Dear lizabiz-ga;
Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question.
I’ve put together a number of outstanding articles on this subject and
I think you will be quite surprised by what you learn.
Currently there are no U.S. federal regulations that require any
compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight if that cancellation is
due to circumstances beyond the airline's control. Weather delays, the
primary reason for cancellations and delays, fall into this particular
category. On the other hand, each airlines, though not necessarily
“required” to give compensation, often has policies that provide for
it in the event of overbooking, mechanical problems, strike, staffing
issues, etc. You can usually find a copy of these policies in the
paperwork associated with your ticket, and if not, you can often
request it at the airline ticket counter. Some companies offer
compensation for delayed flights, for example, that may range from
meals to hotel accommodations, but rarely cash. If this happens to
you, you should ask the counter attendant what compensation you are
permitted to request under “Rule 240”, but again, I stress that the
operative word here is “request”. (“Rule 240 by the way is the policy
that determines what, if any, compensation you are entitled to
request. Just mentioning this – politely - to them alone can sometime
get results because they instantly become aware that you are just
another mindless traveler who can be toyed with).
An airline basically agrees to transport you from one airport to
another and, believe it or not, it has no legal obligation to fly you
at the times, or even on the day, printed on the ticket. It is not
obliged to provide food, drink or overnight accommodation while you
wait, however long the delay. Some airlines do so though as a means of
protecting their reputation, but beyond that, whatever you get from
them is primarily based on their generosity and on their terms.
However, generally speaking, many airlines do practice certain
NON-BINDING RULES in the name of customer service such as :
They do not provide compensation if alternative transportation is
available to get the passenger to the destination within one hour of
the scheduled arrival on the original ticket.
They sometimes offer the equivalent of the passenger's one way fare up
to a maximum of $200 for substitute domestic flights that arrive
between one and two hours after the original scheduled arrival time or
for substitute international flights that arrive between one and four
hours after the original scheduled arrival time.
If the substitute transportation is scheduled to get you to your
destination more than two hours later (four hours internationally), or
if the airline does not make any substitute travel arrangements for
you, some airline will compensate the passenger in an amount up to a
maximum of $400.
No matter what the policy (or lack of one) is, a little tact and a lot
of sugar can also get you a long way toward compensation. Little is
known about this but you can actually negotiate how much you are
willing to take in order to be satisfied and agree not to complain.
Arguing with the ticket agent will get you no where – FAST! If you do
it right, sometimes you can really come out smelling like a rose. I
actually saw something similar to this happen on my honeymoon. My wife
and I were on a Delta flight enroute home from Las Vegas, Nevada USA.
For some reason, presumably an emergency of some kind, two passengers
were brought just before take-off and the Captain came into the
passenger area and asked for two volunteers to leave the plane so
these people could fly. I watched for more than 10 minutes while the
Captain basically auctioned the offer off to passengers. Each time he
asked for volunteers that no one raise their hand, he raised the
compensation $50 more. In the end, a young couple took the Captain’s
offer of $400 each for their tickets (originally worth about $200
each) a free night’s stay at the Mirage Hotel Casino and $50 each cash
in gambling money. I was stunned. If I hadn’t used all my arranged
vacation already I would have taken him up on it myself in a
heartbeat.
I hope you find that that my research exceeds your expectations. If
you have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. Otherwise, I welcome your rating
and your final comments and I look forward to working with you again
in the near future. Thank you for using Google Answers.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga
INFORMATION SOURCES
LEEDS BRADFORD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
“Advice for Travellers - if things go wrong”
http://www.lbia.co.uk/flight_info/advice3.shtml
AIRSAFE
“Compensation for Flight Delays and Overbookings”
http://www.airsafe.com/complain/bumping.htm
AIRSAFE
“How to Complain About Your Airline Service”
http://www.airsafe.com/complain/complain.htm
FREE TRAVEL TRIPS.com
“What type of compensation will I receive if my flight is delayed or
cancelled?”
http://www.freetraveltips.com/Airlines/Air17.htm
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
Airline cancellation compensation
Airline delay compensation
Airline “Rule 240” |
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