How Long Does Your Flight Have to Be Delayed to Receive Compensation?

Flying can be stressful between delays, cancellations, and connections.

Orlando International Airport

Traveling by plane can make getting to your destination much easier, but plane travel can also be frustrating. Flight delays and cancellations are never ideal, but travelers are now entitled to compensation. Here is what you need to know if your flight is delayed.

Under new Department of Transportation rules, it states a consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline made a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight, and the consumer chooses not to travel. DOT has not specifically defined what constitutes a “significant delay.” Whether you are entitled to a refund depends on many factors – including the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances. DOT determines whether you are entitled to a refund following a significant delay on a case-by-case basis. Below is a chart from the DOT website showing what each airline does for delays.

@USDOT

American Airlines

If your flight is significantly delayed or canceled, American Airlines will rebook you on the next AA-operated flight with available seats. If there are no flights available on American Airlines until the next day, you’ll be rebooked on a partner airline instead. Compensation beyond that depends on the cause and length of your delay.

If the delay was due to something within the airline’s control (such as a mechanical issue or a crew scheduling problem) you may request:

Meal vouchers for delays over three hours
Hotel accommodations for overnight delays
Transportation to and from the hotel
Reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses

However, if the delay is due to weather or other factors outside American Airlines’ control, travelers are not eligible for reimbursements. Regardless of the reason for your delay, American Airlines focuses on covering or reimbursing unexpected expenses incurred due to the delay and does not provide cash compensation for the inconvenience. However, AA may occasionally provide travel credits or vouchers as a measure of goodwill.

American Airlines Plane

Delta Airlines

If your flight was canceled or impacted by a significant delay or significant schedule change (departure or arrival 3 hours or more earlier or later for domestic itineraries, or 6 hours or more for international itineraries), Delta will automatically try to rebook you.

If you’re not satisfied with your rebooked flight, you can:

Search for alternative flight options in Fly Delta or My Trips, or
Cancel your rebooked flight for a refund of the unflown portion of your ticket and any pre-paid seat upgrade or Preferred Seat (and checked bag fees), or an eCredit valid for 5 years from issuance.

If Delta can’t rebook you and you take no action within 24 hours, they will automatically refund your original payment method.

©Delta

Southwest Airlines

You are eligible for a refund if your flight is significantly delayed (generally a delay of three or more hours domestically and six or more hours internationally) and you decide not to travel. Southwest asks that you cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before the new flight’s scheduled departure time in accordance with our no-show policy. If your new itinerary doesn’t work, they can rebook your flight.

If you decide not to travel and you are not eligible for a refund because the delay is not significant, you must cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before the new flight’s scheduled departure time in accordance with their no-show policy.

Southwest at Orlando International Airport

United Airlines

If your flight is canceled, delayed by more than an hour, or you missed a connection, United says they are actively looking for ways to get you back on track. United has a refund request that you may fill out. You can add up to 15 items per refund request, including your ticket, Wi-Fi, food, drinks, and more.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier customers are eligible for a refund of the airfare (including any taxes and ancillary fees) if they do not travel due to a significant schedule change or a delay of 180 minutes or more for domestic flights, or 360 minutes or more for international flights. Refunds apply only if the customer did not take a rebooked flight (in the case of a cancellation), did not travel on the delayed or rescheduled flight, or did not choose to receive a travel credit instead.

Refunds will be issued to the original form of payment either upon request or automatically after the scheduled departure date. Refunds will be processed within seven (7) business days. Customers unable to travel due to a serious communicable disease may be eligible for a transferable travel credit.