u/doggo_the_catto

I originally booked my flight from San Antonio to Des Moines so that I can attend my medical school graduation along with all the celebratory events scheduled and award ceremony that were planned on Thursday afternoon (I was a recipient of one of the awards). I planned on arriving to Des Moines Wednesday (5/25) afternoon. Original flight was to leave at 6:30am to Minneapolis (DL2717) with a layover in Minneapolis before taking off again at 12:55pm to Des Moines (DL5490), with an arrival time of early afternoon, unfortunately, I was notified that the flight changed at 10:50pm on 05.24.26 (I was asleep by then)  that  DL2717 would leave at 8:15 am, meanwhile DL5490 (connecting flight) would leave at 11:10am, giving me an impossible time to make the layover of 8 minutes (as Deltas policy also states that gates close 15 minutes before departure). I called 5/25 early in the morning to find another solution and the best solution that was brought up was a flight that left for Atlanta at 10:00am (DL1073) followed by a flight to Laguardia at 2:30 pm (DL0524) followed by the flight to Des Moines at 5:30pm (DL4904). Unfortunately, DL0524 didn’t leave until 3:15 pm due to “deep cleaning” and arrived at LaGuardia around 5:40-5:45pm. Despite DL4904 leaving late at 5:59pm, I was unable to make that connecting flight, leaving me stranded in an airport without any flights from Delta. My mother frantically called Delta support (I have to say, the member service representative was extremely polite, courteous, and compassionate.  She then advised my mother (who was crying and anxious) that the best option was to book a flight with another carrier (as Delta was unable to accommodate) …therefore, I booked with American Airlines.   American Airlines charged me $410 to fix the mistake that Delta caused.  Keep in mind that my communication with my mother was while I was 35000 feet in the sky enroute LGA, while my parents were already in Des Moines after flying SWA.  I am sure the rep thoroughly notated my account, as she escalated to a supervisor…again showing empathy toward the situation.  This was an awful disheartening experience for my immediate and extended family, as they had to continue a celebration without the person that had accomplished the medical degree. 
I still had faith in Delta, hoping that Wednesday’s issue was isolated, I then received a message from Delta regarding my return flight at an early enough time to react stating that my Atlanta flight that left 5/30 at 11:55am  (DL1704) was cancelled and I would be rebooked to fly to Minneapolis at 4:21pm (DL4913) to make my connecting flight to San Antonio at 6:26pm (DL2773) giving me a layover time of approximately 49 minutes. However, to avoid another disaster, my parents booked a flight with Southwest Airlines that they were taking back home for $471. I am beyond glad that they did that because when I looked at the flight status of DL4913, the flight was late by 30 minutes and landed at 6:07, giving me an impossible time to make my connecting flight with DL 2773 at 6:26pm. Again, I would have been stranded until the following day, 05.31.26.
I really want to stay loyal with Delta because compared to the other options, they have by far been the most comfortable airline I have flown. However, this is beyond unacceptable. First on 5/27, I was placed in a worse position by landing in New York city where flights were much more expensive. Secondly, I was again going to be stranded by Delta in Minneapolis 5/30. 
I have filed a couple of complaints to Delta requesting to be compensated for this undue stress to me and my elderly parents. Delta has refused to reimburse anything greater than $230 (for the return flight cancellation from DSM to SAT) rather than the entire flight that costed $460 despite Delta putting me across the country without a solution other than PURCHASING A TICKET FROM A DIFFERENT AIRLINE.  I also want what is rightfully and fairly owed to me by compensating for the two airline tickets ($880 in total) that I had to purchased last minute along with getting fully compensated on my refund request for the Delta tickets as the contract was not fulfilled and I had to fix their mistakes for them.
I called Delta customer service and they recommended me to chat online with the representative. After chatting with the rep online, the best resolution they came up with was a measly $30 travel credit, which was boosted up to a whopping $100 travel credit despite spending $880 to fix their mistake.
I understand there were some weather issues, but then I was told that there were some staffing issues…this is something that Delta need to be accountable for…I as a “valued” member shouldn’t suffer Delta’s inadequacies.
I started my residency in Philadelphia PA on 06.15.26, as you can imagine, I have NO INCOME until around 06.30.2026.  I have moving expenses that I have to incur as I will be leaving San Antonio, Texas to PA.  Starting physicians during their residency DO NOT make much income, therefore I need to be responsible for what little resources I have and should not have to be subsidizing Deltas mistakes. 
I would have greatly appreciated if Delta made this right and corrected their mistakes.  I am fully aware that mistakes happen, but when they do, we must be held accountable….at least that’s the way I face and manage my mistakes.