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Compensatory Time Off for Travel - Examples

Fact sheet: compensatory time off for travel - examples, examples of creditable travel time, example 1: travel to a temporary duty station on a workday.

On a workday, an employee is required to travel from home to a temporary duty station for an afternoon meeting. The employee's regular working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In total, the employee spends 13 hours (6:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.) traveling to and from the worksite. However, the time between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. is compensable as part of the employee's regular working hours. Also, an employee's time spent traveling outside of regular working hours to or from a transportation terminal (e.g., an airport or train station) within the limits of his or her official duty station is considered to be equivalent to commuting time and is not creditable travel time. (See 5 CFR 550.1404(d).) In this case, the employee spends 2 hours traveling to and from an airport within the limits of his official duty station.

In this example, the employee's compensatory time off for travel entitlement is as follows:

Total travel time: 13 hours

Travel time within regular working hours: 4.5 hours

Travel to/from airport within limits of official duty station: 2 hours

Compensatory time off for travel: 6.5 hours

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Example 2: Travel to a temporary duty station on a nonworkday

An employee is required to travel to a temporary duty station for a week-long conference. The employee's regular working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Because the conference begins early Monday morning, the employee travels to a hotel at the temporary duty station the Sunday evening before the conference. The conference is scheduled to continue into the evening on Friday, so the employee returns home on Saturday morning.

In total, the employee spends 13 hours (5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday and 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the following Saturday) traveling to and from the conference. However, the hour the employee spends on Sunday traveling to the airport and the hour the employee spends on Saturday traveling from the airport within the limits of her official duty station is considered equivalent to commuting time and is not creditable time in a travel status.

* The agency's compensatory time off for travel policy allows up to 90 minutes of creditable waiting time at a transportation terminal. Therefore, only the time from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. is creditable as "usual waiting time." (See 5 CFR 550.1404(b)(1).) The time from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. is considered "extended waiting time" and is not creditable. (See 5 CFR 550.1404(b)(2).)

Extended waiting time: 2 hours

Compensatory time off for travel: 9 hours

Example 3: Travel from a temporary duty station on a workday (with cancelled connecting flight)

On a Friday (workday), an employee is required to travel from a temporary duty station to home. However, due to severe weather, the employee's connecting flight is cancelled until Saturday morning (nonworkday). On Friday, the employee's regular working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In total, the employee spends 17.5 hours (5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday and 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday) traveling from the temporary duty station. However, the time between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. is compensable as part of the employee's regular working hours. (For the purpose of this example, we are assuming the employee has a 30-minute meal period during his regular working hours.) The extended waiting period from 4:30 p.m. until the employee departs for the airport on Saturday morning is not creditable travel time, since the employee is free to use the time for his own purposes. (See 5 CFR 550.1404(b)(2).) Also, an employee's time spent traveling outside of regular working hours to or from a transportation terminal (e.g., an airport or train station) within the limits of his or her official duty station is considered to be equivalent to commuting time and is not creditable travel time. (See 5 CFR 550.1404(d).) In this case, the employee spent 1 hour traveling from an airport within the limits of his official duty station.

Total travel time: 17.5 hours

Travel time within regular working hours: 8.5 hours

Travel from airport within limits of official duty station: 1 hour

Compensatory time off for travel: 8 hours

Example 4: Driving to and from a temporary duty station on a workday

An employee is required to travel to a temporary duty station on a workday for a 1-day training session. The training location is a 2-hour drive from the employee's home. The employee's regular working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In total, the employee spends 4 hours (6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) driving to and from the training session.

If an employee travels directly between home and a temporary duty station outside the limits of his or her official duty station, the time spent traveling outside regular working hours is creditable travel time. However, the agency must deduct the time the employee would have spent in normal home-to-work/work-to-home commuting. (See 5 CFR 550.1404(c).) In this case, the employee's normal daily commuting time is 2 hours (1 hour each way). Therefore, 2 hours must be deducted from the employee's creditable travel time.

