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Flight delays and cancellations are frustrating enough on their own, but they can also get expensive fast.
I ran into this firsthand on a direct Volotea flight from Athens to Palermo. What started as a one-hour delay stretched to nearly four before we finally took off, throwing off my plans to meet an AwardWallet teammate for a week of sun and pasta.
The upside? Because the flight was within the European Union, I was eligible for compensation under EU passenger rights rules — something many U.S. travelers may not be aware of.
Those protections can make a big difference, but they vary widely depending on where you’re flying and what went wrong. Your right to airline compensation depends on the airline you fly, your departure and destination, and whether you are flying domestically or internationally. In light of the different rules for each country and carrier, we’ve grouped them by region and flight type.
Here’s what to know about your rights, and what you may be owed, when your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked.
Related: How I Leveraged a $58 Basic Economy Flight Into 40,000 Miles in Compensation
Claiming Compensation on U.S. Domestic Carriers and Flights
Passengers in the U.S. have no blanket protection against delayed or canceled flights like their counterparts in Europe. The U.S. Department of Transportation regulations state:
“Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers waiting at the airport; there are no federal requirements.”
“Contrary to popular belief, for domestic itineraries, airlines are not required to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled.”
That said, you can ask airline agents for help with food, transportation, and accommodation, but it's at the airline's discretion. To learn more, you can check out our post on requesting compensation from hotels and airlines.
DOT rules only protect passengers in the following situations:
- Tarmac delays: Aircraft cannot remain on the tarmac for more than three hours unless the pilot determines it’s unsafe to disembark passengers or air traffic control advises the plane may not return to the gate. However, the airline must provide you with adequate food and water within the first two hours of a tarmac delay.
- Involuntarily denied boarding: While the rate of involuntary bumping is down to 1/10,000 passengers on domestic flights, with 700 million domestic passengers carried last year, that adds up to tens of thousands of passengers left stranded at the gate. If you are involuntarily bumped from a domestic flight, here's what you’re entitled to:
- Less than one-hour arrival delay: No compensation
- One to two-hour arrival delay: 200% of one-way fare (but no more than $1,075)
- Over two-hour arrival delay: 400% of one-way fare (but no more than $2,150)
How To Get Compensation for Delayed International Flights From the U.S.
Like domestic itineraries, there are no federal requirements for delayed or canceled flights leaving the U.S. When it comes to tarmac delays and denied boarding, the time limits and coverage amounts are slightly different.
- Tarmac delays: Aircraft cannot remain on the tarmac for more than four hours unless the pilot determines it’s unsafe to disembark passengers, or air traffic control advises the plane may not return to the gate.
- Involuntarily denied boarding: International passengers can claim the following compensation if they get bumped from a flight due to overbooking.
- Less than one-hour arrival delay: No compensation
- One to four-hour arrival delay: 200% of one-way fare (but no more than $1,075)
- Over four-hour arrival delay: 400% of one-way fare (but no more than $2,150)
While the U.S. government isn't particularly strong on passenger protections, international flights departing the U.S. are covered by the Montreal Convention, which offers extra coverage. The Montreal Convention covers passengers flying between 143 member countries (including the U.S.) for losses or damages arising from delayed or canceled flights and lost or delayed luggage. If the only consequence of a flight delay or cancellation is that it's inconvenient, that won't be enough to enact the Montreal Convention. There must be losses from items such as pre-booked accommodation, connecting flights, car rentals, etc.
Under the Montreal Convention, compensation limits are set in Special Drawing Rights, an IMF-defined reserve asset whose value is based on a basket of major currencies. The SDR–USD rate fluctuates daily, so always check the IMF’s current valuation page. For flight delays, the current liability limit is 6,303 SDR per passenger, with actual amounts paid in your local currency using the prevailing exchange rate.
Note: The Montreal Convention applies to international carriage — including domestic legs that are part of an international itinerary — but not to purely domestic trips with no international stopover or onward international segment.
How To Get Compensation for a Delayed Flight Departing (or Within) Europe
European Union legislation (specifically EC261) covers flights between EU member countries, within member countries, departing from member countries, and flights on EU-licensed carriers flying into the EU. You may be entitled to compensation if you arrive at your final destination three or more hours late, depending on your flight distance, route, and whether the delay was caused by “extraordinary circumstances” outside the airline’s control. The affected itinerary must also fall under a single reservation.
