Thousands of travelers have found themselves stranded at airports or stuck on hold trying to book flights this week as a massive storm rumbled travel to the US and Canada Before the holidays.
As of Saturday morning, more than 10,000 flights to or from US airports had been canceled, according to flight tracking service FlightAware.
Wendell Davis, who plays basketball with a France team, was scheduled to fly from Paris to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday. After multiple cancellations, Davis was still at O’Hare Airport in Chicago on Friday. He debated driving in Columbus but decided once morest it. Instead, he booked a hotel room while waiting for a scheduled flight to Cincinnati on Christmas Day.
“Everyone is going through the same issues right now,” he said with a laugh. “We just have to stay positive. Anger is not going to help us at all.
Staying calm and knowing your rights can be very helpful if your flight is cancelled, experts say. Here are some of their tips for dealing with a flight cancellation:
My flight has been cancelled. And following that ?
If you still want to get to your destination, most airlines will book you on the next available flight for free as long as there are seats, according to the US Department of Transportation.
If you wish to cancel the trip, you are entitled to a full refund, even if you purchased non-refundable tickets. You are also entitled to reimbursement of baggage fees, seat upgrades or other extras.
Kurt Ebenhoch, a mainstream travel advocate and former airline executive, stressed that travelers are entitled to a refund, not just vouchers for future travel. If you take a voucher, be sure to ask regarding blackout dates and other usage restrictions.
Do I have to pay a change fee if I change my flights?
Major airlines __ including Delta, American, Southwest, Air Canada, Alaska, Frontier and Spirit __ are waiving change fees during the storm, giving travelers more flexibility when changing their plans. But Ebenhoch said travelers should read the fine print carefully. If you book a return flight outside the window set by the airline, you may have to pay the difference in fares, for example.
Can I request to be booked on another airline’s flight?
Yes. Airlines aren’t required to put you on another airline’s flight, but they can, and sometimes do, according to the DOT. Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, recommends researching alternative flights while you wait to speak to an agent. Agents are usually under a lot of pressure when a flight is cancelled, so it helps to give them some options.
Ebenhoch also suggests researching alternative airports close to your original destination.
Is the airline required to give me a hotel room or other compensation?
No. Each airline has its own policies regarding handling customers whose flights are canceled, according to the DOT. But many airlines offer accommodation, so you should check with their staff.
I am facing a long wait to change reservations. What should I do?
If someone in your travel party is at a higher tier in a frequent flyer program, use the number reserved for that tier to call the airline, Ebenhoch said. You can also try calling an international help desk for the airline, as these agents have the ability to make changes.
How can I avoid this in the future?
Ebenhoch said nonstop flights and morning flights are usually the most reliable if you can book them. If you’re worried regarding getting to the airport in time for a morning flight, he said, consider staying at a hotel connected to the airport the night before. And consider flying outside of busy dates; this year, the US Transportation Safety Administration expects large crowds on December 30, for example.
Klee recommends comparing airline policies on the DOT Services Dashboard. He also suggests booking multiple flights and then canceling those you don’t use, as long as the airline refunds your money or converts it to credit for a future flight.
