Flight Delayed? Here’s the Script I Used to Get Compensation

When you're stranded at the airport, watching the clock tick away as your flight delay stretches on, costs can start piling up fast. The frustration is real, and it usually gets worse once you start to miss connections or events you were supposed to attend at your final destination. And while airlines might give vouchers or rebooking options, those offers might only cover a small fraction of your expenses.

For situations like these, I've developed a script for getting more compensation. And I promise, this script works. I’ve had all sorts of flight mishaps — but I almost always get compensation above what the U.S. government requires, and greater than what the airlines pledged.

Here's a sample script that can get you additional compensation for flight delays or cancellations beyond what’s legally required or otherwise promised. You can use it when talking to customer service at the airport counter, over the phone or by email.

Introduce yourself

"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I was a passenger on flight [Flight Number] from [Departure City] to [Destination City] on [Date]."​

Provide account information

"My booking reference number is [Booking Reference Number], and my ticket number is [Ticket Number]."​

Explain the issue

"The flight was scheduled to depart at [Scheduled Departure Time] but was delayed by [Number of Hours] hours, causing significant inconvenience, including [briefly describe any specific issues, such as missed connections or out-of-pocket expenses such as airport meals, other transportation or other costs, such as non-refundable hotels or show tickets that you missed]."​

Make your request

"Given the delay and its impact, I am requesting compensation as outlined in the DOT's regulations. Specifically, I believe I am entitled to [mention the specific compensation amount based on the delay duration]. Could you please assist me with processing this compensation?"​

Highlight loyalty (if applicable)

"I have been a loyal customer for [number of years] and have always valued the service provided by [Airline Name]. I hope you can help me.

Here are a few examples of times I modified the script above to make it my own. These actually got travel vouchers, bonus miles and even some free food.

Southwest delayed flight compensation: A meal voucher and travel credit

Because my parents live in Missouri, I’m no stranger to flying with Southwest Airlines between Oakland, California and St. Louis, a route that includes a layover in Denver.

The Oakland flight departed late. Alas, I arrived minutes after the boarding door of the St. Louis-bound flight closed with 20 fellow travelers seeking the same connection. Together, we stood and watched our plane take off.

Southwest automatically rebooked us on the next departing flight, but that meant an irritatingly long, two-and-a-half hour layover plus a 2 a.m. arrival time in St. Louis.

I beelined to Southwest’s customer service desk and after exchanging niceties, I said:

“I’m going to land nearly three hours late, which means my ride home isn’t going to be able to pick me up. Do you offer any sort of compensation?”

They said they didn’t cover rides home, so I asked what else they could provide. The agent offered me a $100 voucher toward future Southwest flights. I accepted and — as they printed the voucher — I said:

“I don’t want to be greedy, but do you offer meal vouchers?”

Southwest’s compensation policy is to provide meal vouchers for delays of three hours or more and covers hotel stays (including ground transportation) for overnight delays. Though my delay was just under three hours, the agent printed out a $14 voucher, which covered dinner at Panda Express.

United canceled flight compensation: Travel credits and miles

On another occasion, my coach and I were headed to Colorado to compete at the USA Weightlifting National Championships, when United canceled our flight entirely.

United’s cancellation policy promises to book passengers on the next available flight, but in this case, the next flight wasn’t available for two days — after the competition ended.

Since federal law requires airlines to refund you for canceled flights if you don't accept the rebooking option, I quickly bought two last-minute seats on another airline. There was no way I was going to miss the competition.

After the dust had settled, I filed for and received a full refund. United also sent us both (and everyone else affected) 30,000 United MileagePlus miles, which NerdWallet estimates are worth about $360.

But our last-minute flights weren’t cheap — and I also booked an Uber because the hotel shuttle had stopped running by our new (delayed) arrival time. So, I sent a message to the United customer service team through its online form. Here’s what I said:

Hi there!

My Wednesday flight was canceled and the next available option was Friday. I was competing at a weightlifting meet on Friday morning, so that alternative would not have been possible. Instead, I booked a last-minute flight for my coach and I on Southwest, which was $279.97 per person and got in at about 2 a.m.

Originally we were going to take the hotel shuttle, but since it stopped running at midnight, I also paid $39.62 for an Uber.

I am requesting compensation of $599.56 (both our airfares plus the Uber) to cover the unanticipated expenses. I know Southwest offered compensation for flights on other airlines when it had the similar cancellation situation in January, so thanks in advance for providing it to United customers.

While United didn’t give me the full $599.56 I requested, a customer service rep did issue me a $500 certificate toward future United flights. That was on top of the airfare refund, plus 30,000 United MileagePlus miles each.

Considering my out-of-pocket expenses to get us there last-minute amounted to about $600, then — depending on the financial gymnastics you’re willing to do — we actually profited off United’s meltdown.

While those two anecdotes had a happy ending, such outcomes are not a guarantee.

Know what compensation you’re entitled to

If you choose not to rebook with the same airline for a canceled or significantly delayed flight in the U.S., you are legally entitled to a prompt cash refund. That’s for both the airfare and for other extras you might have purchased (for example, if you paid to select a specific seat). But you aren’t entitled to any other compensation for the inconvenience.

The European Union flight delay compensation rules are more generous.

Look to travel insurance

Your travel insurance policy may help, assuming you have one. Many policies offer trip delay and interruption benefits that can alleviate delay-related costs such as meals or hotel accommodations. While travel insurance typically costs extra, you might already have it because many credit cards provide trip insurance on trips paid for with that card.

Act quickly

Major flight disruptions are almost inevitable for frequent flyers. In 2024, only 77.9% of flights arrived on time — 20.4% of which were delayed and 1.4% of which were canceled entirely, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

If your flight is canceled or delayed, move quickly to get rebooked or make alternative arrangements before seats fill up.

Be polite

The customer service agent is likely stressed and overwhelmed too, so show kindness when asking for support. I suspect that’s what worked for me.

In both situations, I got to my destinations with some delay, but I felt appropriately compensated because of it. Plus, I even medaled at USAW Nationals.