Travelers who book multi‑city or multi‑leg itineraries (e.g. A → B → C → D) often wonder what happens if they use only some segments and not others, or if they cancel a mid‑itinerary leg. The good news: under certain conditions, Delta does offer partial refunds or residual value for unused portions of an otherwise refund‑eligible ticket. But the process can be nuanced, depending on fare rules, usage, and how the ticket was issued. Below is a comprehensive guide to how to request and receive a partial refund on a multi‑city Delta ticket, step by step, including tips, caveats, and what to expect. Call [☎+1 (888) 263-37-15] when you're ready to begin.
Before you start the refund process, you need to know what Delta’s policies allow. Here are the key rules:
Delta’s Refund, Exchange and Void Guidelines state that wholly unused or partially used refundable tickets may be refunded (or residual value returned) within one (1) year from date of issue. Delta Professional+1
If a ticket is nonrefundable, Delta does not refund fare value, but may issue eCredit or residual value (if allowed by fare rules). Delta Professional+2Delta Professional+2
Taxes, fees, and surcharges may also be refundable or nonrefundable depending on route and local laws. Delta Professional
If you use some legs of your multi‑city ticket, the unused legs may still hold value — for refundable tickets, your refund will be calculated by subtracting the value of used segments from the total. Delta Professional+1
Travel agencies issuing the ticket (or Delta) may need to compute the residual value and issue a refund or credit. Delta Professional
Some tickets mix refundable and nonrefundable legs. In that case, Delta states it will refund the refundable portion (and associated taxes) but not the nonrefundable portion. Delta Professional+1
For international journeys combining refundable and nonrefundable segments, the refund request must be submitted for consideration. Delta Professional
Refund requests, especially for partially used tickets, must generally fall within the ticket’s validity window (typically up to one year from issue for refundable tickets). Delta Professional+1
The refund must be processed to the original form of payment (for refundable tickets) or via the method specified by fare rules. Delta Professional+1
Knowing these policy basics helps you know if your ticket has eligibility for a partial refund — that is, whether your ticket is refundable and whether there is residual value on unused legs.
To get a partial refund, you’ll need to calculate (or have Delta/agency calculate) the residual value of the unused leg(s). Here’s how:
List your itinerary and mark which segments you’ve flown (used) and which you did not or intend not to fly.
Your ticket’s Fare Details or fare breakdown (in the confirmation or “fare rules” section) may show how much each leg is priced. On some tickets, it will list the individual leg fares or base fare portions. As one traveler noted on Reddit:
“Refund would be based on the price of the return ticket as set forth in OP’s Fare Details … amount available for refund equals total fare minus fare, taxes, fees for used portion.” Reddit
This means that your refund may equal the “residual” or “unused fare value” after subtracting what was used.
Even if the unused leg has value, the fare rules must permit refunds of unused portions. If the fare is nonrefundable, you may not get any cash refund, only credits or maybe nothing.
If you’re unsure, the travel agency (or Delta itself if it issued the ticket) can compute the residual value for you, following Delta’s refund guidelines. Delta Professional
Once you have a number (or estimate), you’ll use that in your refund request.
Here’s a stepwise process for submitting a partial refund request for multi‑city tickets.
Full itinerary (multi-city ticket)
Ticket number (13 digits)
Booking reference / PNR
Fare rules / fare breakdown (if available)
Proof of what legs you used / did not use
Payment method used
Any correspondence (emails, Delta receipts, etc.)
If your ticket was booked via a travel agency, that agency may be responsible for the refund or residual processing. Delta Professional+1
If booked directly with Delta, you can submit via Delta’s refund / change / cancel tools (e.g. “My Trips”) or via Delta Passenger Refunds process.
If using Delta tools: go to “My Trips” → Refund / Cancel for your ticket.
For fully or partially unused refundable tickets, select refund option.
For partial refunds, you may need to include a note: “Request partial refund for unused leg(s)” and attach documentation.
Alternatively, contact Delta’s Passenger Refunds Department by phone or mail.
In the refund request, state: you have a multi‑city ticket, you used part, and are requesting refund of the unused portion per fare rules.
After submitting the formal request, follow up by phone. Use the number [☎+1 (888) 263-37-15] to contact Delta or the relevant refund desk. Be ready to quote your ticket number, itinerary, and refund request details.
