For next time: http://www.dailycandy.com/travel/article/30060/Fight+for+Your+Flight
"Here’s the deal: If flight troubles are due to mechanical difficulties or airline incompetence," (read as: not enough pilots around who can legally fly, or other non-weather issues) "and another airline can get you to your destination sooner, the original airline is obligated to transfer you. No, this doesn’t include weather delays. But once the sky clears, the airline should book you on the next flight. All the big legacy carriers have a Rule 240 provision, but some low-fare flyers do not (like JetBlue, though we love their Bill of Rights)."
It's hit or miss, but it's always worth a shot, and it beats showing up at 2:30 AM.
(Unless y'did throw a 240, at which point it's "oh well".)
Rule 240?
"Here’s the deal: If flight troubles are due to mechanical difficulties or airline incompetence," (read as: not enough pilots around who can legally fly, or other non-weather issues) "and another airline can get you to your destination sooner, the original airline is obligated to transfer you. No, this doesn’t include weather delays. But once the sky clears, the airline should book you on the next flight. All the big legacy carriers have a Rule 240 provision, but some low-fare flyers do not (like JetBlue, though we love their Bill of Rights)."
It's hit or miss, but it's always worth a shot, and it beats showing up at 2:30 AM.
(Unless y'did throw a 240, at which point it's "oh well".)