From our friends at ThePointsGuy.com
In April, Delta seriously hacked away at the ability to do Same Day Confirmed flight changes, mandating that your originally purchased fare class must be available in order to switch to another flight on your day of departure. They spun this as an enhancement because they opened up the window to change your flight to any flight on your day of departure vs. just within 3 hours before or after. However, the $50 fee still applied to Gold/Platinum/Diamond Medallions who wanted to change outside of that 3 hour window- so clearly the move was a revenue play for Delta.
My biggest gripe was the fare class restriction, which greatly reduced the chance for me to Same Day Confirmed since I usually fly on discounted economy fares. In the past, as long as Delta was selling a single coach or first class seat, you could confirm into that cabin within the 3 hour window. Under the new rules, you could still standby for a seat ($50 for Silver Medallion and non-elites)or if you wanted to confirm and your fare class was not available, you’d have to rebook into an available class, usually at a $150 change fee plus re-fare.
Now, they are allowing Gold and higher Medallions to confirm onto a flight within 24 hours of departure. However, the fare class requirement still stands, which is a major bummer in my opinion. I’d rather have the option to pay $50 to Same Day Confirm within 24 hours under the old rules (as long as there is any availability in your cabin) than having the fee waived, but having to switch into your same fare class.
“The same booking class (e.g. Q, K, L or U) still needs to be available for same-day confirmed changes, but we are making some modifications to give you more flexibility:
Effective immediately, we will waive the $50 same-day confirmed fee for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members. This change increases the number of free options available for same-day travel changes.
By late August, you will also be able to request a same-day change up to 24 hours before your original flight departure time, rather than only on your day of departure. This will better align with existing check-in reminders and make it more convenient for you.
You can find more information at delta.com/samedaytravel later this morning when we update the related delta.com pages.
Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members may continue to stand by free of charge on your original day of departure. We also continue to offer $50 same-day confirmed and standby options for Silver Medallion members, general SkyMiles members and non-members.”
Steele Luxury Travel
www.SteeleTravel.com