Flight delayed: meals, hotels and what you can claim

What large airlines commonly commit to

Most of the large US airlines on the DOT dashboard commit to a meal or meal voucher for controllable waits of 3+ hours and a hotel for controllable overnight waits. A few also offer credits. The details differ by airline, so check yours in the airline guides below.

How to claim

• Ask at the airport first: agents can issue meal vouchers and hotel rooms on the spot.
• If you paid yourself, keep every receipt and ask the airline to reimburse you in writing, quoting its dashboard commitment.
• Write down the reason the airline gave for the delay; it decides whether the promises apply.

When a long delay means a refund

If the delay reaches 3 hours or more for a domestic flight, or 6 hours or more for an international flight and you decide not to travel, the DOT treats it as a significant change and you're owed a full refund, due within 7 business days if you paid by credit card, or within 20 calendar days for other payment methods.

Questions

Does the airline have to give me a meal voucher?

Not by federal law. Many airlines commit to it on the DOT dashboard for delays within their control.

Do these promises apply to weather delays?

No. Dashboard commitments cover delays and cancellations caused by the airline (such as crew or maintenance problems), not weather or air traffic control.

Can I get cash compensation for a delay?

Not under US federal law. Some airlines offer credits or miles for controllable delays; a refund is due only if the delay is significant and you don't travel.