Delta has canceled more than 80% of its April schedule, and expects cancellations to continue past May.
With passengers unable — or unwilling — to fly right now and for the foreseeable future, the airline is making a few changes to support its frequent flyers, and to offer flexibility for those with trips planned this summer and fall who may now be having second thoughts.
Travel credits extended for up to two years, and fees are waived for cancellations and changesBecause there's still uncertainty surrounding when travel can resume, Delta said it would extend the validity of travel credits, such as the vouchers customers receive if they choose to cancel a flight (although if the airline cancels the flight, rather than the passenger, the airline has to offer a regular refund).
All eCredits are automatically extended until May 2022 — note that if you have a credit in your Delta account, it may not reflect the new expiration date right away, but the airline says it's working on it.
Tickets purchased between March 1 and May 31, 2020, can be changed without fees for up to a year from the date of purchase.
Additionally, anyone with travel scheduled to depart in April or May can change their dates — or destinations — without a fee, or can cancel their trip to receive an eCredit.
Extending SkyMiles Medallion status through 2021All SkyMiles Medallion members will see their status tier extended for one year, through 2021.
That means that if you hold Platinum Medallion status now, you won't have to worry about requalifying by the end of December 2020 like you normally would.
In addition, all Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) earned this year will be rolled over into 2021, so they'll count towards your 2022 status. MQMs are miles earned for flights, which are one of the ways to earn status.
Delta Sky Club memberships are extendedFor some Sky Club lounge membership holders who, thanks to the lack of flying and lounge closures, have not been able to use their memberships, Delta is offering an extension.
Sky Club Individual and Executive memberships that are set to expire March 1, 2020, or later, will get an extra six months added.
That means that if you were set to expire on April 1, you'll keep access to Sky Clubs until October.
Some credit card benefits are also extendedSome of Delta's co-branded credit cards, which are issued by American Express, come with a variety of one-time or recurring benefits, such as flight credits, companion certificates, or guest passes. The following cardholders will receive extensions to these benefits, as long as the benefit is currently valid or has expired since March 1:
- Delta SkyMiles Gold Card Members with a $100 Delta flight credit will get a six-month extension beyond their current expiration date.
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card Members with Companion Certificates with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, can use them when they book and fly by Dec. 31, 2020, and those that expire between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, will receive an additional six months beyond the current expiration date.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members with Companion Certificates with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, can use them when they book and fly by Dec. 31, 2020, and those that expire between July 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, will receive an additional six months beyond the current expiration date.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members will also get a six-month extension to use their Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes beyond their current expiration date.
Other SkyMiles benefitsFinally, Delta is extending the following benefits, as long as they're currently valid or have expired since March 1:
- Upgrade Certificates or $200 Travel Vouchers with an original expiration date between March 1 and June 30, 2020, are extended – now, they can be booked and flown by Dec. 31, 2020. And, SkyMiles Members with Upgrade Certificates or $200 Travel Vouchers that expire after June 30, 2020, will receive an additional six months beyond the current expiration date.
- SkyMiles Select members will receive a six-month extension to the Priority Boarding benefit and any unused drink vouchers.
- Unused drink vouchers will be extended for six months from their expiration date.