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If you're a Delta loyalist, you've likely noticed the airline go through several brand transformations over the past few years. Between the refresh of the SkyMiles credit card lineup and the opening of Delta One lounges, it's been a lot to keep up with the changes. Recently, we have seen a shift in the terminology surrounding fare classes. What was previously “Comfort+” has been rebranded to Delta Comfort, and the list goes on.
One of the more recent Delta changes comes to how you purchase tickets. You can now choose from 11 different “Travel Experiences” when booking your next Delta flight for travel starting October 1, 2025. Here's what to know about Delta's new unbundled fare structure, and when it takes effect.
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Delta Launches “Travel Experiences” for Every Cabin
When you book travel departing on or after October 1, 2025, you'll see new unbundled fares. According to Delta, these options offer additional flexibility and personalization, so there's something for everyone. When you perform a search on the Delta website or through the app, you'll still see the same fare classes as usual:
- Delta Main
- Delta Comfort
- Delta First
- Delta Premium Select
- Delta One
Note that some fare classes are only available on select routes.
The new Travel Experiences come into play when you select a fare class. Now, you'll be able to choose between Basic, Classic, and Extra fares.
- Basic: This option is only available when booking a Delta Main ticket and offers limited flexibility and benefits. It is a basic economy ticket.
- Classic: The standard fare, which includes seat selection, standard mileage accrual, eCredits for cancellations, and same-day standby.
- Extra: The most expensive option includes additional miles per dollar, a refund to the original form of payment, and same-day confirmed changes.
So, Delta Main offers all three experiences, and Delta Comfort, First, Premium Select, and Delta One all offer Classic and Extra experiences. In total, that's 11 different experiences to choose from for your next flight. Keep in mind that Delta Main Basic is a basic economy ticket, so you are the last to board, you don't earn miles on your flight, and your seat is assigned after check-in.
One misleading aspect about this launch is that Delta's website or app now shows the Delta Main Basic price when you perform a search. If you don't realize it, you'll initially think you're getting a great deal on your flight. Then, you'll click on Delta Main, only to find out that the Delta Main Classic costs significantly more. To avoid this, be sure to select “Delta Main” when performing your initial search.
For example, the screenshot above shows a nonstop flight from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX). Before clicking on Delta Main, you might think to yourself, “$179 for a cross-country flight on Delta is a steal!” Then, you realize that a standard ticket is actually $50 more. On international flights, this difference can reach into the hundreds.
Related: Which Delta Credit Card Is Right for You?
Differences Between Delta Classic and Extra Tickets
Assuming you don't want a basic economy ticket, you have two travel experiences for each fare class: Classic and Extra. Is the difference enough to justify spending more money?
If you book an Extra ticket, you'll earn an additional two miles per dollar over a Classic ticket. So, you'll earn at the following rates when booking an Extra ticket, regardless of fare class:
- General SkyMiles Member: 7 miles per dollar
- Silver Medallion: 9 miles per dollar
- Gold Medallion: 10 miles per dollar
- Platinum Medallion: 11 miles per dollar
- Diamond Medallion: 13 miles per dollar
Booking an Extra ticket allows you to cancel for a refund to your original form of payment, while a Classic ticket receives an eCredit. If you're a Medallion member, you'll receive enhanced upgrade priority with an Extra ticket. A Main Extra ticket also gives Zone 5 boarding, while a Main Classic ticket boards in Zone 6 or 7. All other fare classes follow the standard Delta boarding order, regardless of Classic or Extra.
Remember that these earnings are in addition to what you'll earn from paying for the purchase using your credit card. Here are some of the best credit cards for travel purchases:
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
- 12X – Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.
- 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.
- 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time.
- 1.5X – Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
But is it worth it?
The difference in price between a Classic and an Extra ticket can be pretty substantial. For instance, a Main Classic ticket from Atlanta (ATL) to Cape Town (CPT) costs $1,623 one-way. The Main Extra ticket costs $1,843, or an additional $220. You'll have to determine for yourself if it's worth paying $220 extra just to receive bonus miles and a better cancellation policy.
An important caveat — you cannot book an Extra ticket when booking an award redemption. This makes sense because the only real benefits of this fare are associated with cash. On routes where an Extra option isn't available, a refundable ticket will be offered.
Related: Earn While You Burn: 4 Airlines That Offer Elite Status Credits on Award Travel
Final Thoughts
Delta's Travel Experiences are just unbundled fares that are unnecessarily confusing and offer little value to travelers. Essentially, Delta is charging more for an Extra ticket by making it refundable to the original form of payment and slightly increasing mileage earnings. If you're willing to pay hundreds of dollars more for a refundable ticket, then this is great news. Otherwise, book a classic ticket because your in-flight experience will be the same, at least for now.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
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