Total travel time: 4 hours

Normal commuting time: 2 hours

Compensatory time off for travel: 2 hours

Example 5: Travel to multiple temporary duty stations on a workday

An employee is required to travel on a workday to two temporary duty stations to make presentations to stakeholders. The employee's regular working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In total, the employee spends 13.5 hours traveling (6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.) between home and the two presentation sites. However, the time between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. is compensable as the employee's regular working hours. (For the purpose of this example, we are assuming the employee has a 30-minute meal period during her regular working hours.) Also, the 2 hours the employee spends traveling outside of regular working hours to and from the airport within the limits of her official duty station is not creditable travel time.

Total travel time: 13.5 hours

Travel time within regular working hours: 5.5 hours

Compensatory time off for travel: 6 hours

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Trip Delay Insurance Explained

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Table of Contents

What is trip delay insurance?

What does trip delay insurance cover, trip delay insurance via credit card, trip delay coverage via travel insurance, trip delay insurance recapped.

Despite what many travelers may believe, there is no federal law in the U.S. requiring airlines to provide passengers with compensation for a delayed flight. Even if an airline’s policy is to provide meals or lodging, it will rarely do so if the delay is due to weather or another factor it considers beyond its control.

Fortunately, many premium credit cards and travel insurance providers offer trip delay insurance, which can cover expenses like overnight accommodation and meals if your flight is significantly delayed.

Here's how trip delay insurance works and where you can get it.

Trip delay insurance is protection against additional expenses you incur when your travel booked on a common carrier is delayed. Common carriers include airlines, ferry operators, passenger railroads and long-distance bus service.

However, not every delay is eligible for coverage under trip delay insurance. The policy’s terms will specify the length of the delay required before coverage kicks in, but many policies require a minimum delay of six to 12 hours — or an overnight stay.

Trip delay insurance offered by credit cards is generally considered secondary to other coverage you might receive, meaning that if your airline provides you with a hotel room or meals, you wouldn't be able to claim those things under your credit card’s trip delay insurance.

» Learn more: How do travel insurance claims work?

Trip delay insurance policies differ, but typically they cover reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred due to a travel delay. Unlike airlines’ policies which cover delays under their control only, trip delay insurance also covers delays due to weather or other unforeseen events. Coverage is typically limited to a specific dollar amount per day or per trip.

Purchases that are often covered under trip delay insurance include:

Medication.

Toiletries.

Transportation to and from your hotel.

Other personal use items.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

Many travelers already have trip delay insurance and don’t even know it. Check your credit card’s benefits to see if you’re already covered. Here are the policies and limits for those who hold certain American Express or Chase travel cards .

American Express

American Express offers trip delay insurance with most of its premium cards, including Centurion cards, Platinum cards, Gold cards and its high-tier co-branded hotel and airline credit cards. Here are some American Express travel cards that include trip delay insurance:

The Platinum Card® from American Express .

American Express® Gold Card .

American Express® Green Card .

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card .

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card .

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card .

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card .

Terms apply.

American Express also includes trip delay protection on small-business, co-branded and corporate varieties of the above cards.

To be eligible for coverage, you must do the following:

Pay for your travel with your eligible American Express card.

Book a trip that starts and ends in the same city and is no longer than 365 days.

If you use points, certificates or vouchers, the cash component of the ticket must be paid for using your eligible card.

AmEx trip delay insurance also provides coverage for the cardholder’s family members and traveling companions when their travel is also booked using the cardholder’s eligible American Express card.

Coverage kicks in when your trip is delayed more than six hours. Eligible reimbursements include meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and other personal use items.

Chase offers trip delay reimbursement on its premium Sapphire credit cards and several of its high-tier co-branded credit cards.

Here is the list of travel cards offered by Chase that include trip delay insurance.

on Chase's website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 12 hours.

• Car rentals: Theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

• Trip interruption: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for three days.

Additional Chase cards with trip delay insurance include:

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card .

United Club℠ Business Card .

United Club℠ Infinite Card .

World of Hyatt Credit Card .

To be eligible for coverage, you must purchase your common carrier tickets with an eligible Chase card or with rewards earned on an eligible Chase card. Coverage is extended to the cardholder, their spouse or domestic partner and any dependent children younger than 22.

Unlike AmEx, Chase’s coverage doesn’t require travel to start and end in the same location, but your trip must still be shorter than 365 days.

