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Flight Delay Credit Card Checker: Card Rules by Delay Length

Pick your card and enter how long the flight was delayed. The checker compares the delay with the time rule in that card’s own terms and shows the payout cap, who is covered, which causes count and the claim deadlines. Every figure was read from the issuer’s page or Guide to Benefits on October 17, 2026, and the link is listed next to it.

Below the checker: the best cards for flight delays, ranked and what each airline owes you.

Use the delay the airline announced. The answer checks the time rules only; the other conditions are listed with it.

Best credit cards for flight delay coverage (2026)

This ranking uses only what each card's own trip delay terms say. The terms were read from each issuer's page or Guide to Benefits on October 17 and 18, 2026, and the ranking is as of October 18, 2026. Three rules set the order, in this order:

  1. The delay needed. Fewer hours first. At the same hours, a card that also pays when the delay forces an overnight stay comes first.
  2. The most it pays. A higher cap first. At the same cap, a cap per traveler (or per ticket) comes before a cap per trip.
  3. Time to claim. More days to notify the benefit administrator, then more days to send the documents.

Annual fees, rewards and sign-up offers are not part of the ranking.

  1. 1. Chase Sapphire Reserve

    Delay needed: More than 6 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler

    Claim deadlines: Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days

    Ranked above Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business: the same on every ranked rule, so the two are in alphabetical order.

    Source: Chase Sapphire Reserve Guide to Benefits (effective 10/1/24); Chase: "Chase Trip Delay Reimbursement: What to know" (read October 17, 2026)

  2. 2. Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

    Delay needed: More than 6 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler

    Claim deadlines: Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days

    Ranked above Capital One Venture X: the same time rule and the same $500 cap, with 60 days to notify instead of 30.

    Source: Chase card page: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business; Chase Guide to Benefits BGC11585 (read October 18, 2026)

  3. 3. Capital One Venture X

    Delay needed: More than 6 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per ticket; one claim per covered trip

    Claim deadlines: Call the Benefit Administrator within 30 days of the delay; return the signed claim form and documents within 90 days

    Ranked above American Express Platinum Card: the same 6-hour rule, and a delay that forces an overnight stay also qualifies; American Express Platinum Card has no overnight-stay rule.

    Source: Capital One Visa Infinite Guide to Benefits (version dated 2022-10-01), linked as "Guide to Benefits" on the Venture X page (read October 17, 2026)

  4. 4. American Express Platinum Card

    Delay needed: More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule)

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months

    Claim deadlines: Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days

    Ranked above Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card: the same on every ranked rule, so the two are in alphabetical order.

    Source: American Express Platinum Card page, "Trip Delay Insurance"; American Express Guide to Benefits, Trip Delay Insurance (6 hours, $500) (read October 17, 2026)

  5. 5. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

    Delay needed: More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule)

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months

    Claim deadlines: Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days

    Ranked above Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: the same on every ranked rule, so the two are in alphabetical order.

    Source: American Express - Trip Delay Insurance Coverage & Terms (card list linking each card's Guide to Benefits); American Express Guide to Benefits, Trip Delay Insurance (TD500); Delta SkyMiles Reserve card terms (read October 18, 2026)

  6. 6. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

    Delay needed: More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule)

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months

    Claim deadlines: Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days

    Ranked above Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card: the same on every ranked rule, so the two are in alphabetical order.

    Source: American Express - Trip Delay Insurance Coverage & Terms (card list linking each card's Guide to Benefits); American Express Guide to Benefits, Trip Delay Insurance (TD500) (read October 18, 2026)

  7. 7. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

    Delay needed: More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule)

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months

    Claim deadlines: Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days

    Ranked above The Business Platinum Card from American Express: the same on every ranked rule, so the two are in alphabetical order.

