Delta has announced its permanently eliminating award redeposit fees for all SkyMiles members on domestic flights. Previously, the airline charged a $150 redeposit fee to make any changes or to cancel an award booking, however not anymore.

This news comes weeks after Delta Eliminates Change Fees on Domestic Flights on paid tickets, so the same rules now apply for award travel including the ability to change or cancel award tickets within 72 hours.

Effective immediately, Delta is making the following permanent changes for travel within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands):

• Eliminating the $150 redeposit fee to cancel an award ticket and the $150 reissue fee to change an award ticket for all SkyMiles Members. This covers travel on all tickets, excluding Basic Economy fares.
• Allowing changes and cancelations on award tickets before departure for all SkyMiles Members, excluding Basic Economy fares. No longer will changes and cancelations made within 72 hours of departure result in the loss of miles on domestic award tickets.

Additionally, Delta is making the following changes: 

• Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members who selected Upgrade Certificates, Delta Sky Club Memberships, Delta Sky Club Guest Passes, or Delta Travel Vouchers or gave Medallion Status through Delta’s exclusive Choice Benefits for the 2020 Medallion Year will get to select new Choice Benefits starting on Feb. 1, 2021 (the start of the 2021 Medallion Year) or as they earn Medallion Status (like they normally would).
• Delta SkyMiles Gold Card Members who earn a $100 Delta flight credit will have the expiration date for that credit extended to Dec. 31, 2021.
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Card Members with unused Companion Certificates will receive an additional extension to book and travel using the Companion Certificate by Dec. 31, 2021.
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members with unused Delta Sky Club guest passes will have expiration dates for those passes extended to Dec. 31, 2021.

These extensions are for eligible Card Members with benefits issued Jan. 1 – Nov. 30, 2020.

This is fantastic news to see that Delta is eliminating award redeposit fees on domestic travel as well as removing the 72 hour restriction for changes as well.

However, one point to mention is that Platinum and Diamond Medallions used to receive award redeposits free of charge as a benefit of elite status, so it will be interesting to see how Delta can add new benefits for Platinum and Diamond Medallions.

As Delta removes more fees for all SkyMiles members, Medallion status might not be as valuable as it once was, unless Delta can step it up with some new perks.

What are your thoughts about Delta eliminating award redeposit fees on domestic travel? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.