It probably all depends on how the customer treated Delta - if I;m reading Chris right, the perp was a little less than a sweet gentle soul. I've chgd FF tix on several airlines mid-travel and never paid a nickel (once in BZ, called CO from out in the jungle, pushed out return dates and was told of the $75 chg fee. Didn't make any waves. Just went to Goldson on day of dept, smiled, chatted amiably, asked how full the flight was, mentioned how sad it was to be leaving again and guess what - no change fee AND a 1st class upgrade through to BOS) - kindness & compliments go a long way.