    Source: American Express - Trip Delay Insurance Coverage & Terms (card list linking each card's Guide to Benefits); American Express Guide to Benefits, Trip Delay Insurance (TD500) (read October 18, 2026)

  8. 8. The Business Platinum Card from American Express

    Delay needed: More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule)

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months

    Claim deadlines: Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days

    Ranked above Bilt Obsidian or Bilt Palladium Mastercard: the same time rule, and up to $500 instead of $300.

    Source: American Express - Trip Delay Insurance Coverage & Terms (card list linking each card's Guide to Benefits); American Express Guide to Benefits, Trip Delay Insurance (TD500) (read October 18, 2026)

  9. 9. Bilt Obsidian or Bilt Palladium Mastercard

    Delay needed: More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule)

    Most it pays: Up to $300 per trip; 1 claim per 12 months

    Claim deadlines: Report the claim within 60 days; send the documents within 180 days

    Ranked above Aeroplan Card (Chase): it pays after more than 6 hours instead of 12.

    Source: Bilt card page (benefits by card); Bilt Obsidian World Elite Mastercard Guide to Benefits; Bilt Palladium World Legend Mastercard Guide to Benefits (read October 18, 2026)

  10. 10. Aeroplan Card (Chase)

    Delay needed: More than 12 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler

    Claim deadlines: Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days

    Ranked above Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: the same on every ranked rule, so the two are in alphabetical order.

    Source: Chase card page: Aeroplan Card (Chase); Chase Guide to Benefits BGC11365 (read October 18, 2026)

  11. 11. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

    Delay needed: More than 12 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler

    Claim deadlines: Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days

    Ranked above United Club Card: the same on every ranked rule, so the two are in alphabetical order.

    Source: Chase card page: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless; Chase Guide to Benefits BGC11398 (read October 18, 2026)

  12. 12. United Club Card

    Delay needed: More than 12 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler

    Claim deadlines: Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days

    Ranked above United Explorer Card: the same on every ranked rule, so the two are in alphabetical order.

    Source: Chase card page: United Club Card (Visa Infinite); Chase Guide to Benefits BGC11581 (read October 18, 2026)

  13. 13. United Explorer Card

    Delay needed: More than 12 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler

    Claim deadlines: Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days

    Ranked above United Quest Card: the same on every ranked rule, so the two are in alphabetical order.

    Source: Chase card page: United Explorer Card; Chase Guide to Benefits BGC11386 (read October 18, 2026)

  14. 14. United Quest Card

    Delay needed: More than 12 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler

    Claim deadlines: Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days

    Ranked above Chase Sapphire Preferred: the same 12-hour rule, and a delay that forces an overnight stay also qualifies; for Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase says only that such a delay may be covered.

    Source: Chase card page: United Quest Card; Chase Guide to Benefits BGC11386 (read October 18, 2026)

  15. 15. Chase Sapphire Preferred

    Delay needed: More than 12 hours; Chase says delays that require an overnight stay may also be covered

    Most it pays: Up to $500 per eligible person per trip

    Claim deadlines: Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days; the administrator then tells you which documents to send

    Ranked above U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card: the same 12-hour rule, and Chase says a delay that forces an overnight stay may also be covered; U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card has no overnight-stay rule.

    Source: Chase: "Chase Trip Delay Reimbursement: What to know" (read October 17, 2026)

  16. 16. U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

    Delay needed: More than 12 hours (no separate overnight rule)

    Most it pays: Up to $300 per ticket; one claim per covered trip

    Claim deadlines: Call the Benefit Administrator within 30 days of the delay; return the signed claim form and documents within 90 days

    Ranked above American Express Gold Card: the same time rule and the same $300 cap, counted per traveler instead of per trip.

    Source: U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card page; U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Guide to Benefits (Visa Signature) (read October 18, 2026)

  17. 17. American Express Gold Card

    Delay needed: More than 12 hours (no separate overnight rule)

    Most it pays: Up to $300 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months

    Claim deadlines: Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days

    Ranked above Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card: the same on every ranked rule, so the two are in alphabetical order.

