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One of my many pet peeves about Delta.com is that when you go HERE to look at your current list of upcoming flights, and you have a schedule change, you will not see it. As you can see from my list of upcoming flights with Delta, I would not have known about any flight or seat changes or problems unless I click on each and every one. This is MOST frustrating.
This was one of the GREATEST things about AwardWallet, that is before Delta blocked them. AwardWallet would via email each day alert you to ANY changes like your seat or time or such. Now we must check for ourselves or wait to hope the Delta “IT” does send out a notice e-mail that your flight has changed. Truly this is unacceptable!
How often does a schedule change happen and what are the rules and can it help you? Also, do you just have to take it or do you have options once this does happen? I got into a back and forth a bit with a reader, Tyler who is a Delta Diamond, about how useful this tip is. He commented:
…”the schedule change rule, which doesn’t work as often as you say. I’d recommend putting a word of caution to users to not use that as the only way.”
he goes on to say, “Aren’t you a platinum who makes most of your MQM’s on credit card spend, and as such don’t fly too much? As a Diamond, I can assure you I’ve tried this many times before and while it can work, it is not promised and in fact is less than 50%. Also, you aren’t taking into account the chance of having your baggage delayed if you create a crazy itinerary and miss flights. If you weren’t a medallion, I would recommend against this approach altogether.”
Well I do fly a little now and then on Delta (as you can see above) and I do find this tip very useful for adjusting low level frequent flyer seats you were able to grab. I also find this especially useful if you are NOT a medallion and want FREE changes (Platinum or Diamond Medallion get free changes on points tickets all they want up to 72hrs before flight). But he does make a valid point that I needed to add more info abut this on the blog. Also, there are some very important things to keep in mind if you are going to try to utilize this little gem and I thank Tyler for reminding me to highlight this. So here we go with these important things to keep in mind:
1) Book as far out as you can, 300+ days
2) Add as many regional connections as you can
3) Know the rules of what is allowed
4) Check for other flights before you call
5) Know you may have to fly crazy routes
Let’s hit these one by one.
1) Delta schedules change all the time. Logic dictates that the farther out you can book the more likely you are to have a change and thus the reason to book as far out as you can stand.
2) Mainline jets don’t change times as much so watch out! Let’s take for example:
DL 252 daily flight nonstop 7h 55m
DEPARTS 4:00PM from Detroit-Wayne County, MI(DTW)
ARRIVES 5:55AM in Amsterdam, Netherlands(AMS)
This is a bus. One of the only real changes seasonally is that summer is often an A330-300 and winter the smaller A330-200. This flight almost never changes. If it does change, it is a few minutes here and there. However, regionals change all the time and the changes can be dramatic like 1 or 2 or even 3 hours. This takes us to the next point!
3) Just what is the rule for a schedule change. You can see it HERE and it says:
If a Delta schedule or routing change has delayed your departure or arrival by more than one hour, you may be eligible to select an alternate flight at no additional charge. Note that the below conditions may apply:
Your origin, destination and travel date must remain the same. Alternate flights must be available, and you can only modify once as subsequent changes may result in additional fees. Voluntary changes to other flights not impacted by a Delta schedule change may result in additional fees
So if more than 1 hour departure or landing and you are GOLDEN! Also keep in mind the total it is cumulative. That is, say from your ORIGINAL booking you have two 30+ min changes, you are now up to the 1 hour rule! But there is more to it that just this. For a domestic connection, you must have 30 min to make your flight. If you are in a wheelchair it is 60 min to make your flight. If it is “close” to this time most phone reps, when you explain to them that say 33 min to make a connection in ATL is never going to work, will work with you to change it at no charge! Also, internationally you need a 60 min connection to clear customs. Same thing, you can explain 63 min is in no way enough time to both wait for your luggage, wait in line at customs and make your connection flight! So use this to get the change you want!
