I Got Cash Back Because My Flight Was Delayed

A few weeks ago while travelling to Jamaica, I had the worst travel experience ever.  The Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau was experiencing its usual drama with air traffic controllers calling out sick throwing the airport into a state of chaos. Flights were delayed, cancelled and some travellers were caged up on their flights, where they sat for hours.

I was one of the lucky ones that had my flight cancelled, thanks, American Airlines.  As we had already paid for tickets to Jamaica and a pricey hotel, we just couldn’t let our trip go down the drain. We were able to rebook on JetBlue for an evening flight to Florida where we would be able to make it to Jamaica to salvage the rest of our tropical getaway. But, that would be too easy right?

Our 7:00 p.m. JetBlue flight into Florida was delayed, which would’ve been fine had we not spent the entire day in a volatile airport. Of course, I did what any millennial would do, I took to social media and I let JetBlue have it. Before you all look at me sideways and call me unreasonable. Here’s why I did it:

1. We were overcharged for the flight. If you’re going to triple your price, you need to be on time. It’s as simple as that.
2. The flight wasn’t delayed, they simply put other people on our flight. In addition to the airport chaos, one of JetBlue’s planes had broken down, leaving passengers stranded all day. When our flight had arrived, they put their stranded customers on the plane and delayed us. Which would’ve been ok, had they not been shady about it. When we bought our tickets we asked the ticket agent, what time the flight was and she told us 7:00 p.m.  We asked her again she said 9:45 p.m., we didn’t question her because our ticket printed as the 7:00 p.m. In hindsight, it was clear she was privy to what was to come.

I wasn’t the only one with steam coming out of my head trust me. There were travellers going off about the thousands they had paid to rebook their family only to be delayed yet again. The JetBlue counter was a mess! I couldn’t be bothered, so I took my frustration to JetBlue’s Twitter page. I sent a long detailed note about how I was so disappointed in how the airline handled our situation and how I was a valuable customer since inception. I was EXTRAAAAA, but it was warranted.

Minutes later I received a response from one of their social media managers noting my concerns and she said that someone would follow up.  I did not receive any future social media communications but I did receive an email with a generic statement alongside money ($75.00) back due to the delay.  As travellers, we do not fully know our rights and what we are entitled to once airlines don’t live up to their contracts.

If I had not been delayed, I would’ve never known I could get money back from JetBlue.  As a travel blogger, it’s something I probably should’ve known, but I learned on the fly. I am now passing the good news along should you ever find yourself in this situation!

I don’t know if this is applicable to other airlines, or what amount is given back, but I will be investigating and will let you all know.

Would I have known about this had I not complained? I don’t know. What I do know is that it is extremely important for you to have a frequent flyer’s account.  If I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t have gotten this email or had a place for JetBlue to deposit my $75.00!

Also, read the fine print.  I know, ain’t nobody got time for that, but what everybody got time for is cash back! Every airline has a Contract of Carriage that spells out the rights and duties of both the airline and passenger.  Get familiar with it. Since my airport debacle, I have been going through JetBlue’s as it is the airline that I use a lot!

If you’re ever delayed, here is what you’re entitled to.

Have you had luck getting cash back with another airline due to a delay? Let me know in the comments!  If you found this article to be a gem, don’t forget to share the wealth!

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!