Delta rolled back a prohibitive award booking restriction, leaving in place…a prohibitive award booking restriction.
As I reported earlier today, Delta unrolled a draconian new restriction on SkyMiles bookings, prohibiting all redemptions within three days of travel that does not start or end the USA.
> Read More: Legitimate Fraud Protection or SkyMiles Devaluation?
But apparently that clearly written update to redemption rules was just an innocent mistake.
The rule has been pulled back and will not be enforced.
Even so, Delta leaves a draconian award booking restriction on the books that requires in-person ticketing within 72 hours for travel originating in ~60 countries.
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.
I believe an exception should be granted for members making reservations in their own name. However, at least this rule does not lock people out of award space within three days of travel. After all, that is often when the best award space opens.
CONCLUSION
While I am pleased that Delta rolled back this restriction, the restriction still on the books is both draconian and was introduced without notice. By now, we expect that from Delta, but it is still disappointing.
Unrolled! Brilliant. I would never have thought to use it in this context. Rolled out, unveiled, yes, but unrolled is quite nice.