4) This next one is a BIG ONE. Please, do your homework BEFORE you call Delta. Make it easy for the reps. This WILL help you so much if when you call you have checked to see what DELTA METAL flights you want to be on. With frequent flyer seats, on say AF or KLM, Delta cannot FORCE seats so even with a schedule change there must be low level seats open in whatever class of service you have picked. But, on Delta, they can do what they want and availability no longer matters. So, you have picked your flights, and your call will go something like this:
Hello (insert reps name). I have had a schedule change to my itinerary # (insert number) and it will not work for me. Could I please change the flights on (insert date) to DLxxxx and connection to Dlxxxx?
And you should be good to go. If they say things like, “I can not do that” or “this is outside the rules” or “you do not meet the min. time for a free change”, say, “OK I will leave it as is” and call back and try another rep. Or, ask for a supervisor to allow the change with the info above. Or, ask for the international reissue desk (when you are travailing internationally) as they often understand what will and will not work and can do it for you.
5) This is the one you must understand clearly. There is the slight chance you can get stuck with the crazy flights and seats you have picked (I am 100% successful to date but I always load up with regional fights) . While I am most upset by the current state of the ETV bump voucher rules, with a ton of connections you can have many chances for “bumpertunities” that is, to give up your seat for “delta dollars” giving you credit toward a later flight and then they can put you on much more direct flights!
So there you are! I will be adding this to my Essentials tab and apologize that I did not put this post up sooner than today! Like in golf, you must understand the rules if you want to play this game. If you know them, you can use them to your advantage! – René
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Thanks for posting this Rene! I took advantage of the schedule change rule for the first time a few weeks ago: I had my partner book a crazy international itinerary with three very tight US connections (it cost hundreds of dollars less than the more direct routing, taking advantage of the cheap SVO fares a few months back). A few weeks ago her flight MSY-MEM schedule changed, making that connection impossible, and Delta was happy to put her onto the more direct, much more expensive route she wanted in the first place!
Awesome. Homework and persistence!
Hi Rene, great post – thanks for shedding more light on this very important subject.
I’m understanding the “theory” but still lacking on the execution/practicality.
Could you give a detailed real-world example to show the exact changes and, most importantly, the purpose/benefits of doing that? (ie. a before and after)
Thanks!
Jordan
I used to be a DL Diamond until last year but stopped flying them since becoming Diamond (so stupid I am) as by then I realized the value of Skypesos..but I have quite a lot of miles sitting in my account and I have lost the status with DL as well.. just thinking if I can use those for my international trips without paying lot of change/booking/agent fee
nice post,
Quick question. I have an international reservation that I made on DL because it was on a plane with the new lay flat beds. Planes changed and it is no longer lay flat. any chance I can use that as an excuse to change flight for free?
@Charles – not really but it never hurts to ask. The ticket or contract of carriage says they can swap aircraft. Now, having said that, if you booked specifically to get the “full flat seats” (their words for it) you can ask and tell them you will be happy to be flexible with flights to get one with the full flats if they can work with you! Bet they help you out. Or rep #2 or rep #3 or rep #4 or…
@Jordan – please start with the : E4 – Booking low level seats w/Delta in the Essentials tab then email me with more questions rene@deltapoints.com
You didn’t really address any of the pitfalls, and again sold this idea as the best and only way to find low level award ticketing. I only book low level and never do this anymore. Here is just one potential pitfall, espcially if you aren’t a medallion:
One of your unnecessary connections gets delayed due to maintenance or weather, causing the entire trip to get delayed up to a day- which can easily happen to international destinations, especially ones with one daily DL flight. Here is an example- my girlfriend and her mother were flying from Denver to Brazil. Their DEN-ATL flight got delayed, causing them to miss the ATL-Brazil flight. Delta automatically rebooked them using their app and didn’t offer hotel or any compensation. If I wasn’t diamond and complained to the desk, they would have received only 25 dollars in compensation. Just one example how this approach is risky, especially to non-medallions..
@Tyler – you see pitfalls I see profit. Say you are bumped or miss and they offer a hotel. I say NO just give me another ETV for $200-$400 (I have done this many times) and then I use my points to get a room or pay and earn points. Also, I did not say this is the ONLY way, but many times the ONLY way to find low level seats is with crazy routes. Then, load it up as much as you can and sit back and wait for the change to come to you. I get emails every week from readers who do this and as I said I have been 100% successful when following the advice in the post!
