Delta's policy includes a 24-hour risk-free cancellation window for most bookings made directly through Delta. Passengers can cancel their reservations within 24 hours of booking without incurring any cancellation fees, provided the booking was made at least seven days before the flight departure.

To retain the value of your ticket as an eCredit, Delta Air Lines requires you to cancel your flight prior to the scheduled departure time. If you fail to cancel before the plane takes off (becoming a "no-show"), the ticket typically loses all remaining value, except in rare cases where local laws or specific high-flexibility fare rules apply. For most standard Main Cabin, Comfort+, and First Class tickets originating in the U.S. or Canada, there are no cancellation fees in 2026; the full amount is converted into an eCredit valid for one year. However, Basic Economy tickets are much stricter: they generally cannot be changed at all and can only be cancelled for a partial eCredit (minus a fee of $99–$199) if done before departure. Additionally, Delta still honors the "24-hour risk-free cancellation" rule, allowing a full refund to the original payment method if you cancel within 24 hours of booking.