Flight Delays: What to Ask For When Your Flight Runs Late
Short delays are a nuisance; long ones change decisions. What you can ask for depends on how late the flight is and whether it is effectively a significant change. If you want help with your own booking, call 1-855-365-0395.
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At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Short delay | Stay informed; options are limited |
| Long delay | May count as a significant change |
| Threshold | More than 3 hours domestic, 6 hours international |
| Next step | Check the app for options |
| Help line | 1-855-365-0395 |
When a delay becomes a refund issue
Under DOT rules, a flight that is cancelled or significantly changed in time can entitle you to a refund if you decline the alternative offered.
Ask about support
For long waits, ask about meals, hotels and ground transport, and keep receipts. See rebooking and missed connections.
Step by step
- Check the new time and options in the app.
- Decide whether to wait or change.
- Ask about refund and alternatives.
- Save notices and receipts.
How major airlines handle delays
Fare names and rules differ by airline and change often. Use these notes as a starting point and confirm your own fare.
Delta Air Lines
Its Basic Economy fare (also shown as Main Basic) is usually the most restricted option. For delays, check the rules attached to your own fare on Delta Air Lines’s website or app.
American Airlines
Basic Economy is generally the least flexible fare, while higher fares allow more. For delays, what you can do still depends on your fare, so confirm it before you decide.
United Airlines
Its Basic Economy fare is usually the most restricted option. For delays, check the rules attached to your own fare on United Airlines’s website or app.
Southwest Airlines
The four fare types differ on credits and same-day changes, and Basic credits have a shorter validity. For delays, what you can do still depends on your fare, so confirm it before you decide.
Alaska Airlines
Its Saver fare is usually the most restricted option. For delays, check the rules attached to your own fare on Alaska Airlines’s website or app.
JetBlue Airways
Blue Basic is the most restricted, while Blue fares allow more. For delays, what you can do still depends on your fare, so confirm it before you decide.
Air Canada
Its entry-level economy fare is usually the most restricted option. For delays, check the rules attached to your own fare on Air Canada’s website or app.
Lufthansa
Flights from or within the EU may also fall under EU passenger rights rules. For delays, what you can do still depends on your fare, so confirm it before you decide.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving without a plan.
- Assuming every delay earns a refund.
- Losing notices.
Questions people ask
Refund for any delay?
No; large changes may qualify.
Hotel provided?
Depends on cause and policy.
Delayed bags?
See refund eligibility.
Ready to sort this out?
Call the travel assistance line and have your confirmation code and travel dates ready.
Call 1-855-365-0395Independent travel assistance line. Not an airline phone number.
Independent information service. VerdictSpot Travel Help is not an airline and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any airline. Airline names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the topics covered. Airline rules change often; confirm current terms for your own ticket. You can also manage many bookings yourself on the airline’s own website or app. If you call, ask the agent to explain any service fee before you agree to anything.