You are eligible to claim reimbursement for expenses if your trip is delayed by more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay. Chase will reimburse for reasonable expenses including meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and other personal use items.

Chase trip delay reimbursement coverage is limited to $500 per covered trip.

» Learn more: What you need to know about Chase’s trip delay insurance

If the credit card you booked your trip with doesn’t offer trip delay protection or if you need additional coverage, you can purchase it as part of a travel insurance package.

Who is covered, what is covered and coverage amounts vary by plan and issuer. Also, not all travel insurance providers offer trip delay insurance, so be sure to review coverage details before making a purchase.

Here are three providers that offer travel insurance including trip delay protection.

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz offers travel delay protection as part of many of its travel insurance packages. For example, the OneTrip Prime package includes coverage for expenses up to $800 per trip ($200 per day) and is effective once your trip is delayed by five hours or more.

Allianz coverage can also reimburse expenses if you miss your cruise or tour due to a covered delay. In addition to single-trip packages, Allianz offers annual travel insurance for the frequent traveler.

» Learn more: The NerdWallet guide to Allianz travel insurance

Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway offers per-trip insurance packages that include trip cancellation and interruption insurance , medical expense reimbursement , evacuation insurance and travel delay coverage.

Berkshire’s ExactCare Value plan includes $500 of travel delay insurance, but for those needing more protection, the ExactCare Extra plan provides up to $1,000 of protection.

You may have seen Travelex currency exchange counters at major airports, but the company also provides travel insurance. All of Travelex’s travel insurance plans include trip delay protection, starting with $500 of coverage for the Travel Basic plan and going up to $2,000 for the Travel Select and Travel America plans.

You can also shop for providers and compare coverage plans with travel insurance search engines like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth .

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

If your travel insurance policy includes trip delay coverage, then yes, you are eligible for compensation for expenses up to a certain amount accrued when your travel on a common carrier is delayed.

Generally, travel on a common carrier must be delayed by at least six hours before coverage kicks in.

Most trip delay policies cover necessary expenses incurred during the delay. Covered expenses generally include meals, lodging, toiletries, transportation and other personal items.

Trip interruption insurance differs from trip delay insurance in that it covers expenses incurred post-departure. Should you miss or be unable to complete a portion of your trip after initial departure, you'll be reimbursed for unused, prepaid, nonrefundable expenses and may be eligible for reimbursement of additional costs like hotel nights and flights home.

Trip interruption insurance

differs from trip delay insurance in that it covers expenses incurred post-departure. Should you miss or be unable to complete a portion of your trip after initial departure, you'll be reimbursed for unused, prepaid, nonrefundable expenses and may be eligible for reimbursement of additional costs like hotel nights and flights home.

Unexpected delays can happen to anyone when traveling. Understanding what trip protection benefits are available to you will save you stress and money in case you encounter a lengthy travel delay.

If you hold one of the many premium credit cards that offer trip delay insurance, take a moment to read your card’s terms and conditions to understand what coverage you have. If not, you can still access trip delay benefits by purchasing a standalone travel insurance policy.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

June 1, 2020

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova; North Korea; Russia; Israel

This is a test environment. Please proceed to AllianzTravelInsurance.com and remove all bookmarks or references to this site.

Use this tool to calculate all purchases like ski-lift passes, show tickets, or even rental equipment.

Travel Delay

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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Trip Delay Insurance: Coverage & Reimbursement Guide

Get trip delay coverage for as low as $55 per month by one of our trusted partners.

in under 2 minutes

with our comparison partner, Squaremouth

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

Sabrina Lopez is a senior editor with over seven years of experience writing and editing digital content with a particular focus on home services, home products and personal finance. When she’s not working, Sabrina enjoys creative writing and spending time with her family and their two parrots.

Travel delays are inconvenient and all too common. Data from March 2023 shows flight delays totaled 153,920 hours . While every late departure is frustrating, some situations can affect your travel budget and wreak havoc on your itinerary.

