Maximize Delayed Flight Compensation

Flight delays can disrupt your travel plans and cause you to miss important events, yet they're often unavoidable. Fortunately, here are some steps you can take to maximize your delayed flight compensation while minimizing your headaches.

Document Everything
Keep track of delay times, gate agent updates and flight status changes. Also, keep receipts for food, hotel and transportation expenses incurred as a result of flight delays.

Research Policies
Understand what compensation you may be entitled to based on the airline's policies on vouchers, credits and refunds. Most major carriers will rebook passengers on the next available flight, provide money or a voucher for meals, and pay for overnight lodging.

Negotiate Respectfully
Remain calm but firm when speaking with an airline representative about compensation. Be sure to have a specific resolution in mind, based on the airline's policies. For example, you may ask to be reimbursed for expenses you incurred and a flight voucher for future use.