Delta Air Lines still not offering a blanket no-refund policy on cancellations

(SOUTH AMERICA) Delta Air Lines is tightening its cancellation policy for tickets issued in the region while stopping short of a blanket “no refunds” rule, a shift that matters for thousands of migrants, students, and families who fly between South America and the United States 🇺🇸. As of September 1, 2025, Delta has not adopted an across-the-board “no refunds” stance for canceled flights. But new restrictions—especially for travel originating in South America—mean higher fees, fewer changes, and more eCredits instead of cash in many cases.

Under changes effective June 26, 2025, tickets issued for travel starting in South America cannot be changed, and the cancellation fee is $330 for tickets issued on or after that date ($199 if the ticket was issued before June 26). These rules hit budget-focused travelers hardest, including those with Basic Economy, which remains the most restrictive fare. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the policy direction mirrors a broader industry move back to stricter rules after the pandemic years of flexibility.

Policy Changes Overview

Delta-initiated cancellations remain the major exception. If Delta cancels a flight—including popular routes—or imposes a significant schedule change, the airline will try to rebook you. If the new option doesn’t work, you can cancel and request a refund for the unflown portion of your ticket and for any prepaid seats or checked bags, or choose an eCredit valid for five years.

• Refunds are not automatic; you must request them through My Trips or the Fly Delta app.
• The 24-hour risk-free window still applies: all tickets (including Basic Economy) can be canceled within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to the original payment method if purchased at least seven days before departure.

After the 24-hour window:

• Basic Economy (Delta Main Basic): generally non-refundable and non-changeable. Some routes allow cancellation for an eCredit minus a fee (often $99–$199), and higher on certain international itineraries.
• Non-refundable tickets: can be canceled for an eCredit minus a fee that ranges from $0–$400, depending on route and fare class.
• Refundable tickets: can be canceled before departure for a full cash refund.
• No-show: if you fail to cancel before departure, you lose the entire value of the ticket.

Two targeted waivers in 2025 add limited relief:

• Medical waiver (April 28, 2025): may allow a refund or credit for passengers told by a medical professional not to travel due to a serious communicable disease. Documentation required.
• Basic Economy waiver (May 20, 2025): opened rare exceptions to the standard non-refundable rule in defined cases.

These waivers are narrow and reviewed case by case.

What It Means for Travelers

For immigrants, students, and seasonal workers who often book the cheapest fares, the practical headline is: Delta has not adopted “no refunds” across the board, but for many non-refundable and Basic Economy tickets the outcome after the 24-hour window is typically an eCredit, not cash. That affects people who need funds for visa fees, who must adjust travel after consular delays, or who have to rebook on another carrier when plans shift.

Key details to keep in mind:

• If Delta cancels your flight or makes a large schedule change, you can decline the rebooked option and request a refund or a five-year eCredit. You must take action to get money back; it’s not automatic.
• South America-origin tickets issued on or after June 26, 2025: no changes allowed, cancellation fee $330; $199 if the ticket was issued earlier.
• Refund timelines: credit card refunds typically process within about seven business days; check refunds can take up to 20 days.
• Documentation matters: medical waiver requests require proof and an eligibility review.

How to Cancel and Request Value

Follow these steps to cancel and request a refund or eCredit:

1. Go to My Trips on https://www.delta.com or use the Fly Delta app.
2. Select your flight and choose “Need to Cancel?”
3. Click “Start Flight Cancellation” and follow the prompts.
4. If eligible, pick refund to original payment method; otherwise, accept an eCredit.
5. Track the refund or eCredit in your Delta account; contact Delta if the status stalls.

Immigration and Time-Sensitive Travel Considerations

These rules often intersect with immigration timelines. Students with late I-20 updates, workers awaiting start-date letters, or families rescheduling consular appointments may find that a non-refundable ticket locks funds into an eCredit instead of cash—money they might need for fees or new itineraries.

• Travelers juggling biometrics appointments, layover visa needs, or tight connection windows may prefer to cancel and reclaim value rather than accept a rebooking that doesn’t meet time constraints.
• Remember: refunds require a request.

Practical Tips and Recommendations

If you’re balancing immigration steps or time-sensitive travel:

• Book refundable fares if you expect consular timing to shift.
• If you must buy Basic Economy, budget for a possible $99–$199+ fee and expect an eCredit instead of cash.
• Keep medical documentation ready if illness may affect travel.
• If Delta cancels or reschedules your flight in a major way, claim your refund or eCredit promptly.

Stakeholder Views and Resources

Stakeholders offer measured views:

• Consumer advocates urge passengers to check fare class rules before purchase and to act quickly if a flight changes.
• Travel analysts say Delta’s policy lines up with other major U.S. carriers while keeping Basic Economy strict.
• Delta states that customer flexibility is a priority, but non-refundable and Basic Economy limits apply unless a waiver or airline-initiated cancellation applies.

For an official reference on refund rights, review the U.S. Department of Transportation’s materials for air travelers at the DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection page: see the DOT site at the Aviation Consumer Protection office https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer.

For airline-specific rules and any 2025 waiver codes, rely on https://www.delta.com.

Important takeaway: No blanket “no refunds” rule is in place today, and there are clear paths to refunds for airline-initiated cancellations. However, the trend in 2024–2025 is a return to stricter fare rules, with targeted waivers instead of broad flexibility. The 24-hour risk-free window remains the best safety valve for second thoughts, and South America-origin tickets now carry higher fees and firmer limits that travelers should factor into time-sensitive immigration travel.

If a refund stalls, contact Delta Air Lines Customer Service or use the “Message Us” feature on the website. For package trips, Delta Vacations maintains a separate support line.