Causes for delays or cancellations generally can’t involve extraordinary circumstances like severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, medical emergencies, or political instability.
In Europe, airlines are also required to provide care while you wait for a new flight, including:
- Refreshments
- Food
- Accommodation (if you are rebooked to travel the next day)
- Transport to your accommodation and return to the airport
- Two telephone calls, fax messages, or emails
Flight delays
Compensation for delays and involuntarily denied boarding is based on both the distance flown and the origin of the flight:
- €250 (about $270) for flights of 1,500 km or less
- €400 (about $430) for flights of 1,500-plus km within the EU and all other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km
- €600 (about $650) for flights of 3,500-plus km
If the carrier offers you rerouting and you reach your final destination with a delay of between three and four hours on a flight of more than 3,500 km, the compensation may be reduced by 50%. You can find all the relevant information on claiming compensation at Europa.eu.
Flight cancellations
Compensation for flight cancellations is even more complicated. It is based on when you are notified of the cancellation, whether the airline reroutes you to a different flight, and what time you arrive at your destination. The distances and compensation amounts remain the same, but the timing of your notification of the change and your arrival at your destination are also factored into the re-routing requirements. You won't receive compensation if you are:
- Notified more than 14 days in advance.
- Notified between two weeks and seven days before scheduled departure, and rerouting allows you to depart no more than two hours before the original departure and reach your final destination less than four hours after the originally scheduled time of arrival.
- Notified less than seven days before the scheduled departure, and rerouting allows you to depart no more than one hour before the original departure and reach your final destination less than two hours after the originally scheduled time of arrival.
Confused yet? It’s a lot to take in! If you're looking for more details, this post does a great job summarizing EU compensation rules. If you're trying to understand your rights in a specific travel situation, the Europa.eu site offers an interactive survey to guide you to the relevant information.
Regardless of where you are or where you're heading, it's never a bad idea to have a backup plan waiting in the wings. As we're probably all aware, extenuating circumstances can arise, such as bad weather or mechanical issues. So if you're traveling somewhere you can't afford to show up late, make sure you have a backup plan using points and miles that lets you cancel at the last minute if you don't need it.
Let Someone Else Handle Your Claim (For a Fee)
The different rules and regulations for each region and carrier are enough to give you a headache at the best of times. If you're having trouble wrapping your head around the legislation — or you simply don’t have enough time to go through the process — a handful of companies can help you file a claim.
One company you can use is AirHelp. Simply submit all of the details, and AirHelp will do all of the heavy lifting for you. Representatives will check whether your delay or cancellation warrants compensation, contact the airline directly on your behalf, negotiate a settlement, and, if necessary, take the airline to court.
AirHelp’s standard service fee is 35% of any compensation it recovers. If legal action is required, AirHelp charges an additional 15%, bringing the total fee to 50%. There’s no upfront fee, and if AirHelp doesn’t recover compensation, you don’t pay.
Although I decided to use AirHelp, there are many alternative services out there that can help you with your claim:
Before using any of the above services, carefully review their terms and conditions, fees, and success rates. Additionally, be aware that these services may not be necessary in every situation. And you can often pursue compensation directly with the airline by knowing your rights and relevant regulations, such as EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights within the European Union.
Related: AirHelp Can Pay You During Flight Problems
Take Advantage of the Travel Insurance Offered by Your Credit Card
If you pay for your flight (or the taxes and fees on an award ticket) with the right card, you may have access to extra trip protections. Coverage can apply if you experience delays, cancellations, or baggage issues.
Chase is a top card issuer for travel protections, with several cards offering built-in coverage. Here are a few of our favorites to use when paying for flights:
$95Rates & Fees
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on gas and EV charging
- 3X points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
$795Rates & Fees
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
$95Rates & Fees
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
Related: How To File a Flight Delay Claim With Chase
Final Thoughts
Knowing when to claim compensation from an airline is an essential part of the rewards travel puzzle. When disruptions clearly cost you time and money — and the airline is at fault — take the time to check your rights and file a claim. In the best-case scenario, you’ll turn a miserable travel day into cash in your pocket.
