Refundable plane tickets-a question

If the two itineraries overlap, there is some chance that Delta (assuming both trips are
on Delta) will flag the itineraries and cancel one. It would depend to some extent on
the dates. Example, if you are leaving on date x on one itinerary and date x+1 on the
second, that is close to impossible (I assume you are talking transatlantic travel here),
and there is some chance it may be detected.

Otherwise, if one is in June and the other is in October, no worries, other than the $$
you have to lay out until you decide which one you want to keep.

Note that if Delta changes the flight schedule for either one (depending on how far out
in time you're looking, that is a definite possibility), you have options.

When you say refundable, did you pick a fare that allows refund in cash? All my tickets on Delta can be canceled but I get ecredit to be used in a new flight, not cash. But your ticket might be different.

I think as long as flights don't overlap, you should be okay. I suggest reaching out to Delta directly (maybe using their chat function) to confirm.

Delta has refundable tickets. They just cost more than the changeable tickets/

If you already have refundable tickets I would just leave them in place until you are absolutely sure of your new travel dates. Once you have solid travel dates you can then make another reservation and cancel the first one or I assume if it is still with Delta, you can just ask for date changes and use the refundable charges as credits for the next set of tickets. I am assuming that refundable tickets are eligible for date changes on Delta.

Just using common sense... The ONLY reason to buy a refundable ticket is that you're unsure if you will use it, and you're willing to pay extra for the complete freedom to change your mind at any time, AND the airline is guaranteeing you that option. According to the Delta website, 'refundable' means fully refundable back to original form of payment anytime you choose. I don't see anything about restrictions of any kind; e.g. not buying another ticket, or anything else. I don't see why buying multiple refundable tickets would be a problem or concern, whether or not the dates, places, or anything else overlap or conflict. The whole point of buying a refundable ticket is that you might use it, you might cancel it, and you are willing to pay extra for that benefit. Am I missing something...?

Am I missing something...?

I think Delta will flag if same name/Skymiles ID has two tickets on same flight, assuming second itinerary overlaps.

The ONLY reason to buy a refundable ticket is that you're unsure if you will use it, and you're willing to pay extra for the complete freedom to change your mind at any time

No, in fact, another reason to buy a refundable ticket is if you are not sure of your return date.

For example: Recently when I had to buy a next-day ticket to go from Paris to the States for a family emergency and had to pick a date for my return to Paris without having any idea whether that return date would hold. In fact, i did need to change my return date from the one I had chosen when purchasing the ticket. So it was very much worth the money to me (in this instance) to buy the refundable ticket, which then allowed me to change my return date without penalty.

(This was, indeed, on Delta. I have flown Delta transatlantic something like 12 or 13 times in the last 18 months. Most of those times, i have not paid the extra cost for the refundable fare, but I have the last two times, because changes in my dates seemed highly likely, so it was worth paying extra for the additional flexibility.)

Thanks everyone! This discussion has been really helpful as we buy refundable tickets often.
It now looks like we will be traveling on the dates of the tickets we already have, so probably won’t be buying the overlapping tickets we had considered buying.
Thanks again!

I don't see why buying multiple refundable tickets would be a problem or concern, whether or not the dates, places, or anything else overlap or conflict.

This is against Delta's contract of carriage, which you agree to when you buy a ticket.

E. Duplicate, Fictitious and impossible/illogical bookings

Delta prohibits duplicate, impossible, or fictitious bookings, including but not limited to multiple conflicting itineraries for the same passenger on the same day or bookings with connections that depart before the arrival of the inbound flight. In connection with any non-compliance with this Rule, Delta reserves the right to:

• Cancel any such booking which has not been ticketed;

• Cancel and refund any such booking which is ticketed at a refundable fare [emphasis mine] subject to and in accordance with Rules 23(A) and 23(B); or

• Cancel any such booking which is ticketed at a nonrefundable fare and provide the value of the fare for purchase of future travel with Delta

(23(A) and 23(B) specify that you will get your money back, but it doesn't prevent you from getting your ticket cancelled)

any chance that now you have certainty you could book non-refundable cheaper tickets and get a refund on the refundable ones? Or is the plane full so too risky

@Kim, any reason why you wouldn't buy changeable tickets as a opposed to refundable?

Sometimes, the sum of the one way tickets are about the same price as round trip. I see it more frequently on domestic tickets, and I've only ever checked Delta. I've done this a few times when my daughter who flies between Honolulu and Minneapolis a couple times a year. I've had to change tickets enough for her that when I book, I always check to see if I can buy two separate tickets for her round trip. I try to buy when I feel like I've found a good price, but she's not completely sure of her dates. That way if I have to change a flight, the one leg can remain at the same price, instead of paying a new higher price for the whole trip. I almost always buy her changeable tickets, not refundable, because I know I'll be able to use the ecredit within a year.

I never have purchased refundable tickets for myself, either. I tend to buy the cheaper, changeable tickets. I can always use an ecredit within the year.