How To Get Compensation For American Airlines Flight Delays And Cancellations (2024)

American Airlines may give compensation for delays and cancelations depending on the circ*mstances and who is at fault.

If your flight is canceled or severely delayed, including any delays that cause you to miss a connecting flight, you’ll be rebooked at no charge on the next American Airlines flight with open seats. If there are no American Airlines flights until the following day, you will be rebooked on a partner airline, if available.

In the event you’re delayed onboard while on the ground and unable to access the terminal gate (not including on an active runway or taxiway) for over 2 hours, American Airlines will make a reasonable effort to provide basics like snacks, water, access to restrooms and basic medical assistance.

Compensation When American Airlines Is at Fault

If the delay or cancelation is the fault of American Airlines, customers are entitled to the following compensation upon request.

• If you’re delayed overnight away from your home city, American Airlines will provide a hotel voucher when rooms are available. If AA runs out of hotel vouchers, you can pay for your own hotel and then request reimbursem*nt for a reasonable rate afterward.
• If you are offered a hotel voucher, you are also eligible to receive a shuttle to and from the hotel, transportation by a third party, a travel voucher or reimbursem*nt for reasonable travel costs.
• If your flight delay is three or more hours, you’re entitled to meal vouchers.

Passengers who are rerouted to another city with a flight to their final destination that doesn’t board before 11:59 p.m. are also entitled to hotel and transportation vouchers or reimbursem*nt.

Compensation for Weather Delays

Flight delays or cancellations due to bad weather are something that most travelers will experience at some point. It’s never fun, but it’s easier to deal with when you know what compensation you might be entitled to and how to get it.

If your flight delay or cancellation is the result of something that is out of the control of American Airlines, like the weather, you are responsible for your own hotel, transportation and meal expenses.

If you decide not to fly due to a significant delay, you can request reimbursem*nt for the unused portion of your ticket.

If your flight was delayed or canceled by American Airlines, you may be entitled to reimbursem*nt for select out-of-pocket costs.

To request reimbursem*nt for reasonable costs for a hotel room, transportation to and from a hotel and meals, you’ll need to contact American Airlines. You can email them at AmericanAirlinesCustomerRelations@aa.com or contact them through the AA website customer service form. Be sure to include all your flight information and receipts for your expenses.

How Long Does My Flight Have To Be Delayed for Compensation?

To receive compensation for hotel and transportation costs, your flight must be delayed overnight. In order to be eligible for meal vouchers, your flight must be delayed at least three hours.

Compensation for American Airlines Canceled Flights

If your flight is canceled by American Airlines, you’re entitled to a full refund, even if you purchased a non-refundable ticket.

Passengers who experience a significant schedule change or delay caused by the airline are entitled to a refund, according to the Department of Transportation. Unfortunately, the DOT hasn’t defined what counts as a “significant delay,” so refund requests are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Credit cards with trip delay coverage offer reimbursem*nt for expenses that result from a delayed flight. This type of policy protects you in situations often not covered by the airlines, like weather delays, and can fill in the gaps between what the airline covers and your actual expenses.

Credit cards with trip interruption and cancellation insurance can cover nonrefundable travel purchases made with your credit card in the event your trip is cut short or canceled.

Coverage levels and policies vary by card. You’ll need to pay for your flight with the card that holds the coverage, so it’s smart to choose one that offers a good balance of airline bonus points and trip insurance. Make sure you’re familiar with the terms for each card because some might require round-trip travel to be covered, while others won’t have that same requirement.

Here are some of the best cards that include both trip delay coverage and trip interruption/cancellation insurance.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card¹
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card¹
• The Platinum Card® from American Express¹
• United℠ Explorer Card

No one enjoys a delayed or canceled flight, but knowing the best way to handle it can make the situation less stressful.

Most passengers head for the customer service desk when things go wrong. If delays are widespread, the waiting time in these lines can be hours. Instead of waiting in line, check the American Airlines mobile app, as you can often change your flight quickly and easily with just a few clicks.

If you have access to American Airlines Admirals Clubs or Flagship Lounges, you’ll often have better luck re-booking your flights with the help of lounge agents than waiting in the general customer service line. Without status, annual Admirals Club membership fees start at $850 or 85,000 miles.

Admirals Club membership is included with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*, or you can purchase a day pass, depending on the location and lounge capacity. A day pass to an Admirals Club costs $79 or 7,900 American Airlines miles, while a day pass to a Flagship lounge costs $150 or 15,000 American Airlines miles.

While the insurance that comes with your credit card may be enough for simple trips, buying an additional insurance policy may be worth it if you’re planning an expensive or once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Many different travel insurance companies offer policies ranging from single-trip to yearly plans. If you’re interested in insuring your American Airlines flight against delays and cancellations, pay special attention to the policy’s trip interruption, cancellation and trip delay sections.

Here are some of the main types of coverage you may see when researching travel insurance.

• Flight cancelation insurance and trip cancellation insurance cover pre-paid and nonrefundable expenses when you have to cancel a trip due to covered reasons like illness, injury, death and severe weather.
• Trip interruption insurance covers you in the event you have to cut a trip short due to a covered reason.
• Travel delay insurance is a policy that reimburses expenses like meals and lodging when a trip is delayed for a covered reason, which can include severe weather or mechanical issues.
• Depending on the specific policy and trip, consider upgrading to a Cancel for any Reason (CFAR) policy, which covers a broader range of scenarios.

Regardless of the type of insurance policy you decide to buy, read the fine print carefully, as each company’s policies can vary.

Travel can be unpredictable, and like it or not, delays and cancellations aren’t uncommon. Each airline’s policy will vary, and it can pay to get familiar with your carrier’s procedures in the event of a significant delay or canceled flight. Add supplemental insurance if necessary and, if possible, book with a card that includes some amount of travel insurance as well to receive even more protection.

To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.

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.