Delta extends all tickets and vouchers through 2023 in an industry-leading move

Delta Air Lines is giving travelers even more time to use new and existing flight credits.

The Atlanta-based carrier is extending all ticket validity through Dec. 31, 2023, as announced on Wednesday. Previously, the airline had extended expiring credits through the end of 2022, so this move gives all existing eCredit holders an additional year to rebook tickets. All rebooked travel must be completed by the end of 2024.

Additionally, all newly issued credits and vouchers for canceled flights will be valid through Dec. 31, 2023.

To summarize, that means:

• All tickets expiring in 2022 will now expire on Dec. 31, 2023
• All tickets purchased in 2022 will now expire on Dec. 31, 2023

Delta says that "it will take us some time to update our system," but the airline is reassuring customers that all new and existing eCredits will be valid through 2023.

Separately, those who booked a Delta Vacations package will receive a one-year extension on any new or existing travel credit, with more details on these Vacations-specific extensions coming soon.

Delta's move doesn't mean you can get a refund for a canceled flight. Only flights that were canceled by Delta, as well as those with significant schedule changes, are eligible for a refund. If you voluntarily cancel a trip, the value of your ticket will be stored in an eCredit that must be used for future travel on Delta or its partners.

Delta's Chief Customer Experience Officer Allison Ausband said in a statement that "this leading extension provides more time for customers to use their travel credits, so they can book with complete confidence that Delta has their back even when moments arise out of their control."

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In fact, this latest extension is by far the most generous of all the major U.S. airlines. Flight credit with American Airlines from travel voluntarily canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic waiver can be used for travel through March 31, 2022.

Meanwhile, United recently extended the validity of eligible tickets and travel credits through Dec. 31, 2022. Tickets purchased on or after Jan. 1, 2022, have a 12-month validity from the date of purchase.

Most Southwest travel funds expire one year from the ticket was purchased, though credits set to expire between March 1, 2020, and Sept. 7, 2020, previously qualified for an extension to Sept. 7, 2022.

It's possible that Delta's competitors may feel the pressure to match the industry-leading move, but either way, the update is sure to be welcome news for loyal Delta flyers.

In late 2020, Delta permanently removed change fees for all tickets originating in North America, except for those booked in the deep-discount basic economy cabin. Those tickets remain non-changeable and non-refundable.

When you're ready to rebook a non-basic economy Delta flight, you can expect to pay an applicable fare difference, without the pesky $200 (or more) change fee that would've been levied pre-pandemic.