Claim meals, hotels and rebooking an airline promised after a controllable delay
US airlines publish what they'll provide when a cancellation or delay is their fault. DOT (US Department of Transportation, which enforces airline refund rules) tracks it on FlightRights.gov.
Part of: How to get a refund for a cancelled or delayed flight
1. Copy this prompt
Paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Grok (the free versions work), then replace the [highlighted brackets] with your details. Leave out account numbers and SSNs.
My flight [AIRLINE, NUMBER, DATE] was [delayed X hours / cancelled] because of [REASON GIVEN]. I paid for [MEALS / HOTEL / TRANSPORT]: [AMOUNTS]. 1) Tell me how to check whether [AIRLINE] committed to cover these for controllable disruptions on DOT's dashboard. 2) Draft a short reimbursement request citing the commitment and attaching receipts. 3) Tell me what to do if they say the cause was weather.
2. Follow these steps
(stored only in your browser; uncheck to erase)
What to expect, and what to do if they say no
What happened when people tried it
- We haven't verified a real-world example for this one yet, so it's a tool guide plus a prompt. Tried it? Tell us what happened (link below).
Why this works
The problem: Stranded travelers pay for meals and hotels themselves without knowing the airline committed to cover them.
How AI helps: AI can check your airline's commitments on DOT's dashboard and draft a reimbursement request with your receipts.
Tools & what they cost
| Tool | Cost |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Free option available (Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this) Free tier; paid plans available |
| Claude | Free option available (Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this) Free tier; paid plans available |
| FlightRights.gov (DOT dashboard) | Free (No cost at all) Free |
What do these labels mean?
- Free No cost at all.
- Free option available Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this.
- Costs money You pay a set price or subscription.
- Takes a cut of savings Charges a percentage of what it saves you.
- Time · Difficulty Our estimates for a typical first try, not guarantees.
- Reported What the linked source says happened, often self-reported. Your results will vary.
Watch out for
- No verified AI-specific success story yet. This is a how-to guide built on official sources.
- Weather and air traffic control delays usually aren't covered by these commitments.
Was this helpful?
Tried it? Tell us what happened, good or bad. We read every reply and may share success stories (only with your OK).
Sources
- https://flightrights.gov/
- https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-cancellation-delay-dashboard
Last verified 2026-10-19. Not financial, legal, tax or medical advice. Disclaimer.