Allegiant Canceled Your Flight? Here’s How to Get Compensation

You're all packed and ready to fly across the country to see family, and even saved some money by booking with Allegiant! 

But suddenly your family time starts ticking away when you get the notification that your flight is canceled. 

I'm going to break down exactly what happens when Allegiant cancels your flight — and how you can turn a travel disaster into…well, not necessarily a win, but definitely something less than a disaster!

What Allegiant Owes You for a Cancellation 

Allegiant is a budget airline, so they don’t offer quite as many services as other airlines do. 

But when Allegiant is directly responsible for your canceled flight, they've got some serious obligations outlined in their Contract of Carriage.

Rebooking and other services

First, Allegiant will rebook you for free on their next available flight. This may be automatic, but you can also manage your booking online or see the gate agent. 

The airline will not charge you any difference in fare if you rebook to and from the same cities as the original itinerary.

While other airlines might go the extra mile and rebook you on a partner airline, Allegiant has not committed to this. 

Vouchers

Next, Allegiant will provide meal vouchers if you’re stuck waiting for the next flight for longer than 3 hours. 

The fine print is vague as to the exact amount, but this voucher should cover a reasonable meal within the airport.

If they’re unable to provide vouchers at the airport, keep your receipts, because Allegiant says they will reimburse you for a meal. 

However, their website doesn’t offer any guidance about how to submit receipts for reimbursement, so make sure to ask the gate agent and get any promises in writing.

Complimentary accommodations

If the cancellation has delayed you overnight, Allegiant will provide you with overnight accommodations, plus associated ground transportation. 

If, for some reason, Allegiant is unable to provide you with a hotel voucher, they’ve promised to reimburse you for “reasonable” accommodations that you make on your own. 

Again, their website doesn’t have a form to complete for reimbursement, so check with the gate agent about how to claim it.

Refunds

A refund is only issued if you choose not to continue with the trip and don’t accept a rebooking. In this case, you’re essentially canceling your trip and not flying. 

In this case, Allegiant says they will refund you for the unused ticket plus taxes and fees.

Understanding Your Rights When Allegiant Cancels Your Flight

Your rights to all forms of compensation don’t apply to all categories of cancellations. 

Here’s how to tell what you are entitled to.

What makes an eligible cancellation

For you to be eligible for meal vouchers, your flight must be canceled for reasons within Allegiant’s control. This includes crew delays, mechanical issues, and fueling or baggage problems.

When the cancellation is because of uncontrollable factors, Allegiant is not responsible for providing you with the same care. 

For example, you are not eligible for vouchers when your flight is canceled due to:

• Extreme weather
• Security issues
• Medical emergencies
• Air traffic control problems

However, a regulation from the Department of Transportation entitles passengers to a full refund if their flight has been canceled, regardless of the reason, if they choose not to continue their trip. 

So, if your flight was canceled for any reason and you decide not to take any alternative flights being offered, Allegiant owes you a full refund!

How the Department of Transportation fits in

Within the last few years, the Department of Transportation has improved the process for holding airlines accountable when they don’t treat customers right.

Technically, the DOT actually doesn’t have any of their own specific requirements for airlines related to customer care during travel interruptions, besides the refund regulation.

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 cancellations.

The DOT has created an Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard that details what each airline has committed to providing for 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!

If Allegiant doesn’t offer you all the services they’ve promised they will, you can file a complaint with the DOT, which will ensure you receive your compensation. 

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming Compensation

Allegiant Airlines makes vague claims on their website about compensation and refunds. So, how do you actually get what you’re entitled to when things go sideways?

Rebook like a pro

If Allegiant cancels your flight, you've got several options. 

First, log into Manage Trip on the Allegiant website. From there, you’ll be able to see if you’ve been automatically rescheduled, or you can book yourself a whole new itinerary. 

Remember: You don’t have to pay any fare difference if you rebook to/from the same cities as the original flights!

If you’ve been automatically rebooked on a flight that works for you, all you have to do is check in again and you’ll receive your new boarding pass.

From the Allegiant site, you could also cancel the rest of the flight for a full refund of the unused ticket.

Documentation is your best friend

Always, always keep your receipts. Whether it's for a hotel, meal, or ground transportation, these could be your ticket to reimbursement.

Plus, the Allegiant website doesn’t offer a clear answer about where to submit forms for reimbursement, so it’s extra important to hold onto those receipts. 

Check with the gate agent and even get it in writing how they plan to reimburse you!

Communicate with the gate agent

If you have any questions or issues with your canceled reservation, the gate agent should be able to help you. 

They’re the ones who will be supplying vouchers and booking hotel rooms for stranded passengers, so make sure they know what you need — and that you know what you’re entitled to!

Other Compensation Options

Travel insurance policies and credit card benefits can both provide compensation when your flight gets canceled — and in most cases, it’s more generous than what airlines provide.

Travel insurance

If your flight gets interrupted for any reason, your travel insurance policy can provide additional compensation, like a larger meal budget or lounge access. You’ll also receive booking support to get you back en route ASAP. 

Your accommodations and other prepaid activities are also reimbursable. So, if you ended up stuck somewhere overnight because your connection was canceled, you wouldn’t be out money for the suite and dinner reservation you booked at your destination.

READ MORE: Which Situations Are Covered by Trip Cancellation Insurance?

Credit card benefits

Lots of top credit cards come with travel insurance as a benefit. So, if you used that credit card to book the trip, you might already be covered. 

For example, if you booked your flight with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you could receive up to $500 in compensation per ticket if it takes longer than 6-12 hours for the airline to book you on a new flight.

If your trip is totally canceled (say, if bad weather or a strike means no flights are available at all and you need to forfeit the whole thing), you could get up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip to cover any prepaid, nonrefundable costs. 

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TL;DR: How To Get Allegiant Flight Cancellation Compensation

Don't let a canceled flight crush your travel dreams. If you’re stuck because Allegiant canceled your flight, they should rebook you for free. 

You may also be eligible for free meals and hotels, depending on the delay they’ve caused.

By understanding Allegiant's policies, you can turn a potential nightmare into a manageable one. Knowledge is your best travel companion!

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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.