Fares & Discounts

When it comes to fares and fees, we don't want there to be any unwanted surprises. Take the time to read through this section, so you know exactly what fees you can expect and even better, what fees you can avoid altogether.

Understanding Fare Types

Delta offers both refundable and non-refundable ticket options. Each category includes different levels of fare and onboard experiences to match your travel preferences and needs. Non-refundable Tickets:

  • Basic fares available
    • Delta Main Basic
    • Delta Comfort Basic
    • Delta First Basic
    • Delta Premium Select Basic
    • Basic Business
  • Classic fares available
    • Delta Main Classic
    • Delta Comfort Classic
    • Delta Premium Select Classic
    • Delta First Classic
    • Delta One Classic Refundable Tickets:
  • Extra fares available for travel departing from the U.S. or Canada
    • Delta Main Extra
    • Delta Comfort Extra
    • Delta First Extra
    • Delta One Extra
  • Refundable fares available for some markets originating from a location other than the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean (applicable to all Delta's Onboard Experience Products) Learn more about our customizable Travel Experience Options (Basic, Classic and Extra).
Delta Basic Experiences

Delta Main Basic

Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy) tickets are a value-fare option for price-driven customers. When you purchase Delta Main Basic, you typically will enjoy our lowest fare, but seats will be assigned after check-in and you will not be able to refund your ticket after the Risk-Free Cancellation period. In most cases, tickets are changeable for a fee and may be canceled before departure for a cancelation charge. Any remaining value is issued as an eCredit.

Additionally, you will not be eligible for: earning miles in the SkyMiles Program or earning credit toward Medallion Status; paid or complimentary upgrades; paid or complimentary Delta Comfort; paid or complimentary Preferred Seats; or same-day confirmed or same-day standby travel changes, regardless of Medallion or other elite status.

Delta Comfort Basic

Delta Comfort Basic offers a value-fare option while enjoying a more premium onboard experience, with more legroom and other perks. With Delta Comfort Basic, seats will be assigned to you after check-in and you will not be able to refund your ticket after the Risk-Free Cancellation period. In most cases, tickets are changeable for a fee and may be canceled before departure for a cancelation charge. Any remaining value is issued as an eCredit. 

Delta Comfort Basic customers are eligible earning miles* in the SkyMiles Program (2 miles per $1) and earn credit toward Medallion Status. However, you will not be eligible for: same day confirmed or same-day standby travel changes, regardless of Medallion or other elite status.

*Ticket price eligible to earn miles includes base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, but excludes government-imposed taxes and fees.

Delta First Basic  

Delta First Basic offers a value-fare option while enjoying a more premium onboard experience, like spacious seats and thoughtful onboard service. When you purchase Delta First Basic, seats will be assigned after check-in and you will not be able to refund your ticket after the Risk-Free Cancellation period. In most cases, tickets are changeable for a fee and may be canceled before departure for a cancelation charge. Any remaining value is issued as an eCredit. 

Delta First Basic customers are eligible to earn miles* in the SkyMiles Program (2 miles per $1*) and earn credit toward Medallion Status. However, you will not be eligible for: same day confirmed or same-day standby travel changes, regardless of Medallion or other elite status.

*Ticket price eligible to earn miles includes base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, but excludes government-imposed taxes and fees. 

Delta Premium Select

Delta Premium Select Basic offers a value-fare option while enjoying a more premium onboard experience, like spacious seats and elevated dining service. When you purchase Delta Premium Select Basic, seats will be assigned after check-in and you will not be able to refund your ticket after the Risk-Free Cancellation period. In most cases, tickets are changeable for a fee and may be canceled before departure for a cancelation charge. Any remaining value is issued as an eCredit.  Delta Premium Select Basic customers are eligible to earn miles in the SkyMiles Program (2 miles per $1*) and earn credit toward Medallion Status. However, you will not be eligible for: same day confirmed or same-day standby travel changes, regardless of Medallion or other elite status. *Ticket price eligible to earn miles includes base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, but excludes government-imposed taxes and fees. 

Delta Basic Business

Delta Basic Business offers a value-fare option while enjoying the most premium onboard experience with lie-flat seats, luxury amenities, chef-curated meals and more. When you purchase Basic Business, seats will be assigned after check-in and you will not be able to refund your ticket after the Risk-Free Cancellation period. In most cases, tickets are changeable for a fee and may be canceled before departure for a cancelation charge. Any remaining value is issued as an eCredit. Delta Basic Business customers are eligible to earn miles*in the SkyMiles Program (2 miles per $1*) and earn credit toward Medallion Status. However, you will not be eligible for: same day confirmed or same-day standby travel changes. Complimentary lounge access is not included for travel on/after Jan 19, 2027, regardless of Medallion or other elite status. *Ticket price eligible to earn miles includes base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, but excludes government-imposed taxes and fees.

Advance Seat Selection

Complimentary advance seat selection is not available for Delta Basic experiences. Seat assignments will be auto-assigned for Delta Basic experiences no earlier than check in. In some cases, you may be able to select your seat in advance for a fee.

Child Fares

Delta does not offer discounted-infant or -child fares for travel within the U.S. Learn more about child ticketing needs.

Discounts Not Offered on delta.com

Certain discounts or companion fares may apply to a selected itinerary but are not available at delta.com.

Taxes, Fees & Currencies

The Taxes & Carrier-Imposed Fees you pay are based on several elements and therefore, can vary widely. The airports you are leaving from and arrive at, and the country those airports are in, all affect your taxes and fees. Fares for travel originating in most of the world’s major industrialized countries are filed and quoted in the primary currency of those countries and in U.S. dollars for other countries. Eligible Pay with Miles customers can log in and choose to have fares quoted in U.S. dollars, regardless of the travel origin country. Tickets purchased on delta.com will be reported to your credit/debit card-issuer as sales made in the country from which travel originates. For example, if you buy a ticket from Paris to New York, the transaction will be reported as a purchase made in France in Euros. In this example, if your credit/debit card billing address country is not France, your card issuer may assess a foreign transaction and/or currency conversion fee, as described in your cardholder agreement.

To comply with laws in Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, a separate internet ticketing fee will be charged for each ticket purchased using a credit/debit card with a billing address in these countries. The charge is DKK 40 for Denmark, EUR 10 for the Netherlands and SEK 50 for Sweden.

7 Tips for Finding Low Fares

7 Tips for Finding Low Fares

  1. Let us help you. Delta's weekly email fare specials and Delta Web Fares regularly offer great deals to many exciting places. Don't miss out. Sign up for one of our Email Programs and visit Deals & Destinations often.
  2. Plan as far in advance as possible. The further in advance you plan, the better your chances are for a lower fare. Fares usually have advance purchase requirements.
  3. Try different days and times. Fares can vary day-to-day, based on demand. Fares are usually lower on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and highest on Fridays and Sundays. Flights later in the evening are also usually lower demand.
  4. Search nearby area airports. Low fares sold out at one airport, may be available at another nearby airport.
  5. Consider flying round-trip. A round-trip itinerary is usually priced less than two one-way trips.
  6. Make holiday plans early. Holidays and school vacations are generally the highest-demand travel times. To get the lowest possible fare, book early. Some people book six months in advance.
  7. Explore our flight deals often. Delta offers savings throughout the year, with Current Flight Deals updated frequently.