American Airlines...flight delays questions.

Don't hold your breath. If it's delayed to to weather/things outside of the airline's control they don't owe you anything.

Some airlines will send you some points/miles as a customer service gesture but, if you don't have anything in writing saying they'll reimburse you, you're probably SOL

In my experience, American and United are the worst when it comes to addressing issues like this but I still always report them.

The second thing I always do (too late for your friends) is always book travel on a credit card that offers compensation and coverage for travel delays, cancellations, lost luggage, etc.

For example...."If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket."

I think they're screwed by AA with them saying it was "weather" but you can still try. Go the email route and submit the expenses using the information from the AA refund page. LINK

For the baggage, you can definitely submit reimbursements for that if they needed to buy anything.

"We will reimburse you for reasonable and necessary items you need immediately while away from home without your bags. Within 30 days of your delay, please send us:

Your 13-character file reference number
A copy of your ticket receipt and baggage claim checks
Your original, dated, itemized receipts

If your bag is not located, any expense reimbursement will be deducted from the final settlement amount.

The quickest way to submit your claim and verification items is by submitting them online.

Submit a claim Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.

If you’re unable to submit online, you can send your claim and verification items items and completed Passenger Property Questionnaire by mail."

American Airlines Central Baggage
4000 East Sky Harbor Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85034

LINK

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What card do you have that offers this?

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CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE



For baggage delays..."Reimburses you for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for baggage delays over 6 hours by passenger carrier up to $100 a day for 5 days."

For travel delays...

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Benefit Overview
If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.

The following information is a summary only. Please see your Guide to Benefits for complete details.

Additional Benefit Information

Provides reimbursement for expenses such as meals and lodging if your common carrier (airline, bus, cruise ship, train) travel is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay

Coverage is in excess of any expenses paid by any other party, including applicable insurance

Trip must be away from the cardholder’s city of residence and be less than 365 days in length
Provides coverage when the common carrier fare has been purchased with an eligible Chase card or with rewards earned on an eligible Chase card

Who’s Covered

Cardholder
Cardholder’s spouse or domestic partner
Dependent children under age 22

Coverage Amount

Up to $500.00 for each purchased ticket
Coverage is limited to one covered hazard per trip

What’s Covered

Reasonable additional expenses incurred for meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal use items due to the covered delay

What’s Not Covered

Any covered hazard delay that was made public or known to you prior to the departure for the covered trip
Prepaid expenses are not covered
Important Claim Information and Timeframes

You, the Cardholder, must notify the Benefit Administrator within 60 days following the date of the delay

The Benefit Administrator will send you a claim form when you report your loss. You must submit a completed claim form and supporting documentation within 100 days of the date of the delay

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Did they not discuss any of this with American Airlines while at the airport? I've found that things like this are MUCH more likely to be handled at the time of incident in the airport. It is MUCH more difficult to get reimbursement after the fact.

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Did they not discuss any of this with American Airlines while at the airport? I've found that things like this are MUCH more likely to be handled at the time of incident in the airport. It is MUCH more difficult to get reimbursement after the fact.

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My thought as well. As soon as they left the airport the chances of getting reimbursement went way downhill.