DELTA DUMPS CHANGE FEES FOR TRAVELERS’ ‘PEACE OF MIND’

The situation

Delta Air Lines’ move this week to eliminate change fees for most domestic tickets will allow customers “to book and travel with peace of mind,” said chief executive Ed Bastian.

“We want our customers to book and travel with peace of mind, knowing that we’ll continue evaluating our policies to maintain the high standard of flexibility they expect,” Bastian said in a written statement Tuesday.

Atlanta-based Delta announced the move Monday, the same day United Airlines eliminated its domestic change fees.

Why it matters

Airlines have depended on change fees to generate millions of dollars in revenue over the years. In 2019, Delta brought in $830 million in revenue from cancellation/ change fees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Such fees also make it easier for airlines to predict ticket demand and how full planes will be.

More details

Delta still will not change its permanent policy of not allowing ticket changes or upgrades to Basic Economy tickets, even with a change fee. But the airline will extend a broader temporary change fee waiver on all new bookings including domestic and international flights. And, for tickets booked before April 17, Delta said it will extend travel credit expiration dates through December 2022.

The elimination of domestic change fees, which became effective immediately, will make it easier for customers to book, change or cancel their travel plans, according to the company.

AJC 2016