How to get a refund from Delta Airlines

If you booked a flight on Delta that you won’t be able to take and want the cost of your ticket refunded, here’s what you need to know.

Delta Airlines Refund Policy

If you cancel within 24 hours of booking your ticket you are entitled to a full refund without any cancellation fees. 

Delta typically won’t charge the ticket until after the “24 hour hold period” expires, so you are essentially just cancelling the ticket that had not yet been paid for.  You won’t have to go through a traditional refund process and this is a law mandated by the DOT to all airlines.

Delta just requires that the cancellation request is made by midnight of the day after the eTicket is purchased or midnight of the departure date of the first flight, whichever comes first. Cancellation request must be made before travel commences for the first flight.

Refund due to Cancellation of a Flight

If your flight is cancelled and you don’t want to be re-booked on another flight, you are also entitled to a full refund of the ticket price.

Delta will try to first re-book you an alternative flight or convert your ticket value to an eCredit for future Delta travel.  However, if you want a refund for a cancelled flight they are required to provide it to you in the original form of payment

Note: Airfare rules have changed since COVID, so check out Delta Airlines travel requirements page to make sure you are up to speed with the latest developments and policies.

Cancelling a Basic Economy Ticket

Basic Economy tickets purchased after April 30, 2021 cannot be changed.  If you cancel a Basic Economy ticket purchased after April 30, 2021, you will lose the value of your ticket. This is just one of several reasons you need to make sure the savings are worth the downsides of a Basic Economy Ticket. I generally try to avoid them.

Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Tickets

Getting a refund on a fully refundable ticket is relatively easy, but it’s a lot tougher if you have a non-refundable ticket.

Delta Airlines won’t issue refunds on non-refundable tickets, except for the following situations that are considered “unplanned events”:

• Death of the traveler, traveling companion or immediate family member.

While you can’t always get a refund, you can receive an eCredit for the value of the ticket, minus any cancellation fees (if applicable). The value of the eCredit can then be redeemed toward the cost of a future Delta flight.

Documentation Requirements for a Refund

If you find yourself in an unplanned situation that requires you to cancel your trip, here’s the documentation you will need to provide to Delta to get a refund:

• In case of death: Copy of the death certificate.

Delta Airlines Refund Request: How to Get a Refund

After reading the above information, if you believe you are eligible for a refund, just go to the Delta Airlines refund page and follow the steps outlined, starting with your name and ticket number.

Where to find your Delta Airlines Ticket Number

You can find your ticket number on either the printed boarding pass or your receipt.

The Delta Airlines Ticket Number is a 13-digit document number beginning with 006

Refunds via mail

If you’re unable to submit your request online, you can contact Delta Passenger Refunds via mail at the addresses below. Make sure to include your Delta Airlines ticket number, your flight information, contact information and reason for your request.

Via U.S. Postal Service
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Passenger Refunds
P.O. Box 20537
Atlanta, GA 30320-2537

Via Courier Service
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Passenger Refunds, 4th Floor
700 South Central Avenue
Hapeville, GA 30354

How to check your Delta Airlines Refund Status

You can check the status of your refund on the Delta Airlines website here.  

Just enter your ticket number, last name and refund request number.

How long will it take to get a refund from Delta Airlines?

If you are owed a refund, Delta must process the refund and provide a credit within 7 business days if you paid by credit card, and 20 business days if you paid by cash or check.

Refund Policies of Other Airlines