How to get compensation from an airline for a delayed or canceled flight

Airlines often shirk their duties and responsibilities. Lifehacker tells how you can get more money for canceled or delayed flights.

The Biden administration announced the new rule earlier this year. It requires airlines to immediately provide passengers with automatic refunds when their flights are delayed. But often passengers do not know their rights and waste a lot of money and time.

What are your rights if your flight is delayed?

Goal new rule — make it easier for passengers to receive compensation. It is due to passengers when the airline is completely cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay baggage check-in, or do not provide purchased additional services.

On the subject: Should you wrap your suitcase in film before flying: risks and benefits

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 is DOT's Airline Customer Service Dashboard.

Press hereto view a grid of major US airlines and see 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 the U.S. Department of Transportation for assistance with an air travel problem, you must give the airline an opportunity to resolve the problem,” DOT explained.
Customer service representatives can resolve your issue on the spot. Visit FlightRights.gov for a list of passenger benefits and rights.

Know your 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 carrier.

Canceled flights

If an airline cancels your flight less than 14 days before departure, 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 carrier is obliged to rebook you on another flight at no additional cost. And if you get stuck at the airport, the airline itself will decide what bonuses to give to passengers.

Luggage problems

According to DOT, airlines are required to compensate you for any “reasonable, verifiable and actual” costs incurred due to damage or delay to your luggage.

Unfortunately, you may not be able to receive full compensation for anything that is lost or damaged in your suitcase. 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 $3800 per passenger. You should notify your airline immediately if your baggage has been damaged. You need to make sure the conversation is documented. This will allow you to file a claim with DOT if you are not properly compensated.

And if your bag is delayed, the airline is required to find it and return it to you. Most airlines promise to deliver your bag to the hotel or wherever you are staying as soon as it is found. But this is neither a requirement nor a guarantee.

Overbooking and denied boarding

Somehow, overbooking flights is not only legal, but has become commonplace.
Before forcibly removing passengers from flights, airlines must find volunteers willing to change flights in exchange for compensation. You've probably heard how airlines incentivize travelers with vouchers. However, if no one agrees to change the tickets, the airline may remove the passenger from the flight without permission.

Depending on the airline's arguments, you may be able to receive compensation if you are denied boarding. If you were removed from a flight due to overbooking, you may be entitled to compensation.

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;
• the passenger is transferred to a lower class of accommodation due to overbooking of the flight;
• charter flights that operate outside the airline's normal schedule are delayed or cancelled;
• flights on small aircraft (less than 30 passengers) are delayed or cancelled;
• international flights are delayed or cancelled.

To qualify for denied boarding compensation, you must have a confirmed flight reservation. You must check in and arrive at the gate on time. The amount of compensation will depend on the length of the delay, which is listed on the DOT website.

You have the right to request cash instead of a voucher. The likelihood that you will receive a check 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.

As a last resort, take to social media to complain publicly in the hope that the carrier will finally respond to you.