You’re at your gate, ready to board your Alaska Airlines flight to somewhere south and, most importantly, warm.

But the departure time keeps getting pushed back, and all you can think about is how you’re going to miss your important meeting with a margarita by the pool.

In several common circumstances, you’re entitled to compensation if your Alaska Airlines flight is delayed. Compensation might look like bonus miles, vouchers, and free accommodations.

What Alaska Airlines Owes You for a Delay

Passengers who experience significant, controllable delays on an Alaska Airlines flight are entitled to several services. 

• A significant delay is 3 hours or more for domestic flights and 6 hours or more for international flights.
• A controllable delay includes things within the airline’s control, such as maintenance issues, baggage loading, or crew problems. 

Note that Alaska Airlines does not offer cash compensation for any flight delays. In fact, no domestic airlines have committed to this. 

However, here is what they do offer:

Rebooking

According to their contract of carriage (the legal binding agreement made between the airline and its passengers), Alaska Airlines will rebook you at no additional cost on another flight. 

If they can’t get you on an Alaska flight, they’ve committed to rebooking you on a partner airline to get you on your way. 

Discount code or miles for future travel

If you’re delayed for 3 or more hours, you can choose between a discount code of at least $50 to be used within the next year for future travel or at least 2,000 Mileage Plan™ miles. (Note: Mileage Plan has been rebranded to Atmos™ Rewards, but the Alaska Airlines contract of carriage still refers to Mileage Plan miles as compensation.)

These won’t expire as long as your Atmos Rewards/Mileage Plan account remains active. (You don’t have to be a credit card holder to be in this frequent flier program.)

This piece of their guarantee essentially compensates you for the inconvenience of the delay.

Meal vouchers

If the delay is 3 hours or longer, Alaska will provide you with meal vouchers or cash, which can be used at establishments inside the airport or outside, if your delay is lengthy enough for you to leave the airport. 

The fine print is vague as to the exact amount, but they promise to cover a “reasonable meal” for you and your family. 

Complimentary accommodations 

If you’re experiencing an overnight delay and you’re more than 100 miles from home, Alaska will provide complimentary hotel accommodations and ground transportation to and from the hotel.

The hotel accommodations will be booked for you by the gate agent or airline associate. If no vouchers are available at the gate, you can book your own hotel and get reimbursed for “reasonable hotel and round-trip ground transportation costs” — so save your receipts!

Unfortunately, Alaska Airlines doesn’t have a reimbursement form on its website like some other airlines, so ask the gate agent before you leave the airport or contact Alaska’s customer service.

You’ll take the hotel shuttle to and from the hotel or receive complimentary Uber rides or equivalent services, depending on the hotel and location. 

You may also receive more meal vouchers to cover breakfast in the morning. If you aren’t given additional vouchers when the hotel is booked, ask the gate agent for them!

Travel credit

If you choose not to accept any of these accommodations and essentially opt to cancel your trip, Alaska will try to give you a travel credit instead of a refund. But be careful!

For the airline, giving out travel credits is a much better deal, but for you, not so much. Think about it: They aren’t shelling out cash, and the odds of you remembering to use that travel credit with them are fairly low. 

Unless you’re certain you’re going to use it for something specific, decline the travel credit and just ask for your money back! 

Refunds

If you reject rebooking and other forms of compensation and decide not to fly at all, that’s when you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket, which will be automatically applied to you, thanks to a rule from the Biden-Harris administration. 

If you booked through a third party, contact them first about your options for changes, refunds, and cancellations.

It’s important to keep in mind that you can’t claim a refund if you accept the airline’s accommodations or rebooking offers!

Understanding Your Rights for Alaska Airlines Delay Compensation

As a passenger affected by a delay, it’s helpful to understand the relationship between the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and airline companies and your rights therein. (How’s that for legalese?!) 

Background: The U.S. Department of Transportation regulations

Technically, the DOT does not require airlines to compensate passengers affected by flight delays. 

However, the DOT does enforce the promises that airlines have made to their customers, which are specific and include amenities and services for customers experiencing controllable delays.

The DOT has created an Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard that details what each airline has committed to providing for their customers in the instance of flight delays and cancellations. 

I highly recommend you check it out and have it handy whenever you’re flying — it’s a fantastic resource!

