American Airlines may give compensation for delays and cancelations depending on the circumstances 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 reimbursement 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 reimbursement 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 reimbursement.
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 reimbursement for the unused portion of your ticket.
