There are options if you are cordial with the ticket owners, but it sounds like you are not. When a ticket is purchased in a person's name, they become the owner of any funds from a cancellation, typical with most airlines. If it was an I wanna get away + fare, and assuming they had a rapid rewards account, then these are deposited into their rapid rewards account and available to transfer to someone else. If they are not I wanna get away plus, you could purchase a new flight that is an IWG+ and it would become transferrable if cancelled. If you think you will have better luck with Delta I wish you the best. You will have to purchase a non-refundable ticket (which you could have done on SW too). Delta also has change fees so expect about $200 to just change the ticket on top of any new fare for a new flight for the ticket owner and they are also not transferrable to another person .
