Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

For many years, Delta has been known as one of the top U.S. airlines — ranking for on-time service, a low complaints rate, and reliably helpful employees. 

But does their premium service continue when things go wrong and flights are delayed?

In several common circumstances, you're entitled to compensation if your Delta Air Lines flight is delayed. Compensation might look like rebooking, accommodations, and travel credits.

What Delta Owes You for a Delay

Passengers who experience significant, controllable delays on a Delta Air Lines 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 Delta 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), if your flight has been significantly delayed or canceled, Delta Air Lines will automatically rebook you on the next available Delta flight. 

They’ve also committed to working with their partner airlines to get affected passengers on other flights — so if they can’t get you on a Delta flight, you may be put on a different airline’s flight. 

Vouchers

If a flight has been delayed 3 or more hours, Delta says they will provide passengers with meal vouchers. 

The fine print is vague, but it’s expected that the voucher covers a reasonable meal at the airport. 

Complimentary accommodations and reimbursement

If your travel is interrupted for more than 4 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., Delta offers vouchers for a night’s stay at one of their partner hotels, including ground transportation to get there and back.

If no partner hotels have availability, you’ll need to find your own accommodations. However, Delta says in this case, they will reimburse you for “reasonable” overnight accommodations, including transportation and food. 

You can submit receipts through the online Delta Reimbursement Form.  

Travel credit and frequent flier miles

Delta has an interesting paragraph in their fine print: 

“Delta representatives are empowered with the flexibility and discretion to issue the following forms of compensation for passenger inconvenience when individual circumstances warrant doing so: cash equivalents (e.g., gift cards), travel credits/vouchers, and/or miles for SkyMiles members.”

It’s important to understand that this is not Delta’s promise to compensate you with a travel credit or frequent flier miles. This is intentionally vague, but it’s worth bringing up to the gate agent if you find yourself in an inconvenient delay. 

Refunds

Refunds for delayed flights can only be claimed if you decline all rebookings and accommodations and instead opt not to fly at all. Any unused portion of your ticket will be automatically refunded, thanks to a rule from the Biden-Harris administration.

Before Delta gives you a refund, though, they will try to give you a travel credit instead. But be careful!

For the airline, giving out travel credits to their customers is a much better deal than giving them a refund. 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!

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 Delta Air Lines 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 hours or more. 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 Delta Air Lines’s control

While you are entitled to compensation from Delta 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 the airline’s control, passengers have fewer protections. 

Delta lists the following as examples of force majeure events:

• Weather issues
• Civil unrest, and other security issues
• Labor-related disputes such as strikes and lockouts
• Government regulation
• Shortages of labor, fuel, or facilities

In these situations, Delta claims they “shall have no liability if the flight cancellation, diversion or delay was due to force majeure.”

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 Delta 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. 

Delta Air Lines 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, the Delta Contract of Carriage or their Customer Service Plan 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 Delta Air Lines!

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 Delta Air Lines website or by calling their helpline: 800-221-1212. 

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 Delta 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 American Express Platinum Card® or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you might receive compensation of up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed 6 hours or more.

FAQs

TL;DR: How To Get Delta Flight Delay Compensation

Delta Air Lines should automatically rebook you onto a new flight if they cause a significant delay. 

If the delay extends into the night, they need to provide you with lodging (or reimbursement if no partner hotels have availability) and transportation to and from the airport, along with a meal voucher. 

Remember: These are commitments Delta has made to its passengers! They are obligated to help you reach your destination as smoothly as possible. 

And don’t be afraid to ask for additional compensation for the inconvenience — their employees may oblige! 

---

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.