Excellent question! This is a common point of confusion, and understanding the difference can save you time and money.
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between a Delta eCredit and an Unused Ticket.
The Short Answer
Think of it this way: an Unused Ticket is a specific reservation with a ticket number that hasn’t been flown yet. A Delta eCredit is store credit, generated when you cancel that unused ticket under a refundable fare or a waiver, or when a non-refundable ticket is canceled and turned into credit.
Delta eCredit (Electronic Credit)
- What it is: Store credit issued by Delta. It is not a ticket for a specific flight.
- How you get it:
- Canceling a non-refundable ticket: You cancel and choose to take the value as an eCredit (minus any change/cancel fees, unless waived).
- Canceling a refundable ticket: You can request a refund to original payment, or sometimes it’s issued as an eCredit.
- Voluntary changes/cancellations under a waiver (e.g., during severe weather or a pandemic).
- A refund for an eligible reason (like a schedule change) where you don’t want a rebooked flight.
- Key Characteristics:
- Form: A voucher code (starting with “006”) and a PIN. It’s stored in your Delta wallet if linked to your SkyMiles account.
- Value: May be less than the original ticket price due to fees.
- Usage: