Where do I find information on what a passengers recourse is after a flight delay? Seems in the back recesses of my mind, there is some time period of a delay before the airline will be required to give flight credit. Or am I just dreaming that up? Over 4 hours for credit? Current flight delay due to mechanica.
How long was the delay?
What airline?
From what city?
European airlines or flights leaving the EU have some specific regulations regarding this. You don't say where you are flying from or what airline you are on.
In the US, it is up to the airline to decide if it wants to give flight credit, frequent flyer miles, etc as a service recovery effort. If you feel that you are due some sort of compensation. contact the customer service center for the airline and inquire. I think brief, factual reports that stick to the main concerns seem to work better.
I hope you make it to your destination ok.
Delayed out of JFK to Barcelona. So far it has been 4 hours. :(
American Airlines
Wow, that Nutri-Grain bar is going to go a long way towards customer satisfaction... : (
We had a Delta flight cancelled last year (Amsterdam-to-Seattle) while we were in Rome. We eventually made it home and after the fact, they gave us extra frequent flyer miles.
If everyone wrote their elected representatives (US House & Senate) when they were treated to a delay or cancellation by an airline, things would change. How come an airline can change or cancel a flight you purchased but they get away with keeping your money if you have to cancel or change your plans?
Coincidentally, Theresa recently posted this report: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/claims-against-airlines-for-delayed-cancelled-flights.
Jean, I am going to follow up with a letter seeking air miles for the inconvenience, frustration and the fact that half my first day in Barcelona was awash. It isn't bringing me down though. Just enjoyed a fabulous tapas dinner and earlier toured the Palau da Musica.
Wonderful travels to all.
Linda
I think the airline's position is, we don't promise when or how we'll get you there, but we will get you there. So a bus instead of a plane fits this definition, and one day after your schedule departure is the same thing to them.
Occasionally things go wrong.
I was delayed, along with about 15 other people overnight due to a customs issue in Costa Rica a couple of years back. American gave me an awesome hotel room at a nearby Marriott with a resort-style pool and hot tub. The gate agent also handed me $60 in meal coupons to use at the airport or hotel. The other people were being jerks, so they each only got the mandatory 2 x $10 meal coupons. I wrote an email afterwards complementing the ground crew and expressing my disappointment that the airline couldn't work better with Costa Rican officials to let us fly. They emailed back thanking me for my feedback and credited me $250 for another AA flight.