Winter weather can disrupt. Here’s what to do if your flight is canceled

Article content

Winter weather often causes flight delays and cancellations. While airlines cannot control the weather, in the United States they are required to provide refunds to customers whose flights are cancelled. Here’s what you should know about your rights, and what you should know when the cancellations start piling up:

Article content

Article content

Keep an eye on the weather forecast

When airlines expect bad weather to create problems for flights, they often give travelers the opportunity to postpone their flights for a few days without having to pay a fee. Search online for your airline’s name and “travel alerts” or similar phrases to look for potential rescheduling offers.

Article content

Check before going to the airport

It’s better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than stranded in an airport lounge, so use airline apps or flight websites to make sure your flight still goes ahead before heading to the airport. Airlines usually cancel their flights hours or even days before departure.

My flight was cancelled. What now?

If you’re already at the airport, it’s time to find another flight. Line up to speak to a customer service representative, and call or go online to communicate with the airline’s reservations staff. It also helps to connect with X, the site formerly known as Twitter.

Most airlines will rebook you on a later flight at no additional charge. But it depends on the availability of open seats. The good news for winter travelers is that they have a better chance of finding a place in January than during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods, when travelers can wait days for a seat.

Can I request a reservation on another airline?

You can, but airlines are not obligated to put you on another airline’s flight. Some airlines, including the majors except Southwest, say they can put you on a partner airline, but even then, it’s often hit or miss. Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, recommended looking for alternative flights while you wait to speak with an agent.

Article content

Article content

Do I owe a refund?

If you no longer want to take the flight, or find another way to get to your destination, the airline is legally obligated to refund your money, even if you purchased a non-refundable ticket. It does not matter why the flight was cancelled.

“They can’t hold you to a coupon, you can get your money back,” Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, told The Associated Press last year. “This means you have to cancel your entire booking, but this may be an easy option for some travelers – especially if you end up booking a flight on another airline.”

You are also entitled to a refund for any baggage fees, seat upgrades or other add-ons that you were unable to use.

Can I get compensation?

U.S. airlines are not required to pay cash compensation and cover lodging and meal costs to stranded passengers, even if the flight cancellation was the airline’s fault — such as a lack of crew, a mechanical problem that grounded the plane, or a computer outage that grounded the airline. Aviation.

The Biden administration said last month it was working on a proposal to change that. Such a rule would make US policy more similar to European airline consumer protections and go beyond current requirements for US airlines to issue ticket refunds.

Article content

With just two weeks left until President Joe Biden leaves office, the fate of additional regulations on airlines will be left in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.

What else will airlines cover?

Each airline has its own policy. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a website that allows consumers to see what commitments each airline makes regarding refunds and other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

Other tips

If the weather forecast is worrying, consider booking a backup trip, says Potter, editor of Thrifty Traveler. Some airlines stand out as potential backups because they allow customers a full refund as long as they cancel within 24 hours of booking.

If too many flights are cancelled, airline agents will soon be overwhelmed. If you’re in a group and one person is at a higher level in the airline’s frequent flyer program, use the number associated with that person to contact the airline. You can also try calling your airline’s international assistance number – usually available online – as these agents can make changes to your itinerary as well.

Be kind. The agent you’re talking to probably deals with a lot of frustrated travelers as well, and yelling at the agent won’t make them want to help you. The cancellation is not their fault.

Article content