several factors, including your ticket type, where your journey originates, your destination, when you request the change, and whether you are asking for a normal date change or a same-day flight change.
Delta has eliminated change fees for many Classic and Extra tickets originating in the United States and Canada, but this does not mean every Delta ticket can be changed for free. Basic fares and tickets originating outside the U.S. and Canada can have different rules and fees. You may also have to pay a fare difference if your replacement flight is more expensive.
This guide explains the Delta Airlines flight change policy, date change policy, rescheduling process, fees, same-day changes, Basic fares, and important rules in straightforward terms.
What Is Delta Airlines' Flight Change Policy?
Delta allows eligible passengers to modify their itinerary before departure. Depending on the fare and itinerary, you may be able to change:
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Travel date
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Departure time
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Flight
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Routing or destination, where permitted
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Certain itinerary details
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Same-day flight, if you meet Delta's same-day change requirements
The easiest way to check whether your particular reservation can be changed is through My Trips on Delta's website or the Fly Delta app.
Delta states that tickets should be changed or canceled before departure. A ticket that is neither changed nor canceled before departure can lose its remaining value under Delta's no-show rules.
Does Delta Charge a Fee to Change a Flight?
There is no single change fee that applies to every Delta passenger.
- For tickets originating in the United States or Canada, Delta currently provides no change fee for many Classic, Extra, and refundable tickets, although a fare difference can still apply. Basic tickets have separate restrictions and fees.
- For tickets originating outside the United States and Canada, change fees can apply according to the origin, destination, fare type, and ticket rules.
For example, Delta's published fee information currently shows that travel originating in India and certain other countries in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia can have different fees from tickets originating in the U.S. or Canada. Delta's fee table should therefore be checked for the specific ticket rather than relying on a general "Delta has no change fees" statement.
Fare Difference Is Separate From a Change Fee:
Even when Delta does not charge a change fee, you may still have to pay a fare difference.
For example:
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Original flight: $300
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New flight: $380
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Change fee: $0
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Additional amount: $80
In this situation, the passenger pays the $80 difference.
If the new flight costs less, Delta may issue an eCredit for eligible remaining value after applicable fees. The exact treatment depends on the ticket's rules.
Delta Flight Change Policy by Ticket Type
Your Delta travel experience is one of the most important factors when determining how a change works.
Delta Main Basic
- Delta Main Basic, formerly commonly referred to as Basic Economy, has the most restrictions.
- Under Delta's current rules, some Basic tickets can be changed for a fee depending on the origin and destination. Basic tickets also are not eligible for Delta's same-day confirmed or same-day standby programs.
- For example, Delta currently lists different Basic change/cancel fees based on the origin and destination. For certain journeys originating in the U.S. or Canada, the published fee can be $99 or $199 depending on the destination.
- Older tickets may be subject to the rules that were in effect when they were purchased, so travelers with an older reservation should check the fare conditions attached to their ticket.
Delta Main Classic
- Classic tickets generally offer substantially more flexibility than Basic.
- For eligible tickets originating in the U.S. and Canada, Delta currently does not charge a change fee for Classic tickets. You may still need to pay the difference between the original and replacement flight.
- For international journeys originating elsewhere, Classic fares can have applicable change fees.
Delta Extra and Refundable Tickets
- Extra and refundable fares provide greater flexibility.
- For eligible Extra or refundable tickets, Delta generally allows changes without a change fee, although a fare difference can still apply when the replacement flight costs more. Refundable tickets may also qualify for a refund rather than an eCredit when canceled according to the applicable rules.
How to Change a Delta Flight Online
For most eligible reservations, changing a Delta flight online is the simplest option.
Step 1: Open Delta's Website or Fly Delta App
- Go to Delta's website and access My Trips, or open the Fly Delta app.
Step 2: Retrieve Your Reservation
Enter the requested booking information, such as:
Once the reservation is located, select the trip you want to modify.
Step 3: Select the Flight Change Option
- Look for the option to change or modify your flight.
- Delta will display the available alternatives based on your reservation and eligibility.
Step 4: Select a New Flight
Choose the preferred:
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Travel date
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Departure time
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Flight
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Available itinerary
Review the new fare carefully before continuing.
Step 5: Check the Price Difference
The system should show the financial impact of the change.
Depending on your ticket, you may see:
Do not confirm the change until you have reviewed the displayed amount.
Step 6: Confirm the New Itinerary
- Complete the payment if required and confirm the change.
- Delta will provide a new confirmation after the ticket has been reissued. Delta specifically recommends using My Trips or the Fly Delta app for managing eligible flight changes.
How to Change the Date of a Delta Flight
A date change is essentially a flight change in which you select a different travel date.
To change your Delta flight date:
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Open My Trips.
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Select the applicable reservation.
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Choose the flight-change option.
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Select the new travel date.
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Choose an available flight.
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Review any change fee and fare difference.
