JetBlue Flight Delay Compensation: Complete Guide to Claims & Refunds 2025

You’re breathing free, about to hop onto your low-cost JetBlue flight to somewhere cozy for a little “me” time. 

But when the airport speakers start to crackle with the oh-so-familiar sound of a stressed-out gate agent talking about a mechanical delay… your daydreams of a hot tub and snowy peaks begin to slip away.

In several common circumstances, you're entitled to compensation if your JetBlue flight is delayed. Compensation might look like rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements.

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What JetBlue Owes You for a Delay According to Their Contract of Carriage

JetBlue is considered a “low-cost” carrier, but their policies for delays don’t reflect those of a classic budget airline. 

In fact, JetBlue has some of the better compensation promises of all domestic airlines!

Most of JetBlue’s policies apply to significant, controllable delays: 

• 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 JetBlue does not offer cash compensation for any flight delays — no domestic airlines have committed to this.

However, here is what they do offer: 

Rebooking

According to their contract of carriage and “Customer Bill of Rights,” JetBlue Airlines will help you when flights are canceled or significantly delayed. They say they will rebook you automatically onto the next available flight. 

If no JetBlue flight is available to get you where you need to go, they've committed to working with their partner airlines to book you on a different airline at no extra cost.

Further, if you’re unhappy with the new flight, you can rebook a completely different flight within 5 days at no additional cost! 

But be warned that if you opt for this, you need to take action before the scheduled departure time on the new flight — or else you’ll forfeit the right to rebook within 5 days, categorized as a “no-show.” 

Travel credit

For passengers experiencing significant delays of 4 hours or more, JetBlue offers compensation in the form of their Travel Bank credit, which can be used on future travel within the next 6 months. 

Here’s how it breaks down:

Delay length	Credit amount
4 hours to 4:59	$75
5 hours to 5:59	$100
6 hours to 11:59	$150
More than 12 hours	$200

If you booked through JetBlue, the Travel Bank credits should be sent to you automatically within 7 days. If you booked through a third party, contact JetBlue after 7 days to inquire about compensation.

Remember that these travel credits are compensation for passengers experiencing controllable delays. More on what makes a delay below. 

Complimentary accommodations

JetBlue says they’ll provide hotel accommodations and ground transportation if you are experiencing significant delays of 3 hours or longer and don’t “live locally.” 

In most cases, this will look like a gate agent booking you a room at a contracted hotel, and you’ll likely take a free shuttle to the hotel. Possibly, they’ll book you an Uber or equivalent service to and from the hotel. 

Sometimes, the contracted hotels may be full. In that case, JetBlue has promised to reimburse customers for “reasonable overnight hotel expenses,” as long as you have valid receipts. 

So don’t go booking a night at the Four Seasons! A night at the Marriott would more likely be considered reasonable. 

You’ll also need to be speedy — you must submit your reimbursement request within 10 days of the expense.

Unfortunately, JetBlue doesn’t have a reimbursement form on its website like some other airlines, so be sure to ask the gate agent before you leave the airport.

Vouchers

JetBlue says they’ll provide food for travelers experiencing delays of 3 hours or more. Most often, this comes in the form of a meal voucher to be spent at the airport. 

In the fine print, JetBlue has gone the extra mile and acknowledged that some concessions in the airport may be closed. In these cases, they will make “every effort” to provide travelers with food and water, even ordering it if necessary!

Refunds

If the rebookings and other services won’t work for you and you decide not to fly at all, JetBlue will refund you for any unused portion of your ticket, including fees. 

This is a requirement under a rule from the Biden-Harris administration. 

JetBlue may attempt to give you a travel credit instead of a refund, and while this is a great deal for the airline, it’s not a good deal for you.

Think about it: They aren’t shelling out cash to refund you, 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! 

You’re eligible for a refund only if you decline rebooking efforts, vouchers, and other accommodations, essentially canceling your trip.

JetBlue says the refund will be applied to the original form of payment within one week.

Understanding Your Rights for JetBlue 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 JetBlue Airlines’s control

While you are entitled to compensation from JetBlue 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. 

JetBlue lists the following as examples of force majeure events:

• Weather issues
• Government regulations
• Civil unrest or security issues
• Damage to aircraft caused by a third-party
• Medical emergencies

In these situations, JetBlue claims they “shall have no liability for damages for any delay” if it’s been caused by forces outside of their control. They’ll only rebook you on a new flight, with none of the other amenities like hotels or meal vouchers.

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 JetBlue 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. 

JetBlue 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. You can also contact them via phone or chat.

This is an instance where having that DOT dashboard or the JetBlue 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 JetBlue Airlines!

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 JetBlue 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®, you might receive compensation of up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed 6 hours or more. Its sister card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, offers travel delay compensation after 12 hours or more.

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TL;DR: How To Get JetBlue Flight Delay Compensation

JetBlue has specific policies for flight delays within their control. 

You may be eligible for rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements. Don't hesitate to inquire about your options!

Remember: These are commitments JetBlue has made to its passengers. They are obligated to assist you during travel disruptions.

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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.