Delta Adds More Restrictions for Basic Economy Fares Delta Adds More Restrictions for Basic Economy Fares

Delta Adds More Restrictions for Basic Economy Fares

AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.

Delta Air Lines seems to be the Edward Scissorhands of the airline industry these days — it just keeps cutting away at everything within reach. This week, Delta hacked away at its already bare-bones Basic Economy fare. If you thought it was doo doo before, wait until you hear these changes.

Key Changes

  • Basic Economy flights will no longer earn Delta SkyMiles.
  • Passengers flying in Basic Economy will not earn Medallion-qualifying elite credits.
  • Flights scheduled after December 31, 2021 in Basic Economy fares will no longer be changeable.
  • Cancellations can be made, but they are full of restrictions (see below).

Quick Overview of Delta Basic Economy

Basic Economy is Delta's cheapest fare class and includes exactly what the name implies: the basics. When you book a seat in Delta Basic Economy, you can expect the following:

  • No seat assignments until after check-in, and you are not guaranteed seats together when there's more than one person on the reservation.
  • Basic Economy passengers are the last to board.
  • Basic economy fares are not eligible for paid or complimentary upgrades.

But Delta is adding to this list of restrictions.

New Earning Structure – or Lack Thereof

Delta Adds More Restrictions for Basic Economy Fares, and They're Bad.
Earning SkyMiles and Medallion Qualifying miles is ‘much too good for' Delta Basic Economy flyers.

Beginning December 9, 2021 and applying to flights booked for January 1, 2022 and later, Delta Basic Economy flyers will no longer earn SkyMiles on their flights. Prior to this announcement, Basic Economy earned Delta's standard base rate of 5x SkyMiles per dollar (before elite bonuses).

Additionally, passengers in Basic Economy will no longer earn elite-qualifying miles for Delta Medallion status.

Cancellations and Changes

Aside from the changes in earning structure for Basic Economy, Delta is also “updating” its cancellation and change policies. Prior to Covid, Delta did not allow changes or cancellations for Basic Economy fares. While concessions were made due to the pandemic, those will soon end.

Delta will implement the following policies:

  • After December 31, 2021, no changes to Basic Economy tickets will be allowed.
  • Cancellations will receive a partial eCredit, according to the itinerary chart below.
  • You will need to pay cancellation fees.

For cancellations, depending on where the flight originates, you can expect to pay the following:

  • U.S. domestic flights: Subject to a $99 fee
  • Flights to the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico: Subject to a $99 fee.
  • Originating in the U.S. or Canada to an international destination: Subject to a $199 fee.
  • Europe: Cancellation charge is €150 for travel originating in Europe.
  • Africa, Middle East, and India: Cancellation charge is $199 for travel originating in one of these areas.
  • Mexico: Travel originating here cannot be changed or cancelled.

And for award tickets that are cancelled, you will be charged the following:

  • Domestic flights within the U.S. and Canada: 9,900 miles
  • International flights: 19,900 miles

Alternatives to Delta Basic Economy

Fortunately, not all other airlines have followed in Delta's footsteps. At least not yet. The following airlines are just a few of those that still allow members to earn miles on Basic Economy fares.

Related Content: American Airlines Simplifies Elite Status Requirements and Makes Changes to AAdvantage Program

Co-Branded Cards Can Help

American Express offers several co-branded Delta cards. These cards allow members to use various benefits, even with Basic Economy fares. For example, the following cards come with the first checked bag free. A checked bag would normally cost $30 when flying in Basic Economy.

Additionally, cardholders receive Zone 5 priority boarding.

Related Content: How to Choose the Right Delta Credit Card

Final Thoughts

These changes regarding Delta's Basic Economy fares are a huge blow. Likely, most flyers pursuing status weren't flying in Basic Economy. However, passengers flying on Basic Economy tickets likely expected some normalcy with miles earning and respectable change/cancelation fees.

This is just another reminder of how quickly things can change in the industry. Fortunately, as a Delta co-branded cardholder, you can still get a few benefits that are typically excluded from Basic Economy fares. Overall, though…yuck.

What do you think of these changes?

AwardWallet Tip of The Day
Are you overwhelmed by too many accounts appearing on your AwardWallet dashboard? You can now declutter by moving the accounts you no longer need into the "Archived Accounts" tab. Once an account is archived, it won't appear in your main "Active Accounts" list. Please note that this feature is not yet available on our mobile interface.
Show me how

The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.