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Pay the amount shown, if required.
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Confirm the new itinerary.
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Check your email for the updated confirmation.
The new flight does not necessarily have to cost the same as the original flight. If demand is higher on your new date, the fare may be significantly more expensive.
How to Reschedule a Delta Flight
- "Rescheduling" normally means moving your existing trip to another available date or time.
- The process is similar to a standard flight change:
- My Trips → Select Trip → Change Flight → Choose New Flight → Review Price → Confirm
- Before rescheduling, compare several dates if your schedule allows it. A flight one day earlier or later may have a substantially different fare.
For example, if Friday's flight is expensive, checking Thursday and Saturday can sometimes produce lower-priced alternatives. The price displayed during the actual change process is the relevant amount for your reservation.
Can You Change a Delta Flight on the Same Day?
Yes, eligible passengers may be able to make a same-day change.
Delta offers two primary options:
Same-Day Confirmed
- Same-Day Confirmed allows an eligible traveler to switch to another flight on the same day, subject to Delta's availability and fare rules.
- Delta currently states that Classic tickets can qualify for Same-Day Confirmed starting from $75 when available, while Extra and refundable experiences may qualify for the service without a charge. Certain Medallion members also receive complimentary Same-Day Confirmed benefits on eligible tickets.
- Basic experiences are excluded.
Same-Day Standby
- Same-Day Standby may allow an eligible passenger to request an earlier flight and wait for an available seat.
- The important difference is that standby does not guarantee a seat. Delta says that you do not lose your seat on the original flight until the standby request clears. Basic experiences are not eligible for Same-Day Standby.
Delta 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation and Changes
- Delta's 24-hour risk-free cancellation rule can be especially useful if you realize shortly after booking that you selected the wrong date or flight.
- For qualifying eTickets purchased directly from Delta for travel originating in the United States, Delta states that customers have one day from purchase to cancel or change the ticket for any reason and receive a full refund, subject to the terms of the policy.
- This is different from a normal flight change made after the 24-hour period.
- The policy has eligibility and booking requirements, so travelers should check the reservation's terms rather than assuming every ticket qualifies.
What Happens If the New Delta Flight Is More Expensive?
If the replacement flight costs more, you generally have to pay the difference.
Suppose you originally paid $450 and the new flight costs $575. If no change fee applies, the additional amount would generally be $125.
The difference can become larger when:
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You move to a peak travel date.
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You change to a more convenient departure time.
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You select a higher cabin or product.
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The original fare class is no longer available.
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The new itinerary has higher demand.
Always review the final price before confirming the change.
What If the New Delta Flight Is Cheaper?
- A lower-priced replacement flight does not necessarily mean Delta will simply refund the difference to your credit card.
- Depending on the ticket type and applicable rules, eligible remaining value may be issued as an eCredit, after any applicable fees.
- The exact treatment is determined during the change transaction.
Can You Change a Delta Flight After Check-In?
- You should not assume that checking in permanently prevents a flight change.
- However, the available options can become more limited as departure approaches. Same-day rules may apply, and the replacement flight must meet Delta's eligibility and availability requirements.
- If your plans change after check-in, open the reservation in My Trips and review the available options as soon as possible.
Can You Change a Delta Flight After Departure?
- Generally, you should make the required change before the scheduled departure.
- Delta states that tickets not changed or canceled before departure can have no remaining value under its applicable no-show rules.
- This is why simply failing to board and attempting to fix the reservation later can be risky.
- If you know you cannot travel, change or cancel the reservation before departure whenever possible.
What If Delta Changes or Cancels Your Flight?
- A passenger-requested change is different from a change caused by Delta.
- If Delta cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change or delay, different rebooking and refund provisions may apply.
- Delta states that when a flight is canceled or affected by a significant delay or significant schedule change, it may automatically try to rebook affected passengers. Delta's published policy also provides refund options in qualifying situations.
- For eligible disruptions, passengers should review the alternatives presented in My Trips before voluntarily canceling the reservation.
Changing a Delta Ticket Purchased Through a Travel Agency
- If you purchased your Delta ticket through a travel agency, online travel agency, vacation package provider, or another airline, the change process can be different.
- Delta notes that additional third-party handling charges may apply to tickets that Delta did not issue directly. Delta-issued tickets booked through Delta's reservation channels, delta.com, or the Fly Delta app are treated differently under its external ticket handling rules.
- If your reservation was issued by another company, check whether that company must process the change.
Delta Award Ticket Change Policy
- SkyMiles award tickets have their own rules.
- Delta states that changes and cancellations can be free for eligible Classic award tickets for travel within the U.S., including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as international travel originating in the U.S. and Canada. Award tickets involving Basic experiences or travel originating outside the U.S. and Canada can have different restrictions or redeposit fees.
- Therefore, do not automatically apply cash-ticket rules to an award reservation.
