Peter Greenberg: Were We Compensated Correctly?

By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2008-02-23

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Traveled on American Airlines recently, and the flight was delayed eight hours due to mechanical problems. We were compensated with 6,000 miles for our inconvenience. Two weeks after that flight, our next AA flight was delayed nine hours, again due to mechanical problems. We had to overnight in Miami; again we were compensated with 5,000 miles for our inconvenience. Were these compensated miles, hotel, breakfast, and dinner vouchers (on the second trip only) adequate? And what were our passenger rights?

–Sandra, Richmond, Va.
 
From your description of the events, it appears that AA did honor its obligations to you. Basically, when a flight is delayed for mechanical reasons, the airline must make every effort to get you to your destination as quickly as possible. Failing that, they must feed and shelter you until they can get you on a flight. So if you received food vouchers and a hotel stay, that would meet the airlines' minimum legal obligations.
 
I might also point out that they weren't required to give you the extra miles. That they did anyway makes the compensation a step above the minimum you might expect.
 
Remember, your rights are always outlined in the contract of carriage. It's fine print, yes, but it's worth seeking out, especially if (or when) you run into problems. You can find AA's conditions of carriage here.

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