The thrill of summer vacation, or any vacation, can quickly turn into a nightmare if an airline delays or cancels your flight.
As hundreds of thousands of travelers have already discovered in the weeks since Memorial Day, a canceled flight can instantly cause panic and dread. That canceled flight can also cause all kinds of ripple effects in your trip.
In 2021, major U.S. carriers canceled more than 103,000 flights, according to statista.com, a company providing data on the global economy. Remember, that’s during the pandemic when fewer flights were operating.
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While you don’t have control over the status of your flight, experts say there are a few things you can do to try to lessen the chance that your flight is canceled.
Preflight Check
Before you book your flight, check its on-time performance percentage. The U.S. Department of Transportation required larger U.S. airlines to post the info their websites.
Airlines are also required to provide special notice for flights that had serious delays or cancellations.
When you decide on your flight, go ahead and program the airline’s customer service phone number into your cell phone. You’ll be ready to make a quick phone call to the airline to rebook if needed, while others are still standing in line at the airport.
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If there is a long wait time, another trick is to call and international customer service line for the airline, if it has one. Fewer people will think to call a line in Canada for help on a domestic flight in the U.S.
Booking
Time is critical.
JoAnne Weeks is a travel advisor at Acendas Travel. She said the best thing you can do is to book an early morning flight. While you may dread the early alarm clock, you’ll thank yourself later in the day.
Weeks said if the early flight is canceled, you’ll have more options available to rebook or fly standby that day.
She also suggests booking direct flights, if available. Weeks said direct flights eliminate the potential of missing a connecting flight, if one is delayed, It can also prevent you from being stuck at an airport if the second leg of your flight is canceled.
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Depending on your destination, a direct flight may not be an option. If that’s the case, Weeks suggests trying to book flights with longer layovers. She said a longer layover will provide additional buffer if the first leg is delayed.
Emergency Plan
Think about a backup plan before you leave home. Do you have a cash stash to cover an extra night at a hotel, if needed?
Does the airline have later flights available? Are the rest of your plans flexible or do you need to try to quickly book a flight on another airline?
If you have a plan to answer these questions, you will be better equipped to handle a canceled flight.
Insurance
Insurance can save you thousands of dollars if you experience trouble during your trip, but you need to buy the right policy for your trip.
Make sure you know exactly what the policy covers before you pay for it, and check for a clause that addresses COVID-19.
If you are concerned about canceled flights, buy a policy that covers hotel stays and meal costs in the event of a canceled flight.
You’ll also want to check to see if the policy covers the costs of something like an entire cruise if you miss embarkation due to a delayed or canceled flight.
Passenger Rights
The U.S. Department of Transportation implemented a so-called passenger bill of rights, but it doesn’t protect passengers against flight delays or cancelations.
The DOT said most airlines will rebook travelers on their first available flight to their destination, but that’s not guaranteed.
Each airline has its own policies about delayed passengers. Some will cover meals and hotels, depending on the circumstances. Others won’t.
“Contrary to popular belief, for domestic itineraries airlines are not required to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled,” the U.S. Department of Transportation explained.
The DOT said airlines are only required to provide compensation for domestic trips when they bump a passenger from an oversold flight.
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If a delayed flight is significant, find out if another carrier has space and ask the original airline if they will endorse your new ticket. There is no rule requiring them to comply.
However, if you buy a ticket on another airline, you should be reimbursed for at least part of the ticket. Be prepared to fill out an online form describing why you believe you should be reimbursed. You’ll also need to provide proof that you bought a new ticket.
Let Someone Else Handle It
If this all gives you a headache, let someone else handle it.
JoAnne Weeks with Acendas Travel said you can always work with a travel advisor or agent to book your trip. Then, if your flights are canceled you have someone to contact to rebook and reschedule for you.
Hopefully, if you’re armed with this info, you’ll be able to actually claim your baggage and enjoy your next vacation!
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