Tips on Dealing With Canceled Flights
1/11/2022 (Permalink)
What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled
A canceled flight ranks as one of the most frustrating experiences travelers can go through. It happens to thousands of fliers each year and never gets any easier. The best way to be prepared is by having a plan in place.
If storms cause you problems at home in Sleepy Hollow, IL, you can contact specialists to help with the cleanup and address the mess. Traveling is a different beast altogether. What do you do if the weather affects your travel plans?
Planning Ahead
No matter where you are, the best storm tips will always come down to planning:
- If possible, don’t fly at all in bad weather.
- Check weather reports at your current location and where you are landing.
- Consider flying direct instead of making more than one stop to lessen the chance of running into a storm cancellation or delay.
- Try travelling with only a carry-on to avoid the hassle of checked bags if you end up rebooking your flight.
- Always arrive at the airport on time even if there has been a delay.
Contacting the Airline
The moment you hear the announcement that your flight has been canceled, you should immediately call the airline. You might be tempted to stay in line, but contacting the airline directly will take some of the wait and inconvenience out of catching another flight.
Ask your airline if it has a canceled flight policy for placing you on an available seat on the next scheduled flight – even if on a different airline. Be sure to also find out about a possible reimbursement from your airline and other types of assistance it can offer.
Finding a Hotel
If you are unable to be rebooked on another flight immediately, it’s important to seek out a place to stay for the night. When you call your airline, see if it can assist with booking a hotel. There are also apps available that can help you find a nearby room.
A canceled flight is often an inevitable consequence of traveling. Planning ahead and being prepared for possible delays is the best way to avoid a terrible day and get yourself safely in the air once the weather allows for it.