Winter weather causes flight delays and cancellations. Experts have tips on what to do when a storm gets in the way of your travel itinerary. Airlines are required to provide refunds to customers whose flights are canceled for any reason. Airlines will try to put you on a later flight, but it depends on whether there are open seats. Go ahead and ask if the airline will book you on another airline – they're not required to do this, but some airlines will, on a case-by-case basis. As for money beyond your ticket refund, airlines are not required to pay compensation, but the Biden administration is working on a proposal to cover compensation.
A winter storm swept through the eastern half of the United States on Wednesday, disrupting traffic in the air and on highways.
By early afternoon in the East, more than 1,000 U.S. flights had been canceled and another 4,000 delayed, according to FlightAware. The brunt of the cancellations stretched from Denver to Chicago, down to Nashville and east to Buffalo, New York.
Airlines can't control the weather, but they are still 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:
Watch the weather forecast
When airlines anticipate that bad weather will cause problems for flights, they often give travelers the opportunity to reschedule their flight for a few days at no additional charge. Google your airline and “travel alerts” or similar phrases to see deals.
Check before going to the airport
It's better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than stranded in an airport terminal, 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 multitask to find another flight. Line up to speak to an airline 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 airline having empty seats. The good news for travelers this week 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 an open 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, recommends looking for alternative flights while you wait to speak with an agent.
Do I owe a refund?
If you no longer wish to take the flight, or find alternative means to reach your destination, the airline is legally obligated to pay a refund, even if you purchased a non-refundable ticket. It does not matter why the flight was cancelled.
“They can't force you with a coupon; you can get your money back,” says Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler. “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 damages, even if the cancellation was their fault — such as a lack of crew, a mechanical problem that grounded the plane, or a computer outage that grounded the airline. However, the Department of Transportation is working on a proposal to change that when the airline is at fault.
“I know how frustrated many of you are about the service you get from America's airlines,” President Joe Biden said. “That's why our top priority has been offering American air travelers a better deal.”
What else will airlines cover?
There is no federal requirement that airlines bear the costs of hotel rooms or meals for stranded travelers. 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. He says Southwest and Delta stand out as potential backups because they allow customers to cancel and get a full refund as long as they cancel within 24 hours of booking. “Others only allow it when you book at least two or even seven days in advance,” he says.
If you're in a group and one person belongs to a higher level in an airline's frequent flyer program, use the number associated with that person to contact the airline, says Kurt Ebenhosch, a travel consumer advocate and former airline spokesman.
If too many flights are cancelled, airline agents will soon be overwhelmed. Try calling your airline's international assistance number – usually available online – and these agents can make changes to your itinerary as well.
be nice. 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.
