Rookie Wednesday: All the different kinds of Delta vouchers or ETVs

Welcome to a weekly feature on the Eye of the Flyer blog. Each week this series covers in a “rookie” way either a Delta or travel related theme and attempts to break down to a basic level each topic. You can read up on all the previous posts HERE. Now on to this week’s feature.

ETVs or “Delta Dollars”. E-Gifts vouchers. Choice Benefit voucher. Hotel vouchers. Food vouchers. Amenity coupons. Skyclub pass. Transportation voucher. BOGOF voucher. That is a bunch of Delta paper “money”. Let’s jump in and break these down one by one.

• ETV or electronic travel voucher. This is the one most people think about when they hear the word voucher. It is the kind you get when you “take a bump” or give up your seat when a flight is oversold. These used to be called Delta Dollars and they can come in a vast range of amounts. I cannot get Delta to confirm just how high they can go with a single voucher, but the reality is that international ones can go higher than domestic and if the rep giving out the vouchers tells you it can only go so high, right or wrong, that is how it is. In the past they were simple to combine but no more. “Officially” it is one per ticket. Unofficially many have had success spending more than one when two or more are flying that is one applied to each person. You cannot combine these vouchers with other vouchers. You do not have to spend the full amount and the rest will remain under the same ETV number for another use.

• E-Gift vouchers. There are new this year to Delta and can be as small as $50 to a MAX of $1000. Up to 3 of this type of voucher can be combined, but not with other types of vouchers. You can buy these for yourself or for anyone you want.

• Choice Benefits vouchers. These are an option a flyer who reaches Platinum or Diamond Medallion (a Diamond could pick a voucher for both medallion levels benefit). They can be combined with a maximum of two per ticket, but again not with other types of vouchers.

• Hotel Vouchers. Depending on what happens with your flight you may get a hotel voucher. At most airports you can pick from a few on a list (if you ask). Want to stay at a nicer place? You can ask if that hotel is on the list. Do keep in mind this is a negotiated very low rate so do not expect to get points or stay credits toward your hotel program when you stay on one of these. You may, sometimes, get some of your elite perks if you bring out your card when checking in.

• Food Vouchers. There are lately in the form of a “paper” visa card. That is a $5 or $8 etc. value that can be used in the airport or most times at the hotel where you are staying if you were given a hotel voucher as well. If you have more than one of these you can combine them, but note you will NOT get any change back. Anyone can spend these so you could give these away if you would want to.

• Amenity coupon. These are for use onboard. A gate agent may give you one of these or someone in the Skyclub due to some issue or because of a bump. They can be used for a drink or headset or some other snack onboard. These are also available to medallions who do not get an upgrade. These are referred to as a HOOU or Have One On Us. Anyone can spend these so you could give them away, but some have limited use dates on them.

• Skyclub pass. These can be given out by some Delta reps (if they want to or have them). You can buy a pass online but the cost is high. Depending on the pass it may or may not be possible to give them to someone else and most do have an expiration date on them.

• Transportation voucher. These are less common but depending on the flight option you may get a voucher for a bus between two airports or a taxi voucher to get home.

• BOGOF voucher or Buy One Get One Free. This is an electronic voucher from the Delta Platinum or Delta Reserve credit cards. They do have limitations as to what fare class they can be redeemed for and must be paid for with the AMEX card that the certificate was issued from. However, the card holder does NOT need to fly, that is anyone they want (two people) can fly on the certificate.

I think that just about covers all the different types of vouchers and certificates Delta offers to us as flyers. Do keep in mind, and if you have heard me speak at the Chicago Seminars, there are subtle ways to work around some of these rules. Have I missed anymore? Got questions? Ask away! – René

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