If delays stretch overnight, you will need to pay for food and hotel accommodations for yourself and your traveling companions, adding to the overall trip cost. Excessive delays can affect connections, transportation arrangements and tour and hotel reservations for the rest of your journey. Trip delay coverage from a top travel insurance provider can pay reasonable expenses associated with waiting for your journey to restart.

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What Is Trip Delay Insurance Cover?

Travel delay coverage pays for additional services if your trip gets delayed. It includes delays occurring on airlines and other forms of commercial transport, such as buses, trains, passenger boats and other common carriers.

Trip delay benefits can vary depending on the insurance company and coverage limits. However, most policies pay for hotel rooms, meals, other necessities and transport during the waiting period. The insurance company will require that delays are due to covered reasons, such as inclement weather or some other event beyond your control. Oversleeping and missing a flight will not qualify you for reimbursement.

Insurance coverage also requires you to accept rebooking or alternative arrangements offered by the airline. The policy documents will also list delay length and other factors you must meet before you can make an insurance claim.

Travel delay insurance is usually not a stand-alone product. It comes in a package with trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage or as part of a comprehensive policy with medical emergency and evacuation insurance.

Benefits of Trip Delay Insurance

Travel insurance plans with delay coverage offer specific advantages to travelers.

• The policy ensures comfort during delays by paying for hotel rooms and meals.
• It also covers additional expenses, such as taxis or ride-shares during your unscheduled stay or any other services you might need.
• Insurance covers reimbursement for unrefunded reservations missed due to the delay.
• You can file a claim for costs associated with resuming your itinerary after a missed connection or other unexpected and uncontrollable delays.
• The coverage provides peace of mind by knowing you are protected even if your airline can’t rebook you or make alternative arrangements.
• The delay claim can also include personal use items necessary for a comfortable stay.
• Coverage extends to common carriers, including airlines, trains, buses and passenger boats.

Many insurers also offer assistance services to help you find or book a hotel or make other arrangements during an extended delay.

How Does Travel Delay Coverage Work?

Reimbursement for travel delay coverage requires several steps.

The first step is to establish a covered delay. After a flight cancellation or other delay, seek rebooking arrangements. The Department of Transportation says there are no federal requirements for delays, but most carriers will rebook passengers on the next available flight. Your provider will likely deny a travel insurance claim for delay costs if you are offered a rebooking and do not accept it.

The second factor is the amount of time. Each insurer has different limits for delay length before coverage kicks in. For example, Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex require a five-hour delay for reimbursement, and Trawick International and AIG Travel Guard have a 12-hour time limit. It is important to look for these time limits when you buy travel insurance to ensure they fit your needs.

When making a claim, you will need to provide travel documents that show the delay (such as a ticket, boarding pass or flight number) and provide proof of reasonable expenses. Most insurers allow you to file a claim online or via a mobile app, and many will request that you submit receipts detailing expenses during the delay.

Once the insurer approves the claim, they send reimbursement. However, the payment amount won’t exceed the coverage limit. For example, if the limitation for delays is $500, and you incurred $700 in expenses, the insurer will send a check for $500, not $700.

Trip Interruption vs. Trip Delay Insurance

Trip interruption insurance and cancellation coverage are different from delay protection. Cancellation insurance reimburses you for the cost of a trip you cancel before departure. Interruption coverage protects against significant disruptions, reimbursing you for unused portions of your itinerary and paying for transport home or to your next destination. Delay insurance is for short-term disruptions and only covers the costs you incur until you resume your travel plans.

Additional Coverage for Travel Delays

Companies package trip cancellation insurance with interruption and delay coverage because the three types of insurance work together to provide comprehensive protection.

If you purchase a plan with these three features, you will not have to worry about the most common travel risks on the covered trip. If you fall ill or your destination experiences a natural disaster before departure, cancellation insurance protects your investment. Meanwhile, delay and interruption coverage protect you after departure.

In short, travel protection ensures your plans don’t get derailed by events beyond your control. And if your plans do change due to an illness, weather event or other disaster, you can file a claim for reimbursement.

Tips for Handling Travel Delays

Travel insurance coverage can help mitigate the risk of delays, but you can take other steps to keep your travel plans on track.

