[ChrisH]

He deserves compensation, but be careful how you ask for it. A lot of people's way of asking for compensation, is to demand it, while acting rude. This gets you nowhere. Take it from a current airline employee; if you are polite, you will more than likely be taken care of. If you call ****** off, cursing, and rude, you'll get nothing, but a documented reservation of your behavior, which will follow you, and be seen by all agents, for the remainder of your trip.

If the delay was weather related, a hotel would not have been given. Yes, sometimes an Elite member will be offered a hotel, as a courtesy, when weather delays occur, but rarely is it offered to an economy class customer. It was likely a maintenance issue (computers in the cockpit I assume from the pilots remarks). Agents usually do not offer compensation for maintenance delays, unless asked for. All you need to do is call 1-800-WECARE-2, with your PNR confirmation code, explain to them what happened, and likely they will send you a voucher.