Delta Air Lines announced on Wednesday a slate of ways to help travelers affected by the infamous global IT outage that started last week. And tickets purchased on other airlines will be reimbursed (well, at least partially).
“We know many customers have incurred unplanned travel expenses, including purchasing tickets on other airlines, rental cars, train tickets and more,” Delta said in a release. “Delta will cover reasonable costs for additional categories of expenses incurred during the duration of the travel waiver (which currently applies for flights between July 19 and July 28). As before, customers who have incurred hotel, meal or ground transportation expenses while in transit during this operational disruption may also submit eligible expenses for reimbursement.”
That’s a good move on Delta’s part. (Interestingly, Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued the update hours after news broke that he left town for the Olympics in Paris.)
Plus, travelers whose flights were canceled or “significantly” delayed “may choose to cancel their travel and receive an eCredit for the unflown portion of the trip or request a refund for the unflown portion of the trip at delta.com/refund.” And if you have travel booked from July 19 through July 28 and don’t wish to fly on Delta, you can cancel your trip and request a refund for unflown legs of your trip.
Travelers with Delta flights booked within the range of July 19 through July 28 may make a one-time change to their trip. (Similar to a weather waiver). Delta will waive any fare difference, provided you rebook in the same cabin you purchased. Changes must be made by August 4. That’s also the final day for any rebooked travel to start. You can read more about the travel waiver here.
Finally, Delta said it will give customers SkyMiles or travel vouchers “in an amount based on the customer’s affected travels.”
#KeepClimbing?
It’s good that Delta is finally allowing customers to book tickets on other airlines and get reimbursed. I’m sure it’s too little and too late for some people, and who knows how heavy-handed they’ll be with the term “reasonable.” But at least it’s something. It’s also probably a relief for those traveling with Delta between now and Sunday.
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