Taking a trip and exploring a new destination can be an exciting adventure. But first, you have to get there.
Unfortunately, travel delays can happen, and they usually occur when you least expect them. They’re a headache for sure, but in some cases, they can also work in your favor.
In some situations, airlines will even pay you for the inconvenience of a travel delay. While dealing with one isn’t ideal, these policies are available (but only if you know to ask for them).
So before your next trip to the airport, get to know the rules that are in place to protect you when it comes to a delayed bag, flight delay, or cancellation.
Here are a few ways airlines will pay you in the form of a discount code, a future flight, bonus miles, or points when experiencing travel delays.
In this article
Delta Has a 20-Minute Bag Guarantee
Rules differ by airline, but Delta has one that’s known to come in handy.
The airline is so committed to getting your checked bag to the luggage carousel in a timely manner, that they have a 20-minute guarantee for travelers flying on domestic flights.
Here’s how it works: if your checked bag doesn't arrive at the luggage carousel within 20 minutes, you're eligible to receive 2,500 bonus points.
This offer applies to domestic flights within the U.S. and Puerto Rico that are operated by Delta and Delta Connection carriers.
You must complete a form no later than two hours after your flight's arrival to claim the bonus miles owed. They won’t be automatically given.
You also must have an active SkyMiles membership at the time of travel to be eligible to request bonus miles.
JetBlue Provides Compensation When They Cause Lengthy Disruptions
If you’re flying JetBlue and encounter a lengthy delay en route somewhere, and it’s the airline’s fault, you might come out on top.
JetBlue provides compensation in the form of bonus points for what they call "lengthy controllable flight delays and cancellations." These are delays caused by factors that are within the airline's control, such as mechanical problems, crew staffing, aircraft cleaning, or loading baggage.
If one of these delays results in a flight departing more than three hours past the scheduled departure time, JetBlue will give TrueBlue members 5,000 points.
This perk extends to cancellations, too. For controllable flight cancellations made less than four hours before the scheduled departure time, JetBlue will also award TrueBlue members 5,000 points.
Controllable disruption compensation applies to all JetBlue flights, except those flying to and from Canada and flights departing from Europe.
To be eligible, you must have a TrueBlue account attached to the reservation prior to the disruption.
Alaska and Hawaiian Offer Compensation for Disruptions Within Their Control
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines now work in partnership, and both airlines have a 20-minute bag guarantee.
If it takes more than 20 minutes to receive your luggage, you'll be entitled to a $25 discount code for a future Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines flight, or 2,500 Atmos rewards bonus points.
You must make a claim with a customer service agent or at the baggage office at the airport within two hours of your flight's arrival.
Both airlines also provide compensation for lengthy, controllable flight delays and cancellations.
If your flight is delayed by three hours or more, or a controllable cancellation results in you waiting over three hours for a new flight, you're eligible for a discount code of at least $50 for a future flight, or at least 2,000 Atmos rewards points.
Compensation amounts vary based on the length of the delay or cancellation.
All Airlines Must Reimburse Checked Bag Fees for Significant Luggage Delays
If your luggage is really MIA, it’s important to understand your full protection.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations require airlines to refund your checked baggage fees if your checked luggage is significantly delayed.
What counts as a significant delay depends on the type of flight: for domestic flights, that means your bag hasn’t been delivered within 12 hours.
For international flights of 12 hours or less, the window extends to 15 hours after arrival. For international flights longer than 12 hours, airlines have up to 30 hours.
If your bag misses those deadlines, you're entitled to a full refund for any checked bag fees that you paid. If you didn’t pay a checked bag fee, however, no compensation is owed.
The Shortcut
Delta and Alaska/Hawaiian both offer a 20-minute bag guarantee: miss that window, and you're owed bonus points or a discount code, but you have to file a claim within 2 hours of arrival.
JetBlue, Alaska, and Hawaiian pay out miles or discount codes for delays and cancellations that are the airline's fault, like mechanical issues or crew staffing, not weather.
Any airline must refund your checked bag fee if your luggage misses federal delivery windows (12-30 hours depending on the flight), but only if you paid a bag fee to begin with.
