Want to get an earlier flight? It’ll cost more on Delta. (Image: Chris McGinnis)
It just got a little more expensive to get on an earlier Delta flight.
The airline this week boosted its fees from $50 to $75 for same-day confirmed flight changes and for standbys. That brings Delta’s fees into line with United’s and American’s.
The higher fee applies to SkyMiles Silver Medallions as well as non-elites and non-members. The fees continue to be waived for SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallions. H/T Points Miles & Martinis
The relatively steep fees at the major legacy carriers bring them into sharper contrast with Southwest’s no-fee policy for changes or cancellations. Earlier this month, Southwest also relaxed restrictions on free standby privileges for its A-List and A-List Preferred customers.
(Image: Jim Glab)
Even if you’re not on Southwest, it might be possible to get on an earlier flight without paying a fee, whether or not you’re an elite-level frequent flyer or a full-fare ticket holder. The key is to be able to show the gate agent that it is in the airline’s best interest to accommodate you on an earlier flight.
- If you get to the airport in time to grab an earlier departure, check the arrival status of the inbound aircraft that will become the outbound flight you’ve booked. (Instead of looking at the airline’s arrivals board, use FlightAware’s mobile app for greater accuracy.) If it’s coming in late, it means your departure will likely be delayed – and you might miss a connection downline. That makes it in the airline’s interest to put you on an earlier departure, especially if your connecting flight is overbooked or the last one of the day.
- If you’re flying out of a connecting hub and have a chance for an earlier departure than the one you’ve booked, ask the gate agent about the likelihood of “miss-connects” on that earlier flight. These are connecting passengers whose inbound flights are coming in late enough that they might miss the next segment (i.e., the one you want to get on). If the airline will accommodate your request, it will not only make you a happy passenger, but will also open up a seat on the later flight for someone who missed their connection.
- Remember that your attitude in talking to the gate agent can make all the difference – and gate agents have all the power in these situations, especially when it comes to waiving fees. These employees are busy and frequently abused by irate travelers – so taking a high-handed approach won’t get you anywhere. Don’t be overbearing, but don’t be obsequious either. Just be pleasant and seem like you’re trying to be helpful rather than demanding or annoying.
- If you have a good reason for wanting to get home earlier, it might be worth mentioning – especially if it involves your family. Would an earlier flight get you back in time to attend your kid’s Little League game or recital? Gate agents have families, too, and it could make them a little more sympathetic to your request.
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Kirk says
March 17, 2017 at 12:31 pmSilver is a very low bar with very low rewards. Kinda makes sense
DrewT says
March 17, 2017 at 12:11 pmOh, I agree… and the fact that I’m a Gold changes things as well… but I think I started this before the weather waiver went into effect. (I got the email about the weather waiver while I was sitting at the airport, after I’d already changed my flight.)
jeff says
March 17, 2017 at 10:32 amEven as a diamond the same fare Class has to be there. It flys all over me when they say this. I generally get the seat when I show up but if there is an equipment issue on an earlier flight I’m out o luck☘️
jeff says
March 17, 2017 at 10:30 amI agree with Kirt. Weather waiver trumps all on these things.
JD says
March 17, 2017 at 9:51 amDelta is really trying hard to make Silver Medallion not worth it. SWA should begin an expansion in ATL ASAP.
frank290 says
March 17, 2017 at 9:39 am…and how hard would it be for DL to throw a bone to us Silver Medallions and keep the fee at $50, with General Members and non-members paying the $75?
Kirk says
March 16, 2017 at 7:30 pmGood advice. Tho in your particular case, DL had a weather waiver in effect, which gives everyone the right to change to a different flight for free, automatically, with no conditions. So your case was an exception.
Kirk says
March 16, 2017 at 7:27 pmThere is a reason for this. Often, the late night or red-eye flight is the cheapest flight of the day. The airlines want to avoid having lots of people game the system by purchasing the cheap late flight, and then change to the expensive early flight that they actually wanted to take. If the change is very cheap, then people will do that.
kwa829 says
March 16, 2017 at 7:11 pmIt seems to me it is ALWAYS in the airline’s best interest to put a willing and able passenger on an earlier flight. If they want to charge for it, fine, but I ain’t payin’ no $75. They’d probably make more money if they charged $25 or $30.
DrewT says
March 16, 2017 at 6:24 pmI’ve found that the best approach is to go politely ask the agents at the Sky Club if they can help you out with an earlier flight. Leaving Boston last Friday (in the snowstorm), I asked if I could get onto the earlier flights out. I was told that the first one out was full, and that it didn’t look good for me on standby either, but that the second one was good, and she even got me an exit row aisle seat. The second one didn’t end up leaving until after 7pm, though (was supposed to leave at 2:30pm), and I ended up stuck in MSP anyway… but the key, as people have said, is be polite. 🙂
Anon says
March 16, 2017 at 2:51 pmI found Delta’s same day confirmed to be pretty much useless since it requires that the same fare code you purchased is available when you request the SDC.