Flight delay out of USA

Atola

Hi all,

Have a flight delay query, please move if not in right forum. Was delayed coming back from las vegas and therefore missed the connecting flight in Newark to Belfast. Had to stay in Newark for the night until we could get the flight home 24 hours later.

I emailed them to complain about the delay and appalling customer service we got. They have replied with a $200 voucher each for a future flight with them. We wont be going anywhere near America in the next year so flight coupon is useless to us.

AFAIK for a European airliner they have to pay, in this case 600e compensation for a delay like this. Is there anything I can do in this case as the flight delayed was out of usa?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Atlantic Dawn

Your travel insurance should be able to compensate you too.

BuffyBot

Atola wrote: »

Hi all,

Have a flight delay query, please move if not in right forum. Was delayed coming back from las vegas and therefore missed the connecting flight in Newark to Belfast. Had to stay in Newark for the night until we could get the flight home 24 hours later.

I emailed them to complain about the delay and appalling customer service we got. They have replied with a $200 voucher each for a future flight with them. We wont be going anywhere near America in the next year so flight coupon is useless to us.

AFAIK for a European airliner they have to pay, in this case 600e compensation for a delay like this. Is there anything I can do in this case as the flight delayed was out of usa?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

No such rules exist for US airlines flying out of the US. You were lucky to get a goodwill voucher out of them.

As pointed out above, if you had travel insurance, it may cover delays.

Atola

Thanks for the advice. We weren't out much money, just the inconvenience of having to take extra time off work with having targets to meet and arrange babysitters.

Do you think the travel insurance will just cover the costs or offer compensation?

endofrainbow

Atola wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. We weren't out much money, just the inconvenience of having to take extra time off work with having targets to meet and arrange babysitters.

Do you think the travel insurance will just cover the costs or offer compensation?

depends entirely on the type of policy you purchased and also the reason for the delay

Atola

I got a letter from them explaining that it was an unplanned safety problem that led to the delay. Cant remember the exact words but I will find out. My insurance was for cancellation and possessions so I take it this doesn't apply?

Marcusm

Atola wrote: »

Hi all,

Have a flight delay query, please move if not in right forum. Was delayed coming back from las vegas and therefore missed the connecting flight in Newark to Belfast. Had to stay in Newark for the night until we could get the flight home 24 hours later.

I emailed them to complain about the delay and appalling customer service we got. They have replied with a $200 voucher each for a future flight with them. We wont be going anywhere near America in the next year so flight coupon is useless to us.

AFAIK for a European airliner they have to pay, in this case 600e compensation for a delay like this. Is there anything I can do in this case as the flight delayed was out of usa?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Google EC 261/2004 and establish the duty of care which the airline owed you.

endofrainbow

Marcusm wrote: »

Google EC 261/2004 and establish the duty of care which the airline owed you.

not applicable in this instance as United are not a Community carrier (who I'm guessing the OP flew with).

Atola

Marcusm wrote: »

Google EC 261/2004 and establish the duty of care which the airline owed you.

I did look it up and since we flew out of usa this doesn't apply. I cant see anything substantial on united's website about delay compensation. Just wondering if insurance would cover anything.

thebiglad

Atola wrote: »

I did look it up and since we flew out of usa this doesn't apply. I cant see anything substantial on united's website about delay compensation. Just wondering if insurance would cover anything.

Check your policy document or call the insurers claims line and they will tell you quick enough.

Generally travel delay is after 12 hours and then paid in hourly instalments, you will need a letter etc from the airline to prove the delay occurred.

Atola

thebiglad wrote: »

Check your policy document or call the insurers claims line and they will tell you quick enough.

Generally travel delay is after 12 hours and then paid in hourly instalments, you will need a letter etc from the airline to prove the delay occurred.

Finally found out who the insurers were and they say I had minimum cover (booked through lastminute.com) and they didn't cover missed connecting flights because of delays. Back to United again

endofrainbow

United have already offered you vouchers - don't think they will offer to pay compensation also.

BuffyBot

Atola wrote: »

Finally found out who the insurers were and they say I had minimum cover (booked through lastminute.com) and they didn't cover missed connecting flights because of delays. Back to United again

Back to United for what? They're not obliged to offer you a thing as compensation stands under current US rules. The goodwill voucher is about as good as it gets with US airlines.

The fact that your travel insurance wasn't particularly comprehensive isn't their issue.

This is one you need to put down to experience, alas.

keithclancy

United are part of Star Alliance so you could probably book a flight with another Airline via United.

Atola

BuffyBot wrote: »

Back to United for what? They're not obliged to offer you a thing as compensation stands under current US rules. The goodwill voucher is about as good as it gets with US airlines.

The fact that your travel insurance wasn't particularly comprehensive isn't their issue.

This is one you need to put down to experience, alas.

Travel insurance was offered as standard with the package, I usually don't buy it but this time I did without reading the small print.

As for compensation, if they paid my extra parking fee I would be happier than a voucher I will never use that that could potentially cost them next to nothing.

endofrainbow

i think you need to chalk this down to experience - United have already offered you vouchers - whether or not you accept them is up to you . It's also up to you to read the T&C's of ANYTHING you purchase, especially Travel Insurance.

kerry4sam

Thread closed by me.

@Atola, feel free to pm me should you wish to have it re-opened.

Thanks,
kerry4sam