For instance, you can learn what to expect from airlines. The Department of Transportation offers a flight cancellation dashboard that notifies passengers of how different airlines handle delays and cancellations. Armed with this information, you can contact the airline to deal with the delay or cancellation .

You can also plan ahead and have contact information for all travel providers, hotels and other services you book or plan to use on your trip. You can easily notify these providers of any changes due to delays or cancellations.

If you are unable to rebook transport and experience an extended delay, you need to save receipts and other documents to use for your insurance claim. You should always plan spending during a delay to ensure it is under the coverage limit and meets the insurer’s requirements for reasonable expenses.

Is Trip Delay Coverage Worth It?

Delays and cancellations are common in the travel industry. In 2022, about 20% of flights in the U.S. were delayed and 2.69% were canceled. Delay insurance provides compensation for the times when these disruptions last for more than a few hours. This protection allows you to keep your travel budget intact and get back to your itinerary as soon as possible.

Time limits and coverage amounts can affect the compensation and support you get during an extended delay. You should research travel insurers and get multiple quotes to find the best insurer for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Delay Coverage

What is considered a trip delay.

The definition of delay varies from insurer to insurer. For claims purposes, all insurers say that a delay is caused by events beyond your control and that a common carrier does not offer to rebook you. Insurance companies also require that a certain amount of time passes after scheduled departure. The delay length could be between five and 12 hours, depending on the insurer and policy details.

What can you claim for trip delay?

Trip delay insurance covers reasonable expenses paid while you wait for your trip to resume. Covered costs may include hotel rooms, meals, transportation to and from the airport, and any other personal items you need to use during your delay.

Does travel insurance pay for delays?

If you have a travel insurance policy with delay coverage, it will pay claims for reasonable costs incurred while you wait for your trip to continue. However, reimbursement is only possible if the delay meets the minimum requirements laid out by the insurance company for time length and cause.

Typically, covered delays must be beyond the insured person’s control, and there are no reasonable rebooking offers through the airline or other transportation provider.

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at  editors@marketwatchguides. com .

More travel insurance resources

How to Receive Compensation for Delayed and Canceled Flights (2024)

• Travel Delay

What is Travel Delay travel insurance?

Travel Delay reimburses the costs of meals and accommodations when a trip is unexpectedly delayed.

In addition to covering meals and hotels, many policies with the Travel Delay benefit can reimburse unused prepaid and non-refundable trip costs, and some can cover the additional costs a traveler incurs to catch up to their destination, or to return home.

To be eligible for reimbursement through the Travel Delay benefit, the policyholder must meet their policy’s minimum delay requirements. This typically involves being delayed anywhere from 3-12 hours before coverage kicks in, depending on the policy.

The most common covered reasons for flight delays are inclement weather or a mechanical breakdown of a common carrier. However, some policies cover any delay of a common carrier.

The Travel Delay benefit provides a total amount a traveler can be reimbursed for a delay, which can range anywhere from $100 to $5,000. This is broken down into daily dollar amounts that can be used for necessary expenses during the delay, which typically range from $100-$300.

Please be aware that coverage and eligibility requirements for this benefit differ by policy. The tables below show the providers that offer Travel Delay coverage.

What does Travel Delay insurance cover?

Travel Delay provides a layer of financial protection in the event a traveler is stuck at the airport and missing out on valuable vacation time. This includes coverage for the following:

• Meals and Accommodations: Once a traveler meets their policy’s minimum delay period, flight delay insurance may then cover certain expenses incurred throughout the duration of their delay. This often includes meals and overnight accommodations if needed.
• Unused Trip Costs: Policies with the Travel Delay benefit may also reimburse a policyholder for trip costs they missed out on due to a delay. This can include prepaid excursions, hotel stays, and tours.
• Transportation Expenses: If a delay forces a traveler to incur additional airfare expenses to make it to their destination, the Travel Delay benefit may offer reimbursement. A policy’s Missed Connection benefit may also provide coverage in this case.

How long does a flight need to be delayed before I’m covered?

To be covered by Travel Delay, a traveler’s flight must be delayed a minimum number of hours. The most generous policies will have a minimum delay period of 3 hours, while the majority of policies will require the delay exceed 6 or 12 hours before coverage kicks in. If this requirement is not met, the policyholder will not be eligible for delay coverage.

