You’re pretty cheerful as you head into your well-deserved vacay — you saved money by booking on a budget airline, and are spending the difference on a parasailing package when you arrive. Epic!

But as you’re waiting to board your Allegiant flight, the departure time keeps getting pushed back. Are you going to miss out on your upgraded activity?!

In several common circumstances, you're entitled to compensation if your Allegiant Air flight is delayed. 

Compensation from the airline might look like rebookings, complimentary accommodations, and meal vouchers — although your parasailing trip may unfortunately be a loss.

What Allegiant Owes You for a Delay

As a budget airline, Allegiant doesn’t have the most comprehensive set of commitments to customers in cases of delays. 

Regardless, they do provide several services when your flight is significantly delayed by a controllable event. For Allegiant, a significant delay means:

• Domestic flights delayed by 3 or more hours from the original departure time
• International flights delayed by 6 or more hours
• Departure from a different origin airport
• Arrival at a different destination airport
• More connection points than the original itinerary
• Downgrade to a lower class of service

Controllable delays include things within the airline’s control, such as maintenance issues, baggage loading, or crew problems. 

Note that Allegiant does not offer bonus miles or other forms of travel credit in the case of significant delays. This includes credit and travel vouchers, cash, and frequent flier miles. 

Delayed customers also aren’t entitled to discount codes or other forms of discounts for future travel. 

However, here is what Allegiant does offer:

Rebooking

According to their contract of carriage (the legal binding agreement made between the airline and its passengers), Allegiant says they’ll rebook you on another Allegiant flight at no extra cost. 

This is policy at every major airline, and Allegiant is no different. 

However, many other airlines go the extra mile and rebook passengers on partner airlines for free. Unfortunately, Allegiant does not offer this service. That’s part of the risk when booking with a cheaper airline!

Vouchers

If you’re stuck waiting for your Allegiant flight for more than 3 hours, you’re entitled to a meal voucher. 

The fine print is vague, but they’ve promised to provide an “appropriate meal and beverage” to those affected by delays, whether that’s a cash voucher or other form of coupon for a meal.

Complimentary accommodations

Allegiant Air says they will provide you with overnight accommodations in cases of extreme delays. 

This most commonly looks like a hotel the gate agent will book for you, but the Allegiant fine print includes “compensation/reimbursement for reasonable overnight accommodation expenses.” So keep your receipts if they don’t book it themselves!

Allegiant also promises to cover ground transportation in the case of an overnight delay. 

If there isn’t a hotel shuttle, for example, they may book you an Uber or equivalent service to get you to the hotel and back to the airport. Or they may reimburse you for reasonable ground transportation expenses.

If you find yourself in an extended delay situation, speak to the gate agent to confirm your accommodation options.

Refunds

Allegiant has to refund you for any part of your itinerary that was not completed or provided by the airline. This is a requirement under a rule from the Biden-Harris administration. 

Be careful here, because the airline may try to convince you to accept a travel credit instead of a refund. This is a much better deal for the airline, but not so much for you, because 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! 

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

Understanding Your Rights for Allegiant Air 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 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 Allegiant Air’s control

While passengers are entitled to services from Allegiant in the case of controllable delays, uncontrollable delays are a different story. 

For significant delays caused by things outside of Allegiant’s control (called “force majeure” events), like weather conditions, medical emergencies, air traffic control issues, or “Acts of God,” Allegiant says you will be rebooked on a new flight. 

If you don’t accept the rebooking, they will refund you for whatever portion of your ticket was unused. 

However, Allegiant doesn’t provide other compensation, such as 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 Allegiant 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. 

Allegiant Air 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 Allegiant 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 listed on the dashboard for Allegiant Air!

You can also contact Allegiant Air through email, text, or chat.

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 Allegiant 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. 

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 Allegiant Flight Delay Compensation

Allegiant Air has specific policies for delays within their control. For domestic flights delayed over 3 hours, you could be entitled to rebooking, refunds, and vouchers. 

Don't be afraid to ask for what you're owed! However, keep in mind that they don’t promise travel credit. 

Remember: These are commitments Allegiant has made to its passengers. They are obligated to follow through on their promised services.

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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.