Flight delayed or lost luggage? Airlines owe you money
You finally made it to your gate, overpriced coffee in hand, sprinting like your vacation depends on it, only to be greeted by those two soul-crushing words: Flight Delayed. Maybe it starts with 30 minutes … then an hour … then four.
No apology, no update, just your suitcase sunbathing alone on the tarmac like it’s on vacation without you.
Here’s what the airlines don’t want you to know: You might be owed money. A lot of money. But you usually have to ask, and that’s where tech know-how (and me) saves the day.
💰 International flights
Flying to Canada or anywhere in the EU? You might be owed $300 to $700 if your flight is delayed over three hours. The U.S. doesn’t mandate airlines pay out for delays, but that doesn’t mean there’s no hope.
Don’t spend hours combing through airline policies. AirHelp does it for you. Just enter your flight number and date, and it checks your eligibility. If you’re owed money, they’ll file the paperwork and deal with the airline.
They take a cut (about 25%) if you win.
🧳 Bag checks
In the U.S., airlines are required to reimburse passengers for reasonable expenses due to delayed or lost luggage. Think clothing, toiletries, chargers, even a change of shoes if your bag’s gone for days.
Toss an Apple AirTag (21% off) or Tile tracker ($24.98) in your bag. This way, you can see your bag’s location in real time.
Airlines love to tell you your luggage is “in transit” when it’s clearly stuck in Milwaukee. Show them proof, and get your expenses covered faster.
💼 Credit card perks
Did you book with a card like Chase Sapphire Preferred or AmEx Platinum? You could be reimbursed for meals, hotels and ground transportation if your flight’s delayed.
You have to file the claim, and most people don’t even know this perk exists.
📲 Great apps
FlightAware, Flighty and TripIt Pro give you real-time alerts, often before the airline updates the board.
HotelTonight helps you grab a room if you’re stranded overnight.
✍️ Bonus: Complain
Try this prompt with ChatGPT or your favorite chatbot:
“Write a professional complaint email to [airline] requesting compensation for a 4-hour delay, citing DOT and EU flight delay regulations.”
Fill in your airline, date and flight number, and boom, instant legal-sounding email. And yes, it will likely work.
Airlines owe you more than pretzels and an eye roll. Use tech, ask the right questions, and demand what you are owed.
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Tags: airlines, ChatGPT, Flight, lost luggage, money, transportation
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