Stranded from Blizzard Jonah? Your Credit Card Might Offer Reimbursement!


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With the thousands of flights canceled Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and today there are hundreds of thousands of people who were/are stranded at the airports with no way to get to their destination. Half the people stranded are probably trying to get home on their return flight or hanging out at the airport, while some others are probably thrilled to spend a few extra nights in their warm weather destination! Although the cost of spending extra nights at a hotel can absolutely add up. One credit card perk (primarily offered by Chase, Discover, and Citibank) that is many times forgotten about is travel delay reimbursement.

If you booked your airfare with the following credit cards, you are entitled to these reimbursements:

  • Chase Credit Cards (Hyatt, Marriott Premier Rewards, Marriott Rewards (personal and business), Ritz Carlton Rewards, Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire, Ink Bold, Ink Plus, Ink Cash, United MileagePlus, United MileagePlus Explorer (personal and business)): For delays of 12+ hours or requiring an overnight stay, you and your family can get reimbursed up to $500 per ticket for lodging and meals. From the terms it says you need to purchase either a portion or the entire cost of your airfare using your card.However, I’ve read many mixed results on using miles for your airfare and your Chase card for the taxes/fees. You just need to purchase your out of pocket incidentals with the same card you used to pay for your flight. You need to submit your claim form within 100 days of the flight delay.
  • Escape by Discover Credit Card: For delays of 6+ hours get up to 3 consecutive days of expenses covered of $150 per day for lodging and meals. You can learn more about this here.
  • Citi: If your flight is delayed for $12+ hours, you can get up to $500 in reasonable travel expenses (including hotel, ground transportation, meals, toiletries). If you have the Citi Prestige or Citi AAdvantage Executive card you can get a refund for these expenses if you trip is delayed just 3+ hours. You must purchase your ticket in full on the respective card.  Just paying the taxes/fees on an award ticket will not qualify you for this coverage. You can learn more about this here.

If there are any others that I am forgetting, feel free to list them in the comments section to help out other readers. Make sure to get full documentation of your flight delay or flight cancellation. You will need this information when submitting it to the respective credit card company. Also, make sure to keep all receipts for reimbursement.

I’ve only used this before with Chase and the process went smoothly. If you are flying out of the Northeast in the Winter, for example, it is definitely a good idea to purchase your ticket with one of these credit cards for the delay benefits.

Has anyone used this benefit before and what was your experience?

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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Robert Jones
8 years ago

I just got back to NYC after being stranded by the blizzard for two extra days in Dallas. I probably racked up an extra $350 in CC charges, and it never even occurred to me that I might be eligible for reimbursement with my Citi Prestige card. I’ll be filing my claim today. Just wanted to say a big thank you for this helpful, timely post!

Deb
Deb
8 years ago

Your posts are always very timely. Thanks for regularly passing along great tips.

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