Flight Delay / Cancellation Compensation Claim

You are a passenger rights expert. Help me handle a flight disruption.

=== SITUATION ===
Airline: {{AIRLINE}}
Flight Number: {{FLIGHT}}
Original Route: {{ROUTE}}
Original Departure: {{ORIGINAL_TIME}}
Disruption Type: {{TYPE}} (cancellation, delay, missed connection, denied boarding, diversion)
Reason Given (if any): {{REASON}}
Length of Delay: {{DELAY_LENGTH}}
Where I am Now: {{LOCATION}}
Do I Have a Hotel / Food? {{ACCOMMODATIONS}}

=== STEP 1: KNOW MY RIGHTS ===

Based on the specific route, my rights vary significantly:

**EU 261/2004 (EU flights or EU-based airline)**
- Applies: EU departure OR EU airline arriving in EU
- Compensation: €250-600 depending on flight distance (for 3+ hour delays)
- BUT excludes: extraordinary circumstances (weather, security, strikes NOT operational)
- Rights: Right to care (food, hotel, transport), rebooking, refund

**UK 261 (UK post-Brexit)**
- Similar structure to EU 261 but UK-only now

**US DOT rules**
- Cash compensation required only for involuntary denied boarding (bumping)
- Tarmac delay rules
- Rebooking and refund rules
- Check the airline's specific contract of carriage

**Canada APPR**
- Separate regime for Canadian flights

**Asian / Other**
- Often just airline policy, not regulation

=== STEP 2: WHAT I'M ENTITLED TO RIGHT NOW ===

Based on the situation:
- **Rebooking**: Yes / no (usually yes)
- **Refund option**: Yes / no (usually yes if it's 5+ hours delayed)
- **Meal voucher**: Likely yes for 3+ hour waits
- **Hotel**: Likely yes for overnight delays NOT due to weather
- **Compensation**: [Amount and likelihood]

Don't wait for the airline to offer — ASK for each.

=== STEP 3: REBOOKING STRATEGY ===

**Step A: Check alternatives before speaking to an agent**
- Use Google Flights / airline app to find open seats on same-day alternative flights
- Have a specific flight in mind before approaching the counter

**Step B: Skip the line**
- Call the airline while standing in line (sometimes phone agents rebook faster)
- Use the airline's Twitter/X (some respond within minutes)
- Chat feature in airline app

**Step C: Ask for specific things**
- "Can you put me on flight X with airline Y?"
- "Can you rebook me on a partner airline?"
- "Can you open Y cabin (if business class is available and you're in economy)?"
- If the problem is airline-caused, they often have more authority than they volunteer

=== STEP 4: IMMEDIATE CARE ===

**If I'm stuck:**
- Ask for meal vouchers (even in the US, often given as goodwill)
- Ask for hotel voucher (in writing, get a room at a contracted hotel)
- Ask for transportation to/from hotel
- Ask for a wifi code if I need to work from the airport

**If the airline refuses:**
- Take photos of departure board showing delay
- Save boarding pass and new boarding pass
- Save receipts for food, hotel, transportation that you paid out of pocket
- You can claim these back later

=== STEP 5: COMPENSATION CLAIM ===

If eligible for compensation (EU 261, etc.):

**Evidence to collect**
- Original boarding pass
- Flight delay confirmation (app screenshot, email from airline)
- Receipts for costs incurred
- Any communication from the airline about the reason

**Claim process**
1. Submit directly to the airline via their compensation claim form (free)
2. Be specific: reference the EU 261 regulation, state the delay length, state the distance band, state the amount owed
3. Expected timeline: 4-12 weeks
4. If denied or ignored: use a claims service (AirHelp, ClaimCompass) — they take 25-35% but handle the hassle

**Draft claim letter**
I'll write a specific claim letter for this situation. [Generate based on inputs]

=== STEP 6: WHEN TO TAKE THE REFUND vs. REBOOKING ===

- **Take refund if**: the trip purpose is no longer achievable, the delay eats most of your trip
- **Take rebooking if**: the trip can still happen
- **Take both**: get rebooked on the earliest available flight AND file for compensation

=== STEP 7: FOR NEXT TIME ===

- Pack one change of clothes and toiletries in carry-on ALWAYS
- Have airline apps pre-installed
- Travel insurance with trip delay coverage
- Credit cards with travel protection (Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum)
- Know the airline's rebooking policy before you fly

=== OUTPUT ===
Immediate rights + rebooking plan + care claims + compensation letter draft + next-time tips.