Hi FlyerTalkers,
I'm a relative newbie here, and have only had issues with cancelled flights recently, and want to ask what are my rights and how should I act proactively to protect my rights?

Yesterday, my DEN-EWR leg of my DEN-EWR-STU trip had a double mechanical, and was eventually cancelled. United was kind enough to rebook me on a new flight DEN-IAD-EWR (with a relatively late arrival), and EWR-STU the next day, but they did not offer a hotel voucher. When I inquired about a hotel, they informed me to check with EWR when I arrived because only EWR could know what hotels would be available. I double checked this by asking same question to agent in the club lounge at DEN and at IAD.

Of course when I landed at EWR, I was on a late flight, and the arrrival agent sent me to Concourse C (outside of security) where I found no agents on duty. I was on my own for a hotel.

Can you help me understand what my rights are, and what I should have done better to proactively ensure I was taken care of?

Thanks in advance flyertalkers-