Just a data point: I ended up stuck in ATL overnight last summer when my DL flight to EZE had a mechanical problem (and apparently DL at its HQ hub couldn't find another plane... But I digress...)

We got put up at a tolerable airport hotel and flew out the next morning. All in all, a 9-hour delay. The airport agent gave me the customer service number, and I called when I got back from my trip to ask about compensation for meals, etc.

The guy on the phone asked how much I spent; I answered around $30 - he had a check mailed out immediately, told me not to worry about sending in the receipts. I also got an offer of 10,000 miles, which I negotiated into a $100 voucher. I do not have and have never had any status with DL at any time.

Just a data point.