The minimum delay length will vary by policy. A policy’s specific delay requirements can be found within the policy details.

How to claim flight delay insurance?

Roughly a quarter of all travel insurance claims are the result of significant flight delays. Travelers who have met their policy’s delay requirements and are eligible for Travel Delay coverage can file a claim directly with their travel insurance provider.

Those planning on filing a claim must have all relevant documentation, including the original flight itinerary, any communication with the airline, and any receipts showing their expenses during the delay. Most providers will also require a statement from the airline that confirms the delay.

Most providers will have an online form to file a claim, usually found on their website. Some providers may also handle Travel Delay claims over the phone, through email, or via a mobile app.

Looking for a policy with Travel Delay coverage?

Enter your trip information on our custom search form. Once you receive your results, select the Travel Delay filter to find the best policy for your trip with the coverage that you need.

Enter your trip information on our custom quote form . Once you receive your results, select the Travel Delay filter to find the best policy for your trip with the coverage that you need.

Travel Delay by Provider

• Hurricane & Weather
• Missed Connection
• Cancel For Any Reason
• Cancel for Covid-19 Sickness
• Trip Cancellation
• Trip Interruption
• Financial Default
• Employment Layoff
• Cancel For Medical Reasons
• Cancel For Work Reasons
• Interruption For Any Reason
• Medical Coverage for Covid-19
• Emergency Medical
• Pre-Existing Condition
• Co-Insurance
• Medical Deductible
• Home Country Coverage
• Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
• Non-Medical Evacuation
• Extension Of Coverage
• Baggage Delay
• Baggage & Personal Items Loss
• 24 Hour AD&D
• Flight Only AD&D
• Common Carrier AD&D
• Sports & Activities
• Sports Equipment Loss
• Sports Equipment Delay
• Sports Weather Loss
• Search & Rescue
• Sports Fees
• Rental Car Damage
• Money Back Guarantee
• 24 Hour Assistance Service
• Identity Theft
• Renewable Policy
• Maximum Trip Length
• Maximum Number of Trips
• Additional Benefits

Additional Information

• AM Best Ratings

• Even Better

Your flight was canceled. Now what?

Here’s how to get to where you want to go (and make sure your luggage makes it too).

by Allie Volpe

Air travel is inherently stressful. You need to ensure you give yourself enough time to get to the airport, and, once there, you have to contend with potentially long lines at bag drop and security. Without fail, you either have too much time or no time at all at the gate before boarding. Aside from timing, many of the conditions around air travel are out of the passenger’s control, including flight cancellations and delays.

In the United States, over 20 percent of flights were delayed in 2022, according to statistics from the US Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics . Nearly 3 percent of flights were canceled. Stranded at the airport, frustrated passengers may feel out of options. But you do have a few cards in your hand: reschedule, refund, request, or wait it out. Here are some answers to help you make a plan should you find yourself waiting out a delayed or canceled flight.

What causes flight delays and cancellations?

The DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics tracks the causes of flight delays . According to the most recent data , from January through September 2022, the most common reason for flight delays was air carrier delays. A carrier delay includes circumstances like cleaning the airplane, damage to the plane, waiting for connecting passengers or crew to arrive, fueling, and maintenance — all of which are controllable by the airline.

The second-most common cause for a flight delay was the aircraft arriving late — which can be caused by weather. In 2021, weather accounted for 26 percent of total delays that year.

The causes for flight cancellations are the same as delays : air carrier, extreme weather, National Aviation System issues (like non-extreme weather, airport operations, heavy traffic volume, and air traffic control), and security (like needing to evacuate, or reboard because of a security breach or long lines at security).

I have an upcoming flight. What can I do to prepare?

Before you leave for the airport, make sure you’ve signed up for text alerts and downloaded the airline’s app (turn on its notifications) or the FlightAware app to get real-time flight information. If your flight is delayed or canceled well in advance, you can make adjusted plans from the comfort of a hotel or loved one’s home instead of the chaos of the airport.

