How to Use a Delta eCredit

If you've canceled a trip, you can book a new flight normally and pay with your Delta flight credit.

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Updated · 6 min read
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Written by Anya Kartashova
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Nerdy takeaways
  • Delta eCredits usually expire after one year from date of purchase (not from the date of the original flight).

  • Delta has extended the expiration for eCredits during the pandemic through Dec. 31, 2023.

  • You can use your Delta flight credit by logging into your account and accessing them there, or by purchasing a flight and choosing to use them for payment.

Nerdy takeaways
  • Delta eCredits usually expire after one year from date of purchase (not from the date of the original flight).

  • Delta has extended the expiration for eCredits during the pandemic through Dec. 31, 2023.

  • You can use your Delta flight credit by logging into your account and accessing them there, or by purchasing a flight and choosing to use them for payment.

If you booked travel during the pandemic, it's more likely than not that you canceled those plans. Many airlines, including Delta Air Lines, revamped their cancellation policies and made it easier to rebook a future trip without losing money.

However, these cancellations do not result in a cash refund, but rather an “eCredit” toward future travel. Here’s what you need to know about these credits.

What you need to know about Delta eCredits

Delta eCredits are issued to those who booked a Delta flight and had to cancel it for one reason or another.

In the past, voluntarily canceling a Delta flight meant having to pay a cancellation fee of at least $200. Now, the full value of a canceled trip is available for use without any fees.

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Delta eCredit rules and expirations

Do Delta eCredits expire? Yes. A Delta flight credit is valid until the original ticket expires. Usually, tickets are valid for one year from the date of purchase.

You can make changes, cancel your flight and complete new bookings online or over the phone. If you’re positive you want to cancel your flight, but can’t decide when you want to travel again, it’s best to make a cancellation first and rebook when your new travel plans solidify.

Where to find your eCredits

To locate your unused travel vouchers, create a Delta SkyMiles account, then head to www.delta.com/redeem. There, you can look up certificates and eCredits by contact info, SkyMiles account info, credit card, or your certificate or eCredit number.

find delta ecredit

Enter your desired information in the field and click Look Up.

On the next page, you’ll have to validate your eCredit by entering the first and last names of the passenger. Once you click Add, the page will reload, and your voucher value will show up under Manually Entered Certificates and eCredits.

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If the reservation includes multiple passengers, you have to repeat this step for every traveler included in the booking.

Those who booked flights using their SkyMiles number shouldn’t need to hunt down their credits manually. They should already be listed under the Certificates, eCredits and Vouchers tab in the account.

Is your Delta eCredit not showing up?

If your Delta eCredit is not working, you have to call Delta customer service at 800-221-1212 to apply an unused eCredit to a new reservation. If you’re unable to locate your voucher or can’t select it when making a booking, an agent can help.

Can I use a Delta eCredit for a seat upgrade?

You can use a Delta eCredit for a seat upgrade on flights booked with cash.

Use the 'Modify Flight' tool in your SkyMiles account, select your same flight in a higher cabin and then pay the fare difference with your eCredit.

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How to use a Delta eCredit

There are two ways to redeem a Delta eCredit for a flight.

1. Via your SkyMiles account

If you log in to your SkyMiles account and go to your profile, a page with your personal details will appear. On the left side, under Profile, click on Certificates, eCredits & Vouchers.

You’ll be taken to a page with all your Delta eCredits, Unused eTickets and Companion Certificates, including their monetary values and expiration dates.

Check the box of the voucher you want to apply to your new reservation and continue to book your flight. If the new flight is more expensive than what your credit is worth, you'll have to cover the difference.

🤓Nerdy Tip

If you want to apply multiple eCredits to your ticket, keep in mind that Delta limits you to three payment methods online. You can choose up to three Delta certificates per reservation. If they don’t cover the entire cost of new airfare, pick two eCredits and use a credit card to pay for the remainder.

2. Book as normal and pay with eCredits

The second option to redeem your Delta eCredit is by making a booking as you normally would from the homepage. Select your flight times, confirm passenger info and click on Use eCredits when selecting a payment method. Once your active credits appear, select the one(s) you want to redeem and finish your booking.

If you pick just one or two vouchers from a list of credits, use the ones that expire the earliest, even if they’re in a smaller amount. You don’t want them to expire before you get another chance to redeem them.

Remember that you must be signed into SkyMiles for the credits associated with your account to be available for use.

Delta credit cards that earn SkyMiles

If your Delta eCredit isn't sufficient to cover your entire flight, use a Delta card to pay for the remaining balance so you earn Delta miles on the portion that you pay for using the card.

Here's a selection of Delta credit cards, along with their perks.

Delta cards
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
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Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
Annual fee

$0.

$0 intro for the first year, then $150 .

$350.

$650.

Earning rates

• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.

• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on hotel purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.

• 1 mile per $1 on other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

Other benefits

• No foreign transaction fees.

Terms apply.

• First checked bag free.

• Priority boarding.

• No foreign transaction fees.

Terms apply.

• Companion certificate (main cabin).

• First checked bag free.

• Priority boarding.

• No foreign transaction fees.

Terms apply.

• Airport lounge access.

• Companion certificate ((first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin).

• Credit for application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

• First checked bag free.

• Priority boarding.

• No foreign transaction fees.

Terms apply.

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Can a Delta eCredit be used for someone else?

Any eCredit refund issued to a specific passenger must be used to book new travel for the same passenger. It can’t be used for someone else.

Unfortunately, this means you can’t use travel credits from a family or group trip for yourself or another group. You can book tickets to another destination, of course, but the individuals named on the original flight must be on the new flight.

So the answer to "Are Delta eCredits transferable?" is no.

If you want to use Delta eCredits

Thanks to a flyer-friendly policy announced during the pandemic, Delta passengers have a generous window to rebook their canceled flights through the new eCredit refund system. Although it requires a bit of legwork to locate all your unused Delta credits, the ability to put the money you already paid the airline toward a new ticket will be worth it.

Make sure to keep a good record of all your canceled trips so you don’t lose any eCredits in the shuffle before they expire. And remember, you can’t use eCredits to book travel for someone who was not on the original ticket.


To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, see this page.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Cards for Delta from our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000 Points + $300 Travel Credit

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
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