What makes a delay

A “significant delay” for domestic flights means your flight has been delayed by 3 or more hours. For international flights, it’s 6 or more hours. 

There are two different categories of delays: controllable and uncontrollable. 

• Controllable delays include things like maintenance issues, baggage loading, or crew problems. These issues are within the airline’s control — because of that, it’s on them to correct your itinerary.
• Uncontrollable delays include weather, air traffic, or “acts of God.” The airline has no control over thunderstorms, for example, or international tensions that delay your flight. These are called “force majeure” events.

The DOT requires airlines to follow through on their specific promises to customers in the case of a controllable delay. 

If airlines fail to adhere to their own commitments, you can file a complaint with the DOT, which will hold them accountable.

Delays beyond Alaska Airlines’s control

While you are entitled to compensation from Alaska in the case of controllable delays, uncontrollable delays are a different story. 

When a flight is delayed because of weather, security concerns, or other “force majeure” events outside of Alaska Airlines's control, passengers have fewer protections. 

Alaska Airlines lists the following as examples of force majeure events:

• Weather issues
• Air traffic control problems
• Government regulations
• Security issues
• Medical emergencies

In these situations, Alaska claims they are “otherwise unable to provide the amenities…if air traffic control, a weather situation, a passenger's illness, or another ‘Force Majeure’ circumstance beyond our control occurs at any city within your flight routing.”

Essentially, the airline has made no commitment to providing complimentary accommodations, travel vouchers, or other amenities when delays are outside their control. 

So, what can you do? Truthfully, not much. 

You could proactively change your flight ahead of time if weather reports aren’t looking good, especially if the airline has already published weather warnings for airports you’ll be flying in or out of. 

But outside of that, airlines are not legally obligated to provide services to you if a delay is out of their control. 

Cancellation compensation

What if your flight is completely canceled (for any reason) and the airline can't rebook you?

In that case, according to the Biden-Harris administration’s rule, you’re entitled to a full refund “of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used.”

Tips: What to Do When Your Alaska Flight Is Delayed

Don’t panic! Delays happen, so if you stay cool and remember your rights as a passenger, you’re already ahead.

Communication is key

When you book your flights, include your correct phone number and email address so the airline can reach you when there are delays or changes to your itinerary. 

Alaska Airlines says they will communicate with you accurately and in a timely manner, so keep your phone handy for those text alerts or other notifications!

Agents from the airline should be available to address your specific needs. Talk to them politely and firmly to make sure you get what you’re entitled to as a passenger. 

This is an instance where having that DOT dashboard or the Alaska Contract of Carriage handy will work in your favor. 

If you run into problems with an airline agent, show them the dashboard on your phone. Legally, they cannot deny you any of the services that are listed on the dashboard for Alaska Airlines!

Sometimes, if there’s a long line at the gate to speak with an agent, it may be faster to connect with an airline representative through the Alaska Airlines website or by calling their helpline: 1-800-252-7522. 

Alternative Compensation Options

If the airline doesn’t offer you satisfactory compensation right off the bat, the two main alternative options, in order, are travel insurance and credit card insurance.

Travel insurance coverage

If you purchased travel insurance, you might be eligible for additional compensation beyond what Alaska offers. 

Generally, travel insurance covers unanticipated expenses when you travel domestically or abroad, including travel interruptions like delayed flights.

Check your policy — many cover expenses like meals and hotels, even during weather delays.

If you don’t have a travel insurance policy, you can shop for one that suits your needs through an online broker like VisitorsCoverage.

Credit card travel protection

Many credit cards offer trip delay protection if you booked your flight with them. This includes paying the taxes and fees on flights booked with miles. 

These benefits often kick in after shorter delays than airline compensation and can cover more expenses. 

For example, if you booked your flight with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you might receive compensation of up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed 6 hours or more. 

FAQs

TL;DR: How To Get Alaska Flight Delay Compensation

Alaska Airlines has specific compensation policies for delays that occur for reasons within their control. 

For delays over 3 hours (6 hours for international travel), you could get travel credits, miles, meals, and even hotel stays. Don't be afraid to ask for what you're owed! 

Remember: These aren't just courtesies — these are commitments Alaska Airlines has made to its passengers. They have to follow through on them!

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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.