    Source: American Express Gold Card page, "Trip Delay Insurance"; American Express Guide to Benefits, Trip Delay Insurance (12 hours, $300) (read October 17, 2026)

  18. 18. Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

    Delay needed: More than 12 hours (no separate overnight rule)

    Most it pays: Up to $300 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months

    Claim deadlines: Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days

    Source: American Express - Trip Delay Insurance Coverage & Terms (card list linking each card's Guide to Benefits); American Express Guide to Benefits, Trip Delay Insurance (TD300) (read October 18, 2026)

Not ranked: Citi Strata Premier or Strata Elite. Citi lists Trip Delay Protection among the travel protections of both cards: the Strata Premier gained it in May 2024 and the Strata Elite launched with it in July 2025. Neither card page states the hour threshold or the payout limit; they are in the Guide to Benefits on Citi's card benefits site, which did not let us read it automatically. Check it there before you rely on the benefit.

If your card is not on this list

Trip delay rules by card, side by side

CardDelay neededMost it paysWho is coveredClaim deadlines
Capital One Venture X More than 6 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay Up to $500 per ticket; one claim per covered trip You, your spouse and your dependent children under 22 Call the Benefit Administrator within 30 days of the delay; return the signed claim form and documents within 90 days
Chase Sapphire Reserve More than 6 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler You and your family members as the guide defines them (spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, grandparents and others); they do not need to travel with you Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days
Chase Sapphire Preferred More than 12 hours; Chase says delays that require an overnight stay may also be covered Up to $500 per eligible person per trip You and your immediate family members Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days; the administrator then tells you which documents to send
American Express Platinum Card More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule) Up to $500 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months You, plus family members and traveling companions whose trip was charged to the card Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days
American Express Gold Card More than 12 hours (no separate overnight rule) Up to $300 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months You, plus family members and traveling companions whose trip was charged to the card Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days
Citi Strata Premier or Strata Elite Not stated on Citi's card pages; set in the Guide to Benefits Not stated on Citi's card pages; set in the Guide to Benefits See your Guide to Benefits See your Guide to Benefits
United Explorer Card More than 12 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler You and your family members as the guide defines them (spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, grandparents and others); they do not need to travel with you Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days
United Quest Card More than 12 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler You and your family members as the guide defines them (spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, grandparents and others); they do not need to travel with you Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days
United Club Card More than 12 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler You and your family members as the guide defines them (spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, grandparents and others); they do not need to travel with you Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business More than 6 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler You, your family members as the guide defines them, and employees of the company the card is issued to; they do not need to travel with you Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless More than 12 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler You and your family members as the guide defines them (spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, grandparents and others); they do not need to travel with you Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days
Aeroplan Card (Chase) More than 12 hours, or a delay that requires an overnight stay Up to $500 per trip for each covered traveler You and your family members as the guide defines them (spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, grandparents and others); they do not need to travel with you Notify the benefit administrator within 60 days of the delay; send the requested documents within 100 days
The Business Platinum Card from American Express More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule) Up to $500 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months You, plus family members and traveling companions whose trip was charged to the card Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule) Up to $500 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months You, plus family members and traveling companions whose trip was charged to the card Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule) Up to $500 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months You, plus family members and traveling companions whose trip was charged to the card Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule) Up to $500 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months You, plus family members and traveling companions whose trip was charged to the card Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card More than 12 hours (no separate overnight rule) Up to $300 per trip; 2 claims per card in any 12 consecutive months You, plus family members and traveling companions whose trip was charged to the card Notify the administrator within 60 days; send written proof of loss within 180 days
Bilt Obsidian or Bilt Palladium Mastercard More than 6 hours (no separate overnight rule) Up to $300 per trip; 1 claim per 12 months You, authorized users, your family members as the guide defines them and traveling companions on a trip bought with the card Report the claim within 60 days; send the documents within 180 days
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card More than 12 hours (no separate overnight rule) Up to $300 per ticket; one claim per covered trip You, your spouse and your dependent children under 22 (under 25 if full-time students) Call the Benefit Administrator within 30 days of the delay; return the signed claim form and documents within 90 days

What the airline owes you first

Card trip delay coverage pays after the airline. So start with the airline: U.S. rules give you a refund in some cases, and each large U.S. airline has published what it does when it caused the problem. Read on October 18, 2026 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the federal rule text.

