Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:35     Subject: Airline Compensation?
DC’s connecting flight home was cancelled today by American after returning from Europe. At the service desk they asked to be rerouted on another airline, but were told that because they were being rebooked within 24 hours AA wouldn’t do that. They asked for, and were given, a hotel voucher, a meal voucher, and because the hotel didn’t have a shuttle, an Uber credit. It could be worse, I suppose.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:30     Subject: Airline Compensation?
Anonymous wrote:It totally depends on the reason for the delay/cancellation. My kid and I were on the last flight home from Detroit a few months ago and they cancelled it (after hours of delays). We were rebooked for the next morning but they did not give us even a hotel voucher because they claimed it was weather related (the weather in Detroit was totally fine). I complained with the airline and did not even receive a reply.

Meanwhile, we were delayed on a flight home from Europe and were compensated $700/person. Rules are totally different there.



Edit: We were told it was weather related after being told for hours through the delay that it was a mechanical issue.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:27     Subject: Airline Compensation?
It totally depends on the reason for the delay/cancellation. My kid and I were on the last flight home from Detroit a few months ago and they cancelled it (after hours of delays). We were rebooked for the next morning but they did not give us even a hotel voucher because they claimed it was weather related (the weather in Detroit was totally fine). I complained with the airline and did not even receive a reply.

Meanwhile, we were delayed on a flight home from Europe and were compensated $700/person. Rules are totally different there.

Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 17:57     Subject: Re:Airline Compensation?
we'd had recent bad/good luck with united. one flight canceled/re-booked 24 hours later and another delayed 6 hours. Both times before we got back home, we had the "I'm sorry" email from United and link to accept $1000/$700 in travel $$ or miles.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 17:54     Subject: Airline Compensation?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Domestic flights are rebooked and sometimes a hotel/meal voucher depending on why the flight was delayed/cancelled.

If you have status they may throw some miles at you.

If you decided to NOT go on the flight they rebooked you on then you would get a refund.

You flew, you don't get a refund.



Wish I'd known this before snowcreete. I had to pay $600 to get on a flight home since American couldn't rebook me for days.

they owe you nothing if the delay is weather-related
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 16:43     Subject: Airline Compensation?
American booted us off our international flight with two days notice and zero f*cks given. Even though I was offered the option to purchase many seats on the same flight when I went to the website they refused to give us our seats back or offer an explanation. It was so bizarre. They did give us flights a day later and our original flight went off as scheduled so I have no idea what happened, I just know American does not care (even though I wish you luck with getting some compensation).
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 16:35     Subject: Airline Compensation?
Anonymous wrote:I had a similar situation recently but flying from England. I received nearly $2000 compensation. It was an easy process. But in doing so I learned that US laws are wildly less friendly to flyers than in Europe. And that if the flight hadn't originated from London I may not have gotten anything. Also the airline reps knew absolutely nothing in any airport. You have to talk to corporate. You may receive something it is worth trying because so many passengers dont try.


Yes if it was a US airline, and the flight origin was in the US, you wouldn't have been able to claim compensation. But if it was a UK or EU airline you would have. It's complicated. But yes had a friend with a cancelled Virgin Atlantic flight JFK-LHR and they each got $700 cash compensation, ended up arriving 5 hours later than planned. Filled out a simple form and got the money 4 days later.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 16:11     Subject: Airline Compensation?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You get a refund if you decide not to fly. OP accepted a rebooking so she only gets hotels and food during the delay.


False. Canceling a 7 pm flight and offering a rebooked flight the next day is considered a 'significant delay/disruption' and OP is entitled to compensation. You think an airline just gets to hold you hostage for an entire day?


If it’s weather you get nothing. If it’s not weather you get a hotel and food voucher. You must not travel often. We were delayed an entire day to Hawaii. We got a hotel and meal vouchers and were lucky to get that.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 16:08     Subject: Airline Compensation?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Domestic flights are rebooked and sometimes a hotel/meal voucher depending on why the flight was delayed/cancelled.

If you have status they may throw some miles at you.

If you decided to NOT go on the flight they rebooked you on then you would get a refund.

You flew, you don't get a refund.



Wish I'd known this before snowcreete. I had to pay $600 to get on a flight home since American couldn't rebook me for days.


How would this have helped? The only thing you would have gotten was a proportional refund (since you took the outbound flight.) Did you not get a portion of your original fare back? Did you not cancel your return ticket?