I can't seem to find any explicit rules on this. Here are the salient facts. Wife and I were returning from our trip June 20. Last leg was DL 5202, scheduled to depart ATL for SDF at 2:40 pm. When preparing to pull from gate, pilots discovered a mechanical problem. Short story was we deplaned and waited in gate area for about an hour at GA's request, but after a bit more than an hour, the flight was canceled.

When the mechanical problem was first announced, I immediately called the Medallion desk from the plane. The CSR said the best she coud do was to protect us on DL 5196 departing at 8:15 pm, which she did. Soon as 5202 was canceled, we went directly to a CSR station where we checked in and printed boarding passes for 5196. I then asked the CSR for dinner vouchers ($7 each promptly printed) and additional compensation. After she confirmed that the delay was indeed a mechanical, she began to make various offers beginning with 1000 FF miles each. Eventually we agreed to $100 electronic vouchers for each of us.

My question centers on what is appropriate for the circumstances I have described. Are there written Contract of Carriage regulations that specify compensation under various circumstances? Or are we expected to negotiate individually for the best deal we can get? Should I have asked for $200? Maybe $300 and a Lexus?

A final point never mentioned. We purchased A fares for this trip and were originally in First on this final trip leg. Alas, that was lost twixt ticket purchase and flight thanks to an equipment change as part of DL's ongoing effort to downsize itself out of existence. Should I have .....ed about that too? Your advice please!

lex