Everything You’re Entitled to If Your Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled.

It’s been an exceptionally tough week for air travel. As the problems caused by last week’s global technology outage carry into this week, it appears that on-time flights are becoming increasingly rare. Delta canceled so many flights that it prompted the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch an investigation , citing a “high volume of consumer complaints.”

Obviously, you want to be prepared to fight for what you’re entitled to when the airline, for lack of a better word, completely screws you over. Here’s how to always get the most money for your canceled or delayed flight.

What are you entitled to if your flight is delayed?

Earlier this year, the Biden-Harris administration announced a new rule that would require airlines to immediately provide automatic refunds to passengers if they owe money. The purpose of this rule is to make it easier for passengers to receive a refund when airlines completely cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay baggage check-in, or do not provide purchased additional services.

So while U.S. airlines are required to refund passengers if their flights are canceled entirely, the rules regarding delays are less clear. For example, “significant delay” is never officially defined by the Department of Transportation. The most useful and up-to-date resource you are entitled to is the DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard. Follow this link to see a list of major US airlines and what services they promise to provide in the event of a “controlled” flight cancellation or delay. Controlled issues include service or crew issues, cabin cleaning, baggage loading, fuel refueling and other delays caused by the airline itself.

However, DOT recommends that travelers contact their airlines before filing a complaint . “Before you contact DOT for assistance with an air travel problem, you must give the airline an opportunity to resolve the problem,” DOT explains. Customer service representatives can resolve your issue on the spot. You can also visit FlightRights.gov for a list of benefits and rights they are also eligible for.

Know your airline passenger rights

Despite the new rule requiring immediate refunds for canceled flights, federal law still does not require airlines to provide passengers with cash or other compensation when flights are delayed. This means that in most cases compensation is at the discretion of the airline.

Canceled flights

If an airline cancels your flight less than 14 days before departure and you decide to cancel your trip entirely, you are entitled to a refund of both the cost of your plane ticket and any prepaid baggage fees. This usually applies even if you have non-refundable tickets.

Delayed flights

Again, federal law does not require airlines to provide any compensation to passengers in the event of flight delays. If flights are delayed due to unpredictable events such as weather or mechanical problems, compensation is provided at the airline’s discretion. However, the airline is required to rebook you on another flight at no additional cost. And if you get stuck at the airport, the airline will decide which vouchers they offer – more on that below.

Luggage problems

There are few things more frustrating than finally arriving at your destination only to have your luggage get lost somewhere between departure and arrival. According to DOT, airlines are required to compensate you for any “reasonable, verifiable and actual” costs incurred due to damage to or delays to your luggage.

Unfortunately, you may not be able to receive a full refund for anything that is lost or damaged in your bag. There is also a limit on the amount of money the airline must pay you as compensation if your luggage is lost, damaged or delayed. The maximum liability amount allowed by DOT is $3,800 per passenger . You should notify your airline immediately if your bag was damaged and make sure the conversation is documented so you can file a claim with DOT if you are not properly compensated.

And if your bag is delayed, the airline is obligated to find and return it to you. Although most airlines promise to deliver your bag to the hotel or other location where you are staying as soon as it is found, this is neither a requirement nor a guarantee.

Overbooking and denied boarding

Somehow, overbooking flights is not only legal, but commonplace. When an airline overbooks a flight, it may voluntarily or unintentionally hit passengers. Before pushing passengers away forcibly or without permission, airlines must find willing travelers willing to take another flight in exchange for compensation. You’ve probably heard how airlines incentivize travelers with vouchers. However, if no one contacts customer service representatives to offer vouchers, the airline may inadvertently hit passengers or deny boarding. This turns into “denied boarding”.

Depending on the airline’s arguments, you may be entitled to compensation if you are denied boarding. If you are removed from your flight for reasons such as overbooking, you may be eligible for compensation for denied boarding. However, passengers are generally not entitled to compensation if they experience one of the following situations:

• Changes to the aircraft for safety or operational reasons.

• Aircraft weight or balance restrictions prevent a passenger from boarding.

• A passenger is downgraded to a lower class of accommodation due to an overbooked flight.

• Charter flights that operate outside of an airline’s normal schedule are overbooked, delayed, or cancelled.

• Flights on small aircraft (less than 30 passengers) are overbooked, delayed or cancelled.

• International flights overbooked, delayed or canceled

To qualify for denied boarding compensation, you must have a confirmed flight reservation, you must have checked in and arrive at the gate on time, and you must not be able to reach your destination within one hour of your original arrival time. flight. The amount of compensation will depend on the length of the delay, which is listed on the DOT website .

Finally: do not automatically accept this voucher.

Although some airlines may offer tickets or vouchers for those who are accidentally bumped, you have the right to request a check for cash instead. The likelihood that you will receive it depends on the circumstances leading to the cancellation, as well as the airline’s policy. However, double checking with a customer service representative may earn you a cash reward. On that note, if you really need to get in touch with a real person, here’s our guide to navigating airline phone lines .

And, as a last resort, you can take to social media to publicly complain in the hope that a representative will finally respond to you.

For more information , see our guide to airline passenger rights everyone should know.

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