Quantcast

Maximizing $12 meal vouchers during airport delays

Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Downgraded on a flight? Take these simple but important steps to get your money back
Delta Offers Over $2 Million to CRJ Crash Passengers
Maximizing $12 meal vouchers during airport delays
Research
Webp uefmsw7k0lt5f20uxuve40u9xjr0
Airbus A380 | Airbus

The Department of Transportation has urged airlines to revert to the practice of offering meal vouchers during long delays, specifically those deemed 'controllable' such as mechanical issues. This policy is now part of customer commitment documents and incorporated into contracts of carriage, making it enforceable. Policies are also summarized on a DOT dashboard.

United Airlines has automated the process of distributing meal vouchers. Eligible customers receive a text from the airline, eliminating the need to stand in line or request it.

Determining eligibility for these vouchers is straightforward under the new guidelines. However, there is little discussion about the value of these vouchers, which typically amount to $12—a sum that does not go far in an airport setting.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

One traveler expressed frustration on social media: "My flight out of SGF was scheduled to leave at 10:52a. I'm still here @ 2:42p. It might get here at 4:50p. I was given a $12 meal voucher, but that barely covered 1/2. I've had 3 connecting flights rescheduled. This isn't okay…" tweeted Cheyenne K (@CMCtheCHEROKEE) on August 29, 2024.

A practical tip for maximizing the value of these meal vouchers involves adding them to a Starbucks card. This method works across various airlines including American Airlines and United. The reason this trick works is that the voucher is essentially a single-use credit card number restricted to specific merchant codes. Other food vendor apps may also be compatible.

In some cases, travelers may not even need the voucher if they have access to airline lounges or other premium lounges like Capital One, Chase, or Centurion lounges, or if they choose to leave the airport during their delay.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Panasonic Avionics Corporation has announced a new agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to equip the airline's upcoming Boeing 777X fleet with its Astrova in-flight entertainment solution.

May 10, 2025

Earlier today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in favor of Charlene Carter, a flight attendant who had filed a case against Southwest Airlines and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556.

May 9, 2025

Delta Air Lines and Korean Air have announced plans to enhance their partnerships with WestJet by acquiring minority equity stakes in the Canadian airline.

May 9, 2025

First Officer Jeff Miles realized a lifelong dream when he joined his mother, Captain Michelle Miles, in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Kahului, Maui.

May 9, 2025

Federal Express Corporation, commonly known as FedEx, has announced plans to enhance its UK operations with the establishment of two new logistics hubs.

May 9, 2025

What a wonderful surprise occurred at the Flying Food Group IAD facility when the team from Prologis Plaza in Sterling, VA, organized an ice cream truck visit.

May 9, 2025