Last updated: 31 October 2026.
What happens depends on the ticket. Basic and Classic tickets cannot be refunded, while Extra and refundable tickets can be repaid fully.
24 hoursrisk-free cancellation after buying, on tickets bought from Delta
7 business dayscredit-card refund on refunds due under US rules
20 dayscash or cheque refunds
1 yearvalidity of most eCredits from cancelled non-refundable tickets
If you cancel
- 24-hour risk-free cancellation: tickets bought directly from Delta, including Basic fares, can be cancelled for a full refund up to midnight the day after booking (for some rules the ticket must start in the United States). A same-day booking can be cancelled until midnight or until travel starts, whichever is first.
- After that, a non-refundable ticket can be cancelled for an eCredit minus the cancellation fee; the eCredit lasts a year from the purchase date unless the ticket says something else. Tickets not changed or cancelled before departure have no value left.
- Main Classic and higher tickets carry no change or cancel fee within the US, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, or from the US or Canada to anywhere; Basic is excluded.
- An Extra or refundable ticket cancelled before departure is refunded in full to the original payment method.
- Group bookings made through a travel agency, used tickets and non-refundable tickets without a disruption cannot be refunded.
If the airline cancels or changes the flight
- After a cancellation or a significant delay or schedule change (3 hours or more for domestic, 6 hours or more for international), Delta tries to rebook you automatically. If you dislike the new flight, cancel for a refund of the unflown part, prepaid seats and bag fees, or accept an eCredit with a five-year life.
- If no rebooking is possible and a day passes without action from you, it refunds you automatically to the original payment method.
- Serious communicable disease: with a doctor's documents you may get a 5-year transferable credit, or at Delta's discretion a refund, less a $100 processing fee.
Refund timing
- Card refunds for tickets and extras usually take 7 business days to process, and your statement may need up to two billing cycles to show them. Cash and cheque purchases are repaid by cheque, usually in 20 days. No handling fee is kept on refunds owed.
Questions travellers ask us
Can I cancel a Basic ticket for free?
Yes within 24 hours of buying directly from Delta; afterwards, for an eCredit minus a fee.
Which tickets have no cancellation fee?
Main Classic and above on the routes listed, but not Basic.
How long is an eCredit valid?
A year from the purchase date, unless the ticket states otherwise.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of Delta Air Lines. Check the airline's own pages before you travel.
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