Originally Posted by
BenA
I’m actually pretty surprised OP wasn’t offered the opportunity to get on a later flight.
I feel bad for OP, but I don't think he should receive anything from DL. Doing so would "dilute" the entire point of BE fares.
As for the Flat Tire Rule, the spirit of that rule is to give agents leeway to accommodate unforseen circumstances and things outside of the passenger's direct control. IMO, oversleeping doesn't meet those criteria and it seems like the DL agent at OP's airport shared that opinion.