Latest from the Delta website:

AFFECTED CITIES (TO / FROM / THROUGH): St. Maarten (SXM)

IMPACTED TRAVEL DATE(S): September 5 - December 31, 2017

TICKET MUST BE REISSUED ON OR BEFORE: October 31, 2017

REBOOKED TRAVEL MUST BEGIN NO LATER THAN: October 31, 2018

"When rescheduled travel occurs beyond October 31, 2018, the change fee will be waived. However, a difference in fare may apply. Final travel must be completed by end of ticket validity, one year from date of original issue. If travel is not able to be rescheduled within these guidelines, customers may cancel their reservation and apply any unused value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket for a period of one year from the original ticket issuance. Applicable change fee and fare difference will apply for new travel dates. Final travel must be completed by end of ticket validity."

Ed and I had non-refundable tickets for SXM for this November 2017. Ed had used reward miles for his and I had paid in monetary credit card for mine. I spoke to a Delta agent last night about cancellation: she immediately redeposited Ed's reward miles back into his account and refunded the cash he used to pay the taxes back onto our credit card. As my ticket was non-refundable, she told me they couldn't refund my money, but could deposit the amount I paid into my Delta account and I could use them within a year FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE, which was June 9, 2017. IOW, travel had to commence by June 9, 2018. Ed and I are going on an Alaskan cruise next June 16 out of Seattle. I asked the rep whether I could use my ticket for that trip. At first, she again said I had to begin travel by June 9 (only a week earlier). <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> I POLITELY asked her if she would mind speaking with a supervisor and seeing if they would extend that date for me for one more week, so I could travel on June 15. She had me on hold for approximately 15 minutes (it felt like an hour!), and came back on twice to tell me they were 'working on it'. She finally came on and said that I could use the money to travel one week later. Whew! She was very nice and very empathetic. I don't like airlines, but I do believe most are trying to be understanding and helpful during this ordeal. I hope this helps someone else. Remember, as Pat said, you do catch more flies with honey. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Unsolicited email from Delta arrived today saying we can change our flights free of charge if we choose not to go to SXM in late November.

Delta refunded our money with a 5 minute phone call a few days ago.
They were very nice and he almost laughed when I told them it was appreciated. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

We had booked through a travel agent- Delta air & hotel. All was refunded, INCLUDING the insurance we had purchased! (which the travel agent said we wouldn't get back & hadn't even asked for!)