Last month, I had a similar experience, a 7 hour delay (SJC-MSP) in which I missed my connect to PIT. I received $100. I also received 3 meal vouchers, lunch/dinner in SJC and breakfast in MSP.

During the wait, I sat next to a lady who was not an Elite member and she showed me what she received, $50 and one meal voucher.

I assume they gave more to elite passenger (PM) then a general passenger.

Upon completion of my trip, I sent the following email.

"On Dec 2, 2010, DL 2088 was delayed for 7.5 hours. Although I received a $100 certificate, I am requesting further compensation (i.e. a $200 certificate). Because of the delay, I missed my Friday morning meeting in PIT and will need to schedule another trip (in January). I realize that Delta is not responsible for consequental damages, so this would be a matter of goodwill. Also, when I arrived at MSP (1 am), the hotel provided (Radisson Bloomington), did not run a shuttle (after midnight). Another passenger and I took a taxi to the hotel (split the $21 fare). Could I receive reimbursement for this? Thank you for your consideration."

The next day, I received the following email.

"Thank you for sharing your concern regarding your recent experience while traveling with us. On behalf of everyone at Delta Air Lines, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused when our flight was irregular and finally you incurred additional expenses.

I can recognize your annoyance and the distress you have gone through when our flight was delayed for mechanical reasons. I am sorry your travel was negatively affected as you missed an important meeting.
However, please know that safety is the number one consideration in the operation of our flights, but despite our best efforts, we sometimes face unscheduled maintenance issues. When this occurs, we take the necessary actions to comply with all company and government airworthiness standards before returning the aircraft to service.

We regret that circumstances have forced you to form this impression of our services. We recognize that quality customer service is essential to the continued success of our company. You can be assured that your comments will receive the close attention they deserve. Nevertheless, I would like to personally assure you that I have documented your comments in detail and have forwarded to our appropriate departments and Customer Service leadership team for internal follow up. We want to ensure that we are providing the very best service to our customers. Accordingly, as a gesture of goodwill, I will be requesting a check from our bank in the amount of $21.00 for the expenses you incurred. Please allow up to 30 business days for the check to arrive in the mail.

Ultimately, I do not want your substandard experience to be last impression of our service. We really value your Platinum Medallion loyalty and as a gesture of apology for the flight disruption and the expenses you incurred, I have additionally issued our $200.00 electronic Transportation Credit for you, which may be used toward future Delta travel. I also encourage you to add Delta Air Lines to your receiver list so the voucher document is not misdirected to your spam folder.
E-TCVs are valid for one year from the date of issue. If redeemed at delta.com, they will not incur a transaction fee. Fees will apply if the e-credits are redeemed through any other Delta location. You will be receiving a receipt for e-credit, along with the terms and conditions, in separate e-mail.

Your comments are an exceptional reminder to us of the importance of doing our best every day to meet the needs of our customers. As an Elite member, you are an integral part of our customer base and we are always interested in your feedback. Thank you for taking the time to write and we will always welcome the opportunity to be of service."

Hope this is helpful. Good Luck.

I did attempt to do so, but everything was pretty much zeroed out due to all the weather. Plus, there's not much service from SMF, and all SFO/SJC/OAK flights were filled up.

I did call DL because I didn't realize I was issued a $50 voucher until I checked my SM profile... that's when the "guidelines" came in play.

I'll try writing to Corporate and see what they say, if you feel it's worth the try.

My general experience with airlines is that you get the best results by sending a real letter, the old fashioned kind with a stamp and everything, to customer relations. That way you don't end up with some sub-contracted indifferent response.

Yes compensation, amount of meal voucher and quality of hotel is dependent on your medallion status.
My brother and I with different companies on different business at different cities return to our last connection home late due to IRROP and missed the last flight. He is FO and the hotel/meal/compensation offered him was quite a bit less than mine.

He made FO on segments.

My most recent experience is that DM/PM get $200 for a delay of 5+ hours, and $100 for less than 5. GM and lower get $50/$100 (I think). (If it's DL's fault, of course!) The official reason for my delay was "Pilot not available".

That's the "unpublished" compensation table. Of course, anything can be negotiated, but if you get less than the above, I'd be SURE to try for more!!

Not if you're traveling on most TATL or TPAC awards with a connection...

ROFL +1^

As an FO, I recently received a $75 e-credit for a delay of 1.5 hours and a misconnect (for which I received hotel, and 4 $6 food vouchers) due to an "issue with the lavs" (according to the pilot).

I was able to negotiate with DL and got $150. Much better!

Thanks!

In addition to the original $50 they provided you?

I was on a flight Monday that was delayed by mechanical, forcing me to overnight in MSP. When I arrived at MSP, I got my boarding pass for the connection on Tuesday -- the machine spit out a bunch of vouchers for a hotel, breakfast, dinner and transportation. Since I already booked a hotel in MSP when I knew the connection would miss, I went to that hotel and showed them the voucher -- they didn't quite know what to do with it.

In the end, I didn't use any of the vouchers (breakfast was free at the hotel).

How does the hotel voucher work? Does DL have to make the arrangements?

Friday night was on DL2182, SNA-MSP. We sat at the gate for over an hour and were told that we were waiting on paperwork to push off, nothing was wrong with plane. Finally get underway and arrive at MSP with just minutes until connecting flight to DTW. Of course, we came into C and DTW flight is out of F. Sprinted across terminal with about 5 others from SNA flight to arrive at gate 3 minutes after scheduled departure, just in time to watch plane pushing back. Can't believe they wouldn't hold flight for that many people. Anyway, gate agent was completely unsympathetic, just directed us to customer service center near F1. Got hotel and 2 $6 meal vouchers. Needless to say, not terribly pleased with the "world class service". Worth writing a TTU or should I just expect a canned response?

You will get a canned response and 7500 ish miles. Worth doing for sure.

Never actually done one... should I use this? http://www.delta.com/emailus/servlet/EmailUs?cmd=go

Or is there a better avenue?

Which hotel did they put you at?