Rene, you didn’t even read my post. I’m saying they bumped them and did NOT offer hotel. This is their new procedure with automatic rebooking. If you aren’t yet at the airport they can do this. And since they weren’t medallions, they were only offered 25 dollar vouchers TOTAL. I had to complain through the customer care line to get it up to a 200 ETV, given 4 days after the fact.
Also, you also overhype the potential of getting bumped. I have been bumped many, many times, but it does not happen nearly as often as you make it sound.
My advice to travelers- just pay attention over time. You can eventually find low level availability if you pay attention to changing levels, call the desk, and are patient. It’s a much better approach than this.
Does it make sense for a SLC flyer to Europe who wants a good business seat to avoid the above techniques as the only non-stop DL flight from SLC to Europe is on a 763 with old recliner-style seats?
@Tyler – no I did read your post but I also know that a non-meallion can get medallion level service with the phone app via @DeltaAssist! As I talked about in the blog post, Delta often does not tell you when a change happens let alone mid-flight but the APP does many times. I disagree with your advice but I will use my approach that is proven and works and you can use yours. If you wish to continue this let’s do it via email as I think readers see our points at this point.
@M – no. You can book regional flights from SLC to LAX or many other locations right? And from their on to say DTW or ATL or other places. You can still load up with connections if you want and then can pick what you want if the change happens.
The timing of this post is uncanny. As a Delta Silver, I was able to tweet and request a change b/c my flight schedule was altered by more than 4 hours. Originally arriving on Black Friday at 5:20 in OKC was changed to 11:23 arrival….and my final destination is 100 miles away in Tulsa. INSTEAD, now I am flying in and out of Tulsa with better itineraries!
All within 20 minutes via twitter per your blog instructions: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/deltapoints/2011/11/29/do-you-use-deltaassist-on-twitter-you-should/
Thanks Rene…I hope others can benefit from the wonderful service you provide!
Thanks you for posting!If my schedule is changed over an hour, can I request a refund and cancel the trip?
This is interesting. I always get an email alert if there is a change to my flights. Award and paid. I’ve also “complained” a few times…okay more than a few times. Every time but once I’ve asked for miles (usually 10K, 25K once) and got them, and changed my flight at no cost. I’m just Gold too..
(Will make PLAT this year though!)
@Pablo – yes! Or change it free.
@gussomer – txs for the the comment. great to see readers benefiting from the schedule change rule as i do! – rene
I booked low level award seats on Delta via Alaska. My schedule changed by more than an hour and I’m not real thrilled. If I want to change the flights, do I have to find low level seats? Or will Delta play nice and change me to any flight that has award seats available?
@Deborah – not 100% sure but confident if you find the flights you want and tweet or call space should not matter.
Thanks. I took a chance and actually got my tickets changed! I had to call Alaska since I used their miles. After a long time on hold, they came through and changed the ticket. I originally booked 2 25K award seats. Only thing available now is 60K award seats but they changed me anyway! Yeah Delta!!!
@Deborah – sweet. Anytime you have 1hr plus the schedule change rule should apply! – Rene
I set up an alert on Yapta for all of my flights after I book them. Once a week, I get an email alert that shows me the price status for each flight I have booked. But, more importantly, if there has been a schedule change on one of my flights, it shows up as “unable to review price”. That’s my flag to go to the airline’s website to find out what has changed.
Thanks for the tip re: accumulated time on multiple changes. I didn’t know that. Is it applicable to all airlines, or just Delta?
@Sharon L – “Thanks for the tip re: accumulated time on multiple changes. I didn’t know that. Is it applicable to all airlines, or just Delta?” – My head only is big enough to hold Delta info (other say my head is too big already) so can’t say about AA or UA etc but others readers may jump in here! – Rene
[...] the “mighty schedule change rule“. Since finding low level seats at peak times on the best routes is just about fantasy, this [...]
I booked a MR. LGA AUS PHX DTW JFK. There is a schedule change. Do you think I can increase the value of the MR by changing DTW to SFO? The new itin would be LGA AUS PHX ATL SFO JFK.
@VC – you can not change start or end but add legs in middle or longer routes if space open.