Page Contents
- Claiming Compensation on U.S. Domestic Carriers and Flights
- How To Get Compensation for Delayed International Flights From the U.S.
- How To Get Compensation for a Delayed Flight Departing (or Within) Europe
- Let Someone Else Handle Your Claim (For a Fee)
- Take Advantage of the Travel Insurance Offered by Your Credit Card
- Final Thoughts
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
Last year I missed the deadline for getting compensation for a trip delay and knock-on costs. Don’t be a dummy like me! Listen to AwardWallet! ?
I think its purposefully very complicated to make a claim and receive compensation. I will have to keep this in case delays occur. Id rather just have smooth travel (or choose to be bumped!)
Learn from my mistake – you & your insurance might interpret when a delay starts differently.
Our first leg was delayed by 4 hours. We therefore missed our next leg (booked as separate tickets). There were no more flights departing that day so we stayed overnight at an airport hotel and re-booked on the first flight the next day.
In our minds our trip was now delayed by > 6 hours. We arrived at our destination > 12 hours later than anticipated.
However, Citibank’s credit card travel insurance did not cover the 1 night hotel because the *initial flight* was not delayed by 6 hours.
I’ve used Airhelp, and they looked at my various reservations and emailed me that I was entitled to compensation I did not even remember having experienced the delay (upon looking back I did see it though). I sent some details and they did the rest. I think its a great service.
Excellent Tips ! This article is a big help ! Thanks!
Good information and a reminder that I need to ask for compensation from my credit card company for an earlier delay this year.
“Contrary to popular belief, for domestic itineraries, airlines are not required to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled.” Ugh isn’t this so true. I wish the US would get on board like Europe, especially with the domestic carriers dropping the ball so often as of late.
The US policy is sorely lacking compared to the EU provisions. Still, this is all good information to know. I’ll be bookmarking this post for future reference in the hopes that I never need it.
No one wants to face these situations, but as inevitably the chance is always lurking. Once it happens, this article is a big help.
Looking at the EU regulations, it looks like you are entitled to a telex if you are delayed.
I am really looking forward to my next delay to see the confusion on the agents face when I ask for my telex to be sent…. do they still exist?
I love how EU consumers are protected in theory. Yet, in real life airlines do everything in order to make claiming compensation an uphill battle. In my experience Finnair is the worst offender (not counting low-cost carriers of course, such as Ryanair).
Now THIS is a useful post!
EC 261 is such a useful tool to claim compensation! Thanks for the info!
Thanks, this is helpful.
Thanks for sharing. Just have a very bad experience on american airline. After boarding 2 hours, the captain just cancel the flight since he work overtime, and that is the last flight that night. The earliest next flight will be the coming afternoon. I have no choice but cancel the whole trip. Finally AA just give 3500 miles as reimbursement
Great information! Thanks for sharing
This is great to know and save! I agree that it’s a lot to sort through. I think that it is worth it to look at AirHelp for trips that might have delays. I don’t know if I would do it on all trips. I’ll have to really read through their web page. Plus, with trying to get back to work, etc. AirHelp would be a huge time saver. If you don’t expect anything and you do get something through them then I think it’s worth the cut.
What’s fair is fair. It’s not only a business for the airlines, but it’s our lives that matter to. I think it’s fair. I will book mark this, thank you .
Thanks for sharing. I need to bookmark this.
I was granted a complementary Freebird coverage for a flight that I booked on my Amex Business platinum. Nothing went wrong, but they sent me emails and text messages at various times during the day to let me know about the progress of my flights. It does seem like a great service and I would love for this to be a free coverage for the Business Platinum if they lose some of the other benefits.
A few years back, we were waiting to board an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Hong Kong. They asked over the PA for volunteers to be bumped to a later flight offering $800 per passenger. Tempting, but our schedule was tight so we took a pass.
This is important information. And compensation is better than nothing when having to cope with delays.
For American Airlines, the app will update you on flight delay changes quicker than gate agents.
Important and very useful info to handle with various and different types annoying travelling situations. Article to keep,
hoping not to use, but if it happens, it will be like a security manual.
