≈ 30 minutes · 6 moves

I HAVE 30 MINUTES. WHAT DO I DO?

Six moves. One action at a time.

Step 1 of 6

  1. RIGHT NOW

    You are here

    Get in the desk line — and open the airline app — at the same time.

    DO THIS

    Get in the desk line AND open the airline app — do both.

    Show details & sources
    • Get in line and open the airline app at the same time — the desk line protects your place while the airline app gets you options faster.
    • Ask the agent in this order: (1) Is this delay/cancellation within the airline's control (maintenance/crew) or weather? (2) Rebook me on the next available flight — any airline — and is my seat confirmed, not standby? (3) Will you cover a hotel tonight if I need one, and meals while I wait?
    • Weather and air-traffic causes are generally NOT covered for meals/hotels at any major U.S. airline — but always ask; agents have discretion.
    • You must be given the chance to deplane after 3 hours on the tarmac (domestic) or 4 hours (international) — that is a DOT rule, separate from hotel/meal perks.
    • Source: DOT pack §7 gate-agent script; §1.2 tarmac rule; §5 per-airline CSP quotes.

  2. BEFORE YOU LEAVE

    Confirm rebooking and lodging before you leave the desk.

    DO THIS

    Leave only after they confirm a seat — not standby.

    Show details & sources
    • Get the rebooking confirmation IN WRITING (app itinerary or email) before leaving the desk.
    • Ask whether your checked bag will be automatically transferred to the new flight; if not, collect it before leaving the terminal.
    • If you'll need a hotel, ask if the airline provides a voucher first — only book yourself if they say no (and keep the receipt for later reimbursement claims).
    • If the airline caused the problem (crew/maintenance, not weather), Major U.S. airlines typically commit to free rebooking, meals after ~3h wait, and hotel+transport for overnight — ask for the voucher, don't assume it's offered.
    • Source: DOT pack §5 (AA verified 2026-08-26, Delta verified 2026-09-16), §7 receipts list.
    • ⚠️ United and Southwest specific amounts NOT re-verified 2026-09-16 (site unreachable from research network) — do not show dollar figures for them until QA re-verifies.

  3. TONIGHT

    Book a place to stay tonight.

    DO THIS

    Book a hotel with an airport shuttle — bed and transportation in one place.

    Show details & sources
    • ORD (lastVerified 2026-07-09/10): Hilton Chicago O'Hare (connected to T1, $179–$399), Hyatt Regency O'Hare (free 24h shuttle, $159–$299, next to Rosemont CTA stop), Chicago Marriott O'Hare (free 24h shuttle, $149–$279), Sheraton Suites (free 24h shuttle, $139–$259), DoubleTree (free 24h shuttle, $129–$249), Embassy Suites (free 24h shuttle, cooked-to-order breakfast included, $149–$279).
    • MDW (lastVerified 2026-08-11): Chicago Marriott Midway (free 24/7 shuttle, pickup Door 4 lower level, $140–$250), Holiday Inn Express & Suites (free 4AM–midnight shuttle, free breakfast, $120–$200), Hampton Inn Midway (free 24/7 shuttle, free hot breakfast, $110–$190), Hilton Garden Inn (free 24/7 shuttle, $120–$220), Hyatt Place ($130–$220), Fairfield Inn & Suites ($100–$170).
    • All hotel cards in plan-results show shuttle availability+hours, pickup point, check-in time, breakfast, rate range, and phone — trust the card, confirm nothing extra.
    • Most ORD/MDW hotel shuttles run 24/7 or until ~midnight/1 AM. After 11 PM call the hotel to confirm the shuttle is still running (MDW tip in data).
    • Source: ord-data/hotels.json, mdw-data/hotels.json.

  4. GET THERE

    Pick what fits: shuttle, train, ride, or taxi.

    DO THIS

    Shuttle: follow the signs. Downtown: CTA train — fast, runs 24/7.

    Show details & sources
    • ORD → downtown: CTA Blue Line from Terminal 2 lower level, 24 hours, $5 flat from O'Hare, ~40–50 min to Clark/Lake (researched 2026-07-09).
    • ORD → downtown taxi: flat rate $40–$55 set by City of Chicago (researched 2026-07-09).
    • ORD rideshare: pickup at Terminal 2 lower level Door L2; ~$35–$55 downtown, ~$10–$20 to Rosemont hotels; surge possible after midnight (researched 2026-07-09).
    • MDW → downtown: CTA Orange Line via covered walkway, 24/7, $2.50 (no ORD-style surcharge), ~25–30 min to the Loop (researched 2026-08-11).
    • MDW → downtown taxi: metered, ~$35–$45 + tip (no flat rate at MDW) (researched 2026-08-11).
    • MDW ↔ ORD: GO Airport Express shared shuttle, Door 4 lower level, starts 3:30 AM every 15 min, ~$30/person (researched 2026-08-11).
    • Rental cars at MDW are on-site (no shuttle needed); at ORD via ATS or rental shuttle. Most desks 6 AM–11 PM.
    • Source: ord-data/transportation.json, mdw-data/transportation.json.

  5. TOMORROW

    Reconfirm, sleep, arrive early.

    DO THIS

    Open the airline app — confirm a seat, not standby.

    Show details & sources
    • Set an alarm: TSA checkpoints at MDW close after the last departure (~9–10 PM) and reopen ~3:30–4:00 AM; ORD food options after ~9:30 PM close inside security — which is exactly why you got the hotel/breakfast plan.
    • If your flight is very early, confirm the hotel's breakfast hours or grab something before you leave.
    • When you return to the airport, go to the correct terminal for your NEW airline — a rebook on another airline may mean a different terminal at ORD.
    • Keep the rebooking email/app screenshot — it's your proof for any later expense claim.
    • Source: MDW TSA hours (strandedServices.insider_tips.tsa_checkpoint_hours, researched 2026-08-11); ORD overnight food note (insider_tips.food_and_coffee_24_hours).

  6. MONEY

    Check coverage before you pay.

    DO THIS

    Check the airline's policy before paying out of pocket.

    Show details & sources
    • Federal refunds (regardless of cause): if your flight is cancelled or significantly changed — generally departing/arriving ≥3h off-schedule domestically, ≥6h internationally — you may choose a full refund instead of rebooking, even on a non-refundable fare. Refund due within 7 business days (card) or 20 days (other). 14 CFR 260, verified 2026-09-16.
    • No federal entitlement to meals/hotels: those come from each airline's customer service plan, and mostly only when the disruption is the airline's fault. DOT 2025-12-10 guidance also excludes unscheduled maintenance tied to an airworthiness directive from the 'airline's control' bucket — so lower expectations for AD-maintenance delays and just ask.
    • Save receipts for: hotel, meals, transport, toiletries — reimbursement depends on them. Also screenshot the cancellation/delay notice and the reason the agent gives.
    • If denied: ask for the agent's name/ID and the reason code, then you can file a DOT complaint later (transportation.gov/airconsumer).
    • Source: DOT pack §1.1 (refunds), §2 (no meals/hotels entitlement), §3.1 (AD maintenance carve-out), §7 (receipts + complaint path).
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