When you can get your money back

  • Cancelled flight: if the airline cancels, for any reason, and you choose not to travel, you are owed a refund. That includes weather.
  • Significant delay: the same refund applies when the new arrival time is 3 hours or more later on a domestic trip, or 6 hours or more later on an international trip. A different airport, more connections or a lower class of service also count as a significant change.
  • Only if you do not fly: if you take the delayed flight or accept a rebooking, a credit or a voucher, the DOT refund rule no longer applies.
  • What you get: the fare plus taxes and fees, back to the original form of payment. A credit or voucher only if you agree to it, and it must stay valid for at least five years.
  • How fast: within 7 business days if you paid by credit card, or 20 calendar days for other payment.
  • Booked through an online travel agency: the company on your card statement (the merchant of record) issues the fare refund.
  • Checked bag fee: refunded if the bag arrives more than 12 hours late on a domestic flight, or more than 15 hours late (30 hours if the flight is over 12 hours) on an international one. File a mishandled baggage report first.
  • Cash for your time: no U.S. rule requires it. DOT withdrew its proposal for delay compensation on November 17, 2025, and none of the nine airlines below commits to cash.

What each airline promises when it caused the delay or cancellation

These promises cover delays and cancellations within the airline's control, such as maintenance or crew problems, cabin cleaning, baggage loading and fueling. Weather and air traffic control are not covered. The meal, credit and miles promises apply to a wait of 3 hours or more. Since December 10, 2025, DOT does not enforce these promises when the cause is maintenance ordered by an FAA airworthiness directive. A DOT rule published September 3, 2026 takes ten more causes out of the airline's-control category; its start was delayed to February 1, 2027.

AirlineRebook on its own flightsRebook on another airlineMeal, 3h+Hotel and transport, overnightCredit or voucher, 3h+Miles, 3h+Cash
Alaska Airlines Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Allegiant Air Yes No Yes Yes No No No
American Airlines Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
Delta Air Lines Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
Frontier Airlines Yes No Yes No No No No
Hawaiian Airlines Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
JetBlue Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Southwest Airlines Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No
United Airlines Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No

From DOT's Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard (page last updated September 11, 2025). The airline name links to its own customer service plan, which can be newer than the dashboard and is what binds the airline. "No" means the airline has not committed to it; it may still offer it.

Where each figure comes from

Each card figure above was read from the issuer's own page or Guide to Benefits on the date shown with it. Issuers revise these documents; the Guide to Benefits in force when your delay happens is what governs a claim.

What the time rule does not settle

  • The cause. Each card lists the causes it accepts, such as inclement weather or equipment failure. A delay for another reason does not qualify, however long it lasts.
  • How the fare was paid. Chase and Capital One accept part of the fare on the card or paid with its rewards. American Express wants the whole round trip on the card, with points or eligible vouchers allowed alongside it.
  • Who pays first. These benefits pay after the airline and any other insurance, so meals or a hotel room the airline already provided are not paid twice.
  • The first deadline. It is short: 30 days to call for Capital One, 60 days to notify for Chase and American Express.
  • Your own document. Issuers revise their terms, and older accounts can carry different ones. The Guide to Benefits for your card, in force on the day of the delay, decides the claim.

Guides for each card

Hotelsca US is a publisher, not an insurance broker or agent. Our guides are general information, not advice about your own circumstances, and we are not licensed to sell insurance. Coverage varies by insurer, state and traveler — the certificate of insurance issued to you is the only document that determines what you are covered for. Some links on this site are affiliate links; this never affects our coverage or your price.

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