Take a few photos of your luggage so that if it gets lost down the line, you can provide an accurate description of what it looks like. Travel expert Gary Leff of the travel blog View from the Wing also recommends putting an Apple AirTag in your luggage so you can track your suitcase’s exact location, whether it’s halfway across the country or at baggage claim.

Familiarize yourself with the services your airline provides in the event of a delay or cancellation so you know how to advocate for yourself and other passengers. The DOT’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard details various amenities airlines have committed to providing should a flight be canceled for reasons the airline can control, like maintenance or crew problems, but not weather. These services include rebooking your ticket for free on the same airline (or a partner airline) or a meal voucher for delays longer than three hours.

Your credit card might also offer trip delay coverage or baggage delay coverage where the cost of your hotel, meals, and expenses are reimbursed. Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Platinum Card from American Express, and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card are among the credit cards offering these protections , but check your credit card contract for exact details.

Some airlines, like United and Delta , don’t have change fees for economy tickets and above, so you can change your flight for free if a delay is stretching on longer than you’d like and there’s a more convenient flight on the same air carrier. Check with your airline to make sure you’re not paying extra if you do try to change your flight.

My flight is perpetually delayed. I need to get out of this airport.

For delays that extend overnight due to controllable issues, many airlines — including American, Delta, Spirit, Southwest, and United — offer complimentary hotel accommodations, per the DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard. Many of these airlines provide free transportation to the hotel, too. Extreme weather doesn’t fall under the “controllable” reasons an airline would offer these services, but if you’re stuck due to a weather delay, it’s still worth asking.

Passengers dealing with “significant” delays are entitled to a full refund should they choose not to travel. The DOT hasn’t defined what constitutes a “significant” delay, but rather decides on a case-by-case basis taking into account the length of the delay and the length of the flight. Under normal circumstances, refunds are issued fairly quickly, Leff says.

For airlines that won’t cover hotel stays and meals, go to the baggage service office in baggage claim and ask about the distressed traveler rate , Leff says. “When the airline is not paying for the hotel, they may have discounts available on hotels through their own negotiated rates, and the hotels provide that discount because they want the business from the airline,” he explains. “So you may get a better rate than if you were booking directly yourself. It’s not a publicly available rate.”

My flight was canceled. What now?

Regardless of the reason for cancellation, every passenger is entitled to a full refund should they choose not to rebook.

For delays and cancellations, Leff says the best course of action is to avoid long lines at the airline counter at the airport. “Standing in hours and hours-long lines is probably not going to get you information that’s even going to be useful,” he says. But do exhaust all of your options: Try calling, getting in touch via social media, chatting through the mobile app or with staff at the club level, looking at other flight options on other airlines, or plotting a route via train or bus. “You are best off looking at flight options yourself as though you were buying anew, knowing that with a canceled flight you’ll get your money back, and then you have at least the option to submit to Southwest receipts for some level of reimbursement,” Leff says of passengers dealing with that particular situation.

Just remember the airline staff, on the phone and at the airport, are not responsible for your travel headaches and are not the people on whom to unleash your frustrations. Be nice.

I finally landed. Where’s my luggage?

Sometimes passengers get separated from their luggage, leaving people without clothes and toiletries in a new location. When your bags don’t make it to your destination, speak with a member of airport staff immediately. They may have paperwork for you to fill out describing the physical attributes of your suitcase and its contents. Hopefully, the airport can locate and deliver your bag to you in a timely manner. (Before you depart, make sure there are no irreplaceable items, like keys, or things you’ll need immediately, like medication, in your checked luggage.)

The most an airline can pay a passenger for permanently lost luggage is $3,800 for domestic flights. Again, airlines may reimburse you for items you needed to purchase while your suitcase was missing, so keep receipts.

When it comes to air travel, there are many factors that can, and at some point, will, go awry. Have a plan (and a backup plan), know what expenses airlines will cover, and try to anticipate potential headaches.

Update, January 6, 2023: This piece was originally published on December 28, 2022, and has been updated to include general travel advice around delays and cancellations.

Even Better is here to offer deeply sourced, actionable advice for helping you live a better life. Do you have a question on money and work; friends, family, and community; or personal growth and health? Send us your question by filling out this form . We might turn it into a story.

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