How to Request Hotel Compensation for Delta Flight Cancellations

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If Delta started an official fan club, I’d be a founding member. What would you call me — a Deltie? Like a Swiftie? 

I like Delta because they’re reliable. My flights are rarely delayed and they’ve only canceled my flight once (and they gave me a hotel room). Maybe I’m just lucky, but in my experience, the airline has reliable customer care when things go wrong. 

If your own Delta flight gets canceled and you don’t have a place to stay overnight, you may be entitled to hotel accommodations or compensation. But do you know how to claim it?

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When Does Delta Provide Hotel Compensation? 

First things first: Not all flight cancellations end in free hotel rooms for passengers. Here’s how you know when you qualify.

Situations where Delta covers hotels 

For most compensation rules to apply, including complimentary hotel stays, a passenger’s flight needs to be canceled for reasons within the airline's control. 

Examples of controllable cancellations include mechanical failures, baggage loading issues, or crew scheduling problems.

The bottom line is that the airline can control some stuff in the world of aviation. So, when a preventable cancellation occurs, they need to take care of you while they fix it and get you back on your way.

It’s also important to note that if your travel delay happens during the daytime, Delta doesn’t owe you a hotel room. You become eligible when the cancellation extends four hours past the original departure time and into the period between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

RELATED: Delta Flight Delay Compensation: Guide to Claims & Refunds

Situations where Delta doesn’t cover hotels 

Sometimes, the airline can’t control the reason for the flight cancellation. 

Uncontrollable cancellations are most often for weather, strikes, war, security or safety concerns, or “acts of God.” Yeah, that’s a reason listed in Delta’s contract of carriage.

These uncontrollable factors are called “forces majeure,” and on that list are also air traffic restrictions or delays, fuel shortages, and international unrest. 

If you’re stuck due to one of these reasons, Delta isn’t liable to take care of you. They have no legal obligation to put up their passengers in hotels during events outside their control.

READ MORE: Flight Canceled Due to Weather? Know Your Compensation Rights

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Steps to Claim Hotel Compensation from Delta 

Say your flight was canceled due to mechanical issues. Great! Well, not really, but at least you're eligible for compensation!

1. Speak to Delta representatives at the airport 

Visit the customer service desk or gate agent immediately after the cancellation is announced to ask if Delta will provide a hotel voucher or rebooking options.

If the cancellation is due to one of those controllable factors, they need to book you a room or provide you with a voucher to do the same. 

It’s possible that their partner hotels won’t have available rooms that night — if that’s the case, Delta needs to reimburse you for a hotel room that you book on your own.

2. Keep all documentation and receipts 

If Delta doesn’t offer a hotel, you can book accommodations yourself and save the receipts for reimbursement. 

The airline will reimburse you for ground transportation, too, so if the hotel doesn’t have a shuttle and you take an Uber, you can get reimbursed for that as well.

If this happens, keep proof of the delay, like a screenshot of the flight cancellation notice.

If hotel rates were high that night, take a screenshot to prove you went with a reasonable option. You can submit this along with your receipts as an added layer of credibility to your request.

3. Submit a claim to Delta customer service 

You can submit those receipts on the Delta website to start the reimbursement process.

You’ll need to give them your confirmation number, flight number, the date of the flight, and the origin and arrival points

When you file your claim, you’ll want to include supporting documents like screenshots of the travel interruption and all your receipts for the costs you had to cover. 

It’s important to provide clear details about the cancellation and all the expenses you incurred. 

What To Do If Delta Denies Your Request 

I’d like to give Delta the benefit of the doubt and assume they’ll approve every reimbursement request, but that’s just not realistic.

Escalate to corporate or the DOT 

If your initial claim comes back denied, first contact Delta’s corporate customer relations team. You can either hop onto a chat on the Delta website or call their service line at 800-847-0578.

Another option is to file a complaint with the Department of Transportation (DOT). 

