Flight delay compensation: Here are your rights by each major US airline

Thousands of passengers were stranded at airports around the country in the last few weeks as airlines, particularly United, dealt with the fallout from staffing shortfalls among air traffic controllers and summer storms in the Northeast. Confusingly for many passengers, the severe delays and cancellations didn't necessarily entitle them to compensation from the airlines, because weather and air traffic control delays are seen by the Department of Transportation as largely out of carriers' control.

That doesn't mean airlines can't voluntarily give passengers compensation in those cases, but it's essentially at the airlines' discretion.

What are you entitled to if your flight is delayed?

U.S. airlines are required by the DOT to give passengers refunds if their flights are outright canceled, but the rules around delays are a little murkier.

There's no official requirement for passengers to receive a refund or reimbursement as a result of a flight delay, though the DOT's delay and cancellation dashboard can help travelers better understand what they're entitled to.

Summer travel headaches: What airlines owe you when flights are canceled, delayed

"DOT has not specifically defined 'significant delay,' " the site says. "Whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors – such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances."

The rules are different – and more traveler-friendly – in Europe, where laws require airlines to compensate passengers at least 250 euros for delays of three hours or more, and up to 600 euros for longer delays on long-distance flights. Domestic flights in the U.S. have few protections if something goes wrong. For the most part, it's up to individual airlines to decide how to compensate their passengers after a delay.

Traveling to Europe?: Pack clean underwear in your carry-on

“There’s no specific policy on compensations," said Shaiy Howard, president and CEO of Travel by Shaiy, a travel agency based in South Florida. "Just keep in mind that all airlines vary. When you purchase your airline ticket, in the terms and conditions, there can be delays and normally, they say you’re not entitled to compensation for certain delays like weather.”

Here's what each of the major carriers said they do in the event of a significant delay:

American Airlines flight delay compensation policy

Passengers can receive a refund for unused portions of their ticket if they decide not to travel as a result of a delay. Customers may also receive compensation or reimbursement for delay-related hotel stays and ground transportation, depending on the cause of the delay, according to the airline's customer service plan.

Delta Air Lines flight delay compensation policy

According to the DOT, Delta commits to rebooking passengers on other Delta flights or partner airlines and will provide meal vouchers for passengers affected by delays over three hours for certain causes, as well as hotel accommodation and ground transportation for passengers affected by overnight delays for certain causes.

United Airlines flight delay compensation policy

According to the DOT, United commits to rebooking passengers on other United flights or partner airlines and will provide meal vouchers for passengers affected by delays over three hours for certain causes, as well as hotel accommodation and ground transportation for passengers affected by overnight delays for certain causes.

Southwest Airlines flight delay compensation policy

According to the DOT, Southwest commits to rebooking passengers on other Southwest flights and will provide meal vouchers for passengers affected by delays over three hours for certain causes, as well as hotel accommodation and ground transportation for passengers affected by overnight delays for certain causes.

JetBlue flight delay compensation policy

JetBlue has an escalating compensation structure. The minimum compensation is $50 in travel credits after a three-hour departure delay, and the credit adjusts upward by $50 for every additional hour. The credit maxes out at $200 for delays of six hours or more.

Once passengers have boarded the aircraft, the compensation structure is $100 in credit for a delay between three and five hours, $175 in credit for a delay between five and six hours, or a $250 credit for a delay of six hours or more.

Passengers are also entitled to compensation if they are delayed on the ground upon arrival, with a $50 credit for a delay of one to two hours, a $125 credit for a delay of two to three hours and a $200 credit for a delay of three hours or more.

As with other airlines, JetBlue will also rebook passengers on other JetBlue flights or partner airlines and will provide meal vouchers for passengers affected by delays over three hours for certain causes, as well as hotel accommodation and ground transportation for passengers affected by overnight delays for certain causes, according to the DOT.

Spirit Airlines flight delay compensation policy

According to the DOT, Spirit commits to rebooking passengers on other Spirit flights and will provide meal vouchers for passengers affected by delays over three hours for certain causes, as well as hotel accommodation and ground transportation for passengers affected by overnight delays for certain causes.

Frontier Airlines flight delay compensation policy

According to the DOT, Frontier will rebook passengers on other Frontier flights and will provide meal vouchers in the event of delays under certain causes that last for three hours or more.

Alaska Airlines flight delay compensation policy

According to the DOT, Alaska commits to rebooking passengers on other Alaska flights or partner airlines and will provide meal vouchers for passengers affected by delays over three hours for certain causes, as well as hotel accommodation and ground transportation for passengers affected by overnight delays for certain causes. The airline also offers credits, travel vouchers or frequent flyer miles for departure delays lasting three hours or more.

Hawaiian Airlines flight delay compensation policy

According to the DOT, Hawaiian commits to rebooking passengers on other Hawaiian flights and will provide meal vouchers for passengers affected by delays over three hours for certain causes, as well as hotel accommodation and ground transportation for passengers affected by overnight delays for certain causes.

What else should travelers know?

The three biggest pieces of advice experts offered were to join the airline's frequent flyer program, take the earliest flight out if possible and buy travel insurance.

“I advise all my clients to purchase travel protection," said Howard, from Travel by Shaiy. Even if an airline doesn't compensate you following a delay, travel insurance may reimburse you for expenses like rental cars or hotel rooms that you incur as a result.

She added that it's a good idea to get the airline's app ahead of your trip and speak to the gate agent during the delay.

Marc Casto, president of Flight Centre Travel Group, said it's also important to pay attention to which kind of ticket you purchase.

Advice for travelers: How to track and use your airline credits

"At the stage of buying, I would encourage travelers not to buy the cheapest fare. Those are the most likely passengers to get bumped," he said.

Casto also said flyers should try to resolve their issue through the app or a messaging platform, which is usually faster than calling the customer service number or waiting in line at the airport.

Booking through a third party like Expedia or Orbitz can also add a layer of complication if something goes wrong, Howard and Casto said, because airlines usually require passengers to make changes and file complaints through their booking agent, and the websites sometimes have different rules around compensation.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are you entitled to compensation if your flight is delayed?