If needed, politely escalate to a supervisor or refund specialist, requesting they review partial refund eligibility for unused segments.
Delta states that eligible refunds (for refundable tickets) are typically processed within 7 business days (for credit card purchases) and up to 20 days for checks or cash. Delta Content+2Delta+2
Check your bank/credit card statement or refund status tool on Delta.
If the partial refund amount seems incorrect, you can dispute it or ask Delta to re-evaluate.
Here are common real‑world scenarios and how partial refunds apply.
You fly segments A → B → C, but cancel the last leg C → D. Because your fare is refundable, you can request a refund of the unused leg C → D’s value, minus the used leg value.
Your ticket’s first two legs are refundable, the third leg is nonrefundable. You may get a refund only on the refundable legs; the third leg likely yields no cash but possibly residual eCredit or zero value.
If your ticket is wholly nonrefundable, you typically can’t get a cash refund for any part. Some residual or eCredit might be possible if rules or exceptions allow.
If Delta cancels or changes your schedule severely, some of your unused portions may be refundable even if your ticket is nonrefundable, depending on policies or irregular operations rules. Delta+1
One Reddit user described that Rule 22.B.2.ii in Delta’s Contract of Carriage defines how refunds are calculated for partially used tickets. Reddit
Check fare rules at time of booking — whether it is refundable or nonrefundable, and whether residual breakouts are allowed.
Do not skip legs deliberately — in some cases, skipping a leg can void later segments and eliminate refund eligibility.
Mixing eCredit and cash in payment — if you partially paid with Delta eCredits, refunding the cash portion might be complicated (some customers report getting full eCredit instead). Reddit+1
Be explicit in your refund request — clearly request the unused portion refund and attach documentation.
Track your refund timeline — if refund is delayed, follow up persistently.
If traveling internationally, local laws may affect tax refund — some taxes or fees are refundable by law.
Use the proper channel (agency vs direct) — if your ticket was booked via travel agency, they may need to process or forward the refund.
Time: For refundable tickets, Delta processes refunds typically in up to 7 business days for credit card payments, and up to 20 days for cash/check payments. Delta+2NerdWallet+2
Amount: You should receive the residual (unused leg) fare value less any applicable fees or deductions, plus refundable taxes/fees.
Denials: Requests can be denied if your fare is nonrefundable, if the legs used void eligibility (e.g. skipping segments), or if your documentation is insufficient.
Appeal / Escalation: If your refund is rejected, you can contest via Delta customer relations, referencing fare rules or Delta’s refund policies.
Subject: Partial Refund Request – Multi‑City Ticket (Unused Segment)
Dear Delta Passenger Refunds Team,
I hold a multi‑city Delta ticket, reservation PNR ABC123, ticket number 001‑2345678901, with itinerary A → B → C → D. I used only segments A → B → C, and did not take the final segment C → D. My fare class is refundable (or allows residual value).
I hereby request a partial refund for the unused segment C → D, per fare rules and Delta’s residual‑value policy. Attached are my itinerary, fare breakdown, and proof of used legs.
Please process the refund to my original form of payment. You may contact me if further details are needed at [☎+1 (888) 263-37-15]. I appreciate your prompt attention to this.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Use that template when submitting by email, via Delta’s refund portal, or to your travel agency.
Q: Can I get a partial refund on a multi‑city ticket if one leg is unused?
A: Yes — if your fare is refundable (or permits residual refunds), Delta may refund the unused portion (residual value) once you request it via refund claim.
Q: Does a nonrefundable multi‑city ticket ever get partial cash refund?
A: Usually not. Nonrefundable fares typically don’t allow cash refunds. You may be eligible for eCredit or residual value only if fare rules or irregular operations allow.
Q: How long does a partial refund take?
A: For refundable fares, Delta usually issues refunds within 7 business days for credit card payments; up to 20 days if paid by cash/check.
Q: What if part of the itinerary was canceled by Delta?
A: If Delta cancels or significantly changes part of your route, you may qualify for refund of the unused segment, even if your ticket is partially nonrefundable.
Q: Do I need to contact the travel agency or Delta directly?
A: If booked through a travel agent, the agent might process the refund. Otherwise, you can file directly through Delta’s refund department.
Q: What documentation must I submit?
A: You’ll need your full itinerary, ticket number, proof of used vs. unused segments, fare rules, and payment method details.