What Information Should You Have Before Changing a Delta Flight?
Keep the following information available:
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Confirmation number
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Passenger's full name
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Ticket number, if available
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Original travel date
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Preferred new travel date
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Preferred departure time
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Passport or travel-document information for international travel, if relevant
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Payment method for any additional fare
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SkyMiles information, if applicable
Having your preferred alternatives ready can make the process considerably faster.
Tips to Reduce the Cost of a Delta Flight Change
Check Several Dates
- If your schedule is flexible, compare nearby dates. Fare differences can vary substantially.
Change Before Departure
- Do not wait until after the scheduled departure. Delta's no-show rules can cause a ticket to lose its remaining value.
Check Your Fare Type
Before assuming a change is free, identify whether the reservation is:
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Basic
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Classic
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Extra
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Refundable
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Award
The fare type can determine your eligibility and potential fees.
Compare the Full Cost
- A "free change" only means there may be no change fee. It does not necessarily mean the new flight is free.
- Always look at the final amount after the fare difference is calculated.
Use My Trips First
- Online changes can be more convenient and can help you see the available flights and applicable price before confirming the transaction.
Common Reasons Travelers Need to Change a Delta Flight
Passengers commonly reschedule Delta flights because of:
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Work or business schedule changes
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Family events
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Medical or personal emergencies
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Weather-related travel concerns
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Missed connections
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Vacation date changes
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School or university schedules
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Passport or visa delays
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Changes in accommodation
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Connecting flight problems
The best solution depends on whether the change is voluntary or caused by a Delta schedule disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Delta flight for free?
- It depends on the ticket and journey. Many Classic and Extra tickets originating in the U.S. and Canada can be changed without a change fee, but a fare difference may apply. Basic tickets and tickets originating outside the U.S. and Canada can have different fees and restrictions.
How much does Delta charge to change a flight?
- There is no universal Delta flight-change fee. Depending on the fare, origin, destination, and ticket issue date, the fee can range from $0 to amounts listed in Delta's applicable fee schedule. A fare difference may also apply.
Can I change my Delta flight date?
- Yes, if your ticket permits changes. You can generally use My Trips to select a new date and available flight before departure.
Can I change a Delta Basic ticket?
- Some Delta Basic tickets can be changed for a fee, depending on the journey and when the ticket was purchased. Basic tickets have more restrictions than Classic or Extra experiences and are excluded from same-day confirmed and standby programs.
Can I change my Delta flight within 24 hours of booking?
- Qualifying eTickets purchased directly from Delta for travel originating in the U.S. are covered by Delta's 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy. Within the applicable period, eligible customers can cancel or change the ticket without a cancellation/change penalty, subject to the policy's terms.
Can I change my Delta flight on the same day?
- Eligible passengers may use Same-Day Confirmed or Same-Day Standby on qualifying itineraries. Basic experiences are excluded from these same-day programs.
Does Delta charge for Same-Day Confirmed?
- For eligible Classic tickets, Delta currently lists Same-Day Confirmed starting at $75 when available. Extra and refundable experiences may qualify for complimentary same-day confirmed changes, and certain Medallion benefits can also waive the charge.
Can I change my Delta flight after checking in?
- Depending on the circumstances, you may still be able to modify your itinerary. Near departure, same-day change rules and availability restrictions may apply.
What happens if I miss my Delta flight without changing it?
- You risk losing the remaining value of the ticket. Delta advises passengers to change or cancel before departure to preserve applicable ticket value.
Can I change a Delta ticket bought through Expedia or another travel agency?
- The process may depend on who issued the ticket. Delta states that tickets not issued by Delta can be subject to additional third-party handling charges and procedures.
What happens if my new Delta flight costs less?
- Depending on the ticket rules, eligible remaining value may be issued as an eCredit after applicable fees. The exact result will be shown during the change process.
Can I change my Delta destination?
- Some tickets permit changes to routing or destination, but the applicable fare rules and price of the revised itinerary determine whether the change can be completed and what you will pay. Delta's contract of carriage allows certain itinerary changes subject to applicable fare rules.
Delta Airlines Flight Change Policy Help
The Delta Airlines flight change policy is more flexible than it was under older fee structures, but the rules are not identical for every passenger. The most important factors are your ticket type, point of origin, destination, purchase date, and timing of the change.
For many eligible Classic and Extra tickets originating in the U.S. and Canada, Delta does not charge a traditional change fee. However, you may still have to pay a fare difference. Basic tickets and international tickets originating outside the U.S. and Canada can have separate fees and restrictions.
The safest approach is to open My Trips before departure, review your ticket's specific change conditions, compare replacement flights, and check the final price before confirming. If Delta itself has canceled or significantly changed your flight, review the disruption options before voluntarily canceling because different rebooking and refund rights may apply.
Because Delta's fare rules and fees can change, travelers should always verify the terms displayed for their specific reservation before paying for a change.
