How to cancel Delta flights and request a refund

Things change. Accepting that fact is one of the keys to happiness – which can be kind of hard to do when your travel plans are all screwed up.

If you need to cancel Delta Air Lines flights, you’re probably wondering if your tickets are eligible for a refund or travel credit. As with all airlines, refunds for passenger-initiated flight cancellations on Delta depend on the fare type purchased. If Delta cancelled or delayed your flights, you’re probably eligible for a refund no matter what fare type you bought.

This guide will explain Delta cancellation and refund policies, show you how to easily cancel Delta Air Lines flights, and request a refund if your tickets are eligible.

Table of contents

• 24-Hour Cancellation Policy
• How to Cancel Delta Flights
• Request a Refund from Delta Air Lines
  • Refundable Flights (Passenger-Initiated Cancellations)
  • Refunds Due to Schedule Changes or Delays
  • North America (and from Caribbean to US / Mexico)
  • Flights originating outside of North America

  24-Hour Cancellation Policy

  Delta offers full refunds for flights cancelled within 24 hours of purchase. Since you have until midnight the day after purchase to act (think 11:59pm, not 12:01am), the cancellation window for Delta flights is actually longer than 24 hours. For example, if you buy flights on a Saturday afternoon, you have until late Sunday evening to cancel. The only real exception is that if you buy flights the same day you depart, you only have until midnight that evening to cancel and receive a full refund.

  The Delta 24-hour cancellation policy applies to all fare types, including Basic Economy, and is valid for tickets purchased on Delta.com, the Fly Delta app, Delta ticket offices and airport ticket counters, and by phone with the Reservation Sales department.

  If you purchased your ticket with SkyMiles and wish to cancel within 24 hours, you’ll need to do it by phone.

  If you purchased Delta flights from an online travel agency (OTA), there may be a $50 external ticket handling charge to cancel them unless it can be done through delta.com. In addition, not all OTAs offer free 24-hour cancellation. Two OTAs that allow you to make changes or cancel flights on delta.com and offer 24-hour flight cancellation with full refunds are Orbitz and Expedia.