Freebird (getfreebird.com) seems like a great service to utilize. Freebird books you a new ticket after a flight cancellation, significant delay, or missed connection. You don’t pay for the new ticket, only for the service. It’s like insurance, but with a rebooking element so that you aren’t just compensated, you make it to your destination. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ve read good things about it and plan to try it on my next trip.
It would have to apply to all the airlines in the world and in any country.
I have tried claiming delay compensations several times, but I got shot down all the time.
However according to this post, I was entitled to compensation…
Seems like the regulators don’t do a great job of penalizing the airlines when they don’t follow the rules. Depending on the jurisdiction for the flight, you might consider filing a complaint with the DOT or other authorities.
I’ve received compensation from the airline one time just asking (and they also provided all the adequate assistance) and two other times I had to launch the small claims procedure (and I have not received any assistance at all both times).
Great resource! Bookmarked for reference!
U.S. airlines are the worst when it comes to treating customers right for delays or canceled flight. I find more success writing a note to the airlines after the incident if no compensation was given at airport. One usually receive some miles for the inconvenience.
Nice Outline with Links to further info
No AMEX cards… sad.
Hang tight! Positive news is coming for some Amex cards starting in Jan 2020. Delay coverage coming to Platinum, Gold, and Green and the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve consumer cards. Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve to get trip cancellation.
Is there an official announcement?
Found this https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/trip-cancellation-terms.html
Thanks for the tips! I am always confused on how to claim this.
This is great information, thanks.
This is a game changer. I’ve experienced this before and there is nothing that makes you feel more helpless. This is empowering. Good idea.
Thanks for sharing this. It is good to know that if I ever get involuntarily bumped there is some compensation available!
Thanks for sharing this. It is good to know that if I ever get involuntarily bumped there is some compensation available!
In the case of voluntary boarding denial, you could get airline vouchers in huge amounts in North America. Such phenomenon is totally uncommon in Asia and Europe.
Yes, I was rather surprised when I encountered voluntary boarding denials outside North America that were not meaningfully incentivized.
Interesting article.
My question is when there is one e-ticket and two flights with two different airlines.
First flight with some delay (let’s say 30 minutes, so not a lot) which makes you lost the connection with the second flight and so you will be protected on anotther flight and you arrive with several hours of delay.
You have right to a compensation (theoretically yes)?
If yes, who should pay: first airline, second airlines, who issued the e-ticked, etc.?
Separate tickets are generally not protected by credit cards or regulations. See the booking separate tickets section of this post: https://awardwallet.com/airlines/how-long-should-a-layover-be/
Actually, I mean two flights with two different airlines but only one ticket.
Yes, if you booked a single ticket, it doesn’t matter that flights are operated by more than one airline. You can probably start with the airline that issued the ticket to pursue a claim.
The CSR card saved me from bearing the expense os a so called “traffic delay” that caused my flight (ORD_SYR) to be cancelled. For the first four hours of delay the reason was “mechanical”, but it was changed to “traffic” at 11::15 p.m. All AA did for me was give me a phone number to call to get a discounted hotel booking (I had to pay).
Not sure if this circumstance qualifies for compensation (gate agent said no, as did CSR), but I am suspicious of the last minute change from “mechanical” to “traffic”. Wasn’t the root cause of the delay the original mechanical problem? And “traffic” at 11:30 p.m. sounds pretty bizarre. AA didn’t even try to book me on an AA flight that left ORD while I was waiting for my original flight.
Any advice?
If you paid with the CSR card, that will likely be far less hassle than going through AA for compensation. You should be eligible if the delay was overnight (or 6+ hrs).
I did use the CSR card to recover my meals and hotel. But wouldn’t AA have to compensate me for the overnight delay with a lot more than just a room and meals?
It’s certainly worth a try.
would be nice if it was an easy process to do
Almost worth booking on a EU carrier when you fly into the EU, to trigger EU261 eligibility
Great bits of information, we used our Credit card to claim back recently and what a life saver that was.
Hope the US Airlines do a better job.
Would be nice if the US had specific compensation for delays and cancellations like the EU
Thenk you1 Great to know that! Do you know if this can be retrospectively taken?