Travel Lemonade: Delta Screwed Me Again… or Did They?

Despite being an elite member with American and United, I often pick the direct flight. Time is money, as the expression goes. More time on the ground equals more face-to-face business meetings. So… sometimes I end up on other airlines, and this time, Delta screwed me again. 

Travel lemonade is a new feature of Nonstop Points, discussing ways to turn a negative situation into a positive one. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, as the saying goes. 

Lemons: Delta Screwed Me Again

Delta Airlines was my only option for my trip from the D.C. area to Salt Lake City since it was the only one with nonstop flights. I booked a $900 economy ticket using the best card for airfare (to earn 5x on airfare) to/from Dulles Airport (IAD) because of superior timing. 

The day before my flight, Delta canceled the flight and rerouted me through JFK. Anyone in the travel world knows you avoid traveling through NYC at all costs. It was a crappy option that I wouldn’t take. I needed to think and move quickly…

Making Lemonade

I immediately called Delta to move to the direct flight out of Washington Reagan (DCA). This is the only doable nonstop flight to Salt Lake City (SLC) and my best option to make it out west.

When I finally connected with an agent, I asked for compensation since the cancelation was not weather-related. She offered a $50 voucher or 5k miles. Since the miles don’t expire, I thought that was the best option. Plus, I can often get at least 1.5 cents per point through my Delta redemptions. 

She then told me that the 5:19 DCA-SLC flight was sold out but put me on the standby list. I quickly also saw that there was a Raleigh connection leaving at 5:05 and had availability. I decided to head to DCA with those options in mind. 

Since my Dulles boarding pass couldn’t get through Reagan security, I had to wait at the counter. Again, not having status cost me 20 minutes in line. The lady said I needed to speak to a red coat (i.e., the manager). He could not confirm me on the nonstop, so he gave me a ticket through Raleigh.

After going through security, I made a quick pit stop at the Delta lounge. It was Juneteenth, so they had a lovely cake and Hershey’s Kisses. 

Sweet Summer Lemonade

Now it was decision time. Head to the Raleigh gate or go over to the Salt Lake gate? I figured it was worth one more shot, so I went to the SLC counter. It was my lucky day! For whatever reason, the lady told me that the flight had over 15 empty seats! 

I have no idea why they were holding those seats back, but she confirmed me on the flight and even gave me an exit row seat. Even better, there was no one in the middle. 

The Last Point

The bottom line, when a flight gets canceled, many people accept the option presented to them. When Delta screwed me again, I made the most of it and was able to get to my destination in time for my meetings. Always evaluate all options, and don’t settle on bad ones. Stay positive, know your options, and stay proactive.

And that is how you make lemonade out of lemons….

Nonstop Points would like to hear from you. What would you have done differently? Comment below!