The DOT enforces the commitments that airlines make to their customers, so if Delta isn’t holding up their end of the deal with you, get the DOT involved.

Leverage travel insurance or credit card benefits 

There are other avenues through which you might receive compensation for your travel woes. 

When an airline declines responsibility for hotel costs, a travel insurance policy comes in handy. Many policies cover unexpected expenses, like hotels and Ubers, if your travel gets interrupted.

If you don’t have a preferred travel insurance company, you can browse for one that suits you through an online broker like VisitorsCoverage.

Some credit cards offer trip delay coverage as well. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will cover you for up to $500 if your flight is delayed more than 12 hours, and The Platinum Card® from American Express covers you for up to $500 if your flight is delayed more than six hours.*

COMPARE: Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance

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Tips for Negotiating Better Compensation 

Whenever you’re stuck in an unfortunate travel situation, it’s easy to lose your cool and blow up. But it’s always better to stay calm and remember that you’re entitled to certain services from the airline.

Be proactive and polite 

Approach the Delta staff calmly. Clearly explain your situation. You’ll be dealing with them while everything gets sorted out, so stay polite but firm.

It never hurts to request additional perks like meal vouchers or transportation to the hotel if compensation is granted. 

I’ve had particularly good luck with Delta in this area. I was stuck overnight in Seattle once due to a mechanical issue with the plane and when I asked for extra meal vouchers, they gave me several! (Remember when I said I was a Deltie? That’s why.)

Know your entitlements under Delta’s policies 

Nothing will serve you better during a delay than simply knowing what you deserve during a travel interruption. 

Familiarize yourself with Delta’s contract of carriage to strengthen your case. You can have the fine print open and ready on your phone when you go up to the gate agent. 

I recommend also having their customer service plan handy.

RELATED: Get Free SkyMiles with Delta’s Bags-on-Time Guarantee

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Requesting Hotel Compensation 

Here are the major mistakes to avoid when you’re dealing with a travel interruption:

• Failing to ask for a voucher or assistance at the airport. You never know what you might get if you ask!
• Not keeping receipts or documentation for out-of-pocket expenses. These are critical for the reimbursement process.
• Waiting too long to file a claim with Delta or your travel insurance. There is often a time window for submitting claims, so check as soon as possible.

RELATED: What Delta Owes You If They Damage Your Bag

FAQs About Delta Hotel Compensation for Canceled Flights 

Does Delta cover hotel costs for weather-related cancellations?

No. Since weather is outside the airline’s control, they won’t cover a hotel. However, if you ask, Delta may be able to assist you in finding and booking a hotel room while you’re still at the airport.

What’s a “reasonable” cost for a hotel?

Well, it depends! If you’re in the Bahamas, a hotel room will cost much more than one in, say, Omaha. 

This would be a great time to set your search to “lowest to highest” and screenshot the options that come up. When you submit your receipts for reimbursement, send the screenshot to prove you booked the lowest option.

What documentation do I need to file a claim with Delta?

The form requires your confirmation number, flight number, the date of the flight, and the origin and arrival points. The ticket number is optional.

Next, you’ll need your receipts and any other supporting documentation, like screenshots of hotel prices or even a signed note from the gate agent authorizing your hotel booking.

Can travel insurance cover hotel costs if Delta refuses?

It depends on your specific coverage, but any good comprehensive travel insurance plan worth its salt should have a section covering trip delays, including unexpected costs associated with a delayed travel itinerary (like a hotel room). 

TL;DR: Claiming Delta Hotel Compensation 

Delta typically provides hotel compensation for delays within their control, but understanding their policies ensures you know what to ask for!

If you aren’t whisked away on a hotel shuttle to a room already booked for you by the gate agent and they can’t provide a voucher, make sure to document your expenses and file a claim promptly. 

Remember that you can also rely on tools like travel insurance and credit cards to cover the gaps.

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* Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

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.