Yesterday we posted that Delta had updated their terms to include the following:
Award Travel Ticketing Restrictions
Award Tickets that do not originate or end in the United States or Canada have a three-day advance purchase requirement. This includes routes like Paris (CDG) connecting through New York City (JFK) to Sao Paulo (GRU), or Shanghai (PVG) to/from Tokyo (NRT). No Exceptions. The advanced purchase applies to all Award bookings in the affected markets.
Delta is claiming that this was an error and it wasn’t meant to be added. I’m not exactly sure how something like this is added in error. I think what Delta really meant was “we didn’t think about the potential repercussions of adding this rule. We were kind of hoping nobody noticed, since you did notice and caused a big fuss about it we will be removing it’. If this was a mistake, I’d like to know what Delta’s processes are for updating important content on their site and how somebody could update a carefully word policy change like this without authorization.
There are still strict rules in place for certain countries, the fine print now reads:
 Award Tickets purchased for travel within or originating in China, Russia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brazil and any country in Africa require a 72-hour advance purchase. Members desiring travel within or originating in these markets within 72 hours must go to the airport to purchase their ticket, including reissues. No Exceptions. The advanced purchase applies to all Award bookings in the affected markets.
That language has been there since February, but at least there is a work around with the ability to purchase tickets at an airport. Unfortunately we’ve heard from readers that have tried to purchase these tickets via the airport and agents have been clueless and unable to book them (please share your own experiences in the comments below). The aim of these policies is to reduce fraud. I think this is a prime example of why we as a hobby should create as much noise and negative press as we possibly can when these airlines and hotel loyalty chains add negative policies. If we cause enough havoc, they do change their policies.
Hat tip to View From The Wing.
good news