Delta Waiving Fare Differences On International Tickets Due To New CDC Testing Requirements [United/American Follow]

Update 1/13/21: Both United & American Airlines have adopted similar policies as predicted.

Original post: Delta has announced that it’s issuing a fare difference waiver for consumers rebooking international tickets that were purchased on or before January 12, 2021. The fare difference will be waived for customers originally scheduled to travel internationally to the U.S. through February 9 that rebook travel to begin on or before January 25. This fare difference waiver is being offered as the CDC is introducing new testing requirements that require all passengers to receive a negative COVID-19 test result within 3 days of departure for flights to the U.S. I suspect we will see similar waivers from other airlines as they come to terms with these new testing requirements from the CDC.

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Monica
Monica (@guest_1126987)
January 13, 2021 16:56

Became a huge fan of Delta for being civilized and fair during this time of uncertainty. JetBlue as well.

TB
TB (@guest_1127008)
January 13, 2021 17:31

Don’t see what they have done that the others haven’t, other than middle seat blocking. If that’s what makes you a huge fan, well…

Hadah
Hadah (@guest_1126964)
January 13, 2021 16:25

Already seeing the consequences of this. Delta just cancelled one of my flight I was planning to take in Feb. They had two flights a day leaving from that airport and now they cut it down to one(at 2am). What a start 2021.

Gooz366
Gooz366 (@guest_1126906)
January 13, 2021 15:27
Parkerthon
Parkerthon (@guest_1126797)
January 13, 2021 13:11

Feeling a little slow today… So what’s the point of this? People requesting price adjustments on fares because so many seats are opening up due to this new requirement?

Vy
Vy (@guest_1126940)
January 13, 2021 16:04

No. The fare difference waiver is specifically to help passengers rebook inbound travel to the US before pre-travel testing becomes mandatory. Doesn’t apply unless you rebook.

Jr
Jr (@guest_1126622)
January 13, 2021 08:11

Nice.

Reel Tawk
Reel Tawk (@guest_1126621)
January 13, 2021 08:10

If the pandemic could end change fees indefinitely and allow for more flexibility within the travel industry generally, it would be nice, but it still wouldn’t be worth all this mess.

thomas
thomas (@guest_1126732)
January 13, 2021 11:19

This isnt a change fee. This is no charge on difference in fare.

YoniPDX
YoniPDX (@guest_1128667)
January 15, 2021 21:58

I agree completely – I think the industry will slow further and flexibility will be king.

Basically the mandatory COVID testing can be as much as some RT Tix to MEX, Caribbean, Central America as well as the occasional EU trip. In 2019 I was seeing Delta RT to PVG for <$400 from ATL, MSP, SEA .

But $250~$550pp for RT COVID tests is going to put a real crimp in a lot of leisure travel I would guess an additional 12~40% impact.

Think we will likely take longer and fewer Int'l trips with more non-stops.