How To Get Compensation From Delta For Flight Delays (2024)

Delta promises to notify travelers within 30 minutes after a flight is confirmed as delayed. Notifications appear on flight information display screens at the airport, but the Delta app is the quickest way to stay informed about flight delays. It’s always wise to check the app as you’re preparing to leave for the airport. If you input your cell phone number or email while completing online check-in, Delta will notify you about flight delays via these media as well.

If seats are available on same-day flights to your destination, Delta will automatically rebook you. As with delayed flight notifications, the Delta app will apprise you of automatic rebooking. If you’re flying a high-demand route with flights departing every hour or so—say, New York to Chicago or San Francisco to Los Angeles—the extra wait time could be short. Unfortunately, Delta often overbooks these popular flights, and gate agents can’t inform you about clearing standby until shortly before take-off. This means you may find yourself waiting on standby for several flights before scoring a seat. If same-day Delta flights are unavailable to your destination, Delta may reroute you on another airline. Thankfully, if you have to change airlines, you won’t incur any additional costs. Note: If you do clear the standby list for a later flight the same day, Delta will try to ensure any checked baggage arrives at the same time you do.

If you receive a delayed flight notification but are not rebooked automatically, you may be looking at a prolonged delay. At this point, contact a Delta agent to inquire whether the delay is Delta’s fault or from something outside the airline’s control. Check FlightAware.com’s aptly named MiseryMap to see if other airlines at your airport are likewise delayed—a reliable indication of weather-related problems.

To speak with a Delta agent, you have several options: the chat feature on the app, Delta’s customer service number or a Delta customer service desk at the airport. Whichever route you choose, try to speak with a supervisor. Supervisors, more so than standard agents, have power to offer compensation like SkyMiles, future travel vouchers and meal vouchers. Importantly, remind yourself to stay cool-headed when your turn arises to speak with a Delta representative. While few travails challenge intestinal fortitude like getting stuck at the airport, conversations are more productive when all parties are thinking clearly.

At this point, also make sure to safekeep ticket stubs, bag tags and any other paperwork related to the flight. If you end up incurring expenses for transportation, lodging and meals, save physical copies or photos of receipts as well. You may be able to submit these expenses for reimbursem*nt later, but you will need to have the necessary paperwork.

If you expect to be waylaid until the next day, inquire with a Delta agent about lodging and transportation vouchers. If delays are Delta’s fault, the airline lodges customers in contracted facilities, usually a hotel close to the airport. Additionally, Delta offers meal and transportation vouchers in such cases. Occasionally, Delta-contracted hotels run out of room, but in these cases, Delta offers alternate hotel and transportation vouchers. Noted earlier but worth reiterating: save hardcopies or photos of all receipts for hotels, transportation or meal expenses incurred from the delay. If you encounter costs not covered by vouchers, submit a complaint on Delta.com after reaching your destination. If you’re eligible for reimbursem*nt, Delta will ask for receipts.

While you can contact a Delta agent over the phone or at the airport, Detla.com is the easiest way to seek compensation and reimbursem*nt. On Delta’s landing page, scroll to the bottom of the page and under “customer service” click on “comment/complaint.”

The form will ask you for your contact information, Delta frequent flyer number and a description of your complaint. Provide as much detail as possible about the delay and resultant expenses, and Delta will contact you within 30 days to acknowledge the complaint’s receipt. Delta promises to send you a response to your complaint within 60 days..

If Delta successfully rebooks you on a flight within three hours or the delays are outside the airline’s control, don’t expect compensation. However, if the delays are Delta’s fault and last more than three hours, you should receive reimbursem*nt for delay-related costs. If you find yourself saddled with expenses from hotels, meals and transportation, make sure to save all receipts—chances are you can submit them for reimbursem*nt. The sooner you contact a Delta representative or file a complaint on Detla.com, the better your odds for receiving compensation. It never hurts to push for bonus SkyMiles as well—as an additional mea culpa, Delta may offer some.

Lastly, purchasing travel insurance or using a rewards card with travel insurance can mitigate the misery wrought by flight delays. If you purchase travel insurance, you can file a claim for reimbursem*nt for hotel expenses, meals and other costs associated with unexpected overnight stays. Some premium travel cards, like Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express¹ (Terms apply), automatically include travel insurance when you purchase flights with them. For example, if you purchase a flight with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase will automatically reimburse you for delay-related costs up to $500 per ticket.

While prolonged flight delays are among travel’s most infuriating curveballs, you do have some recourse with Delta in many cases. When the delays are Delta’s fault, know you are eligible for expense reimbursem*nt, food, lodging and maybe even extra SkyMiles or future travel vouchers.

¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.