What to Do When Your Flight is Cancelled or Delayed
The weather, technical issues, crazy airport drama involving a flight attendant having a breakdown, taking all the mini-bottles of vodka and exiting down the emergency slide can all result in a delayed or cancelled flight. It’s one of every traveler’s nightmares and Getting it’s inevitable. These tips and tricks will help you with what to do when your flight is cancelled or delayed.
Before You Go…
*Program the airline’s customer service direct lines in your cell phone. I say direct lines because you’ll often find the generic 1-800 number makes you run an automated gauntlet of “Press 1 now if you’d like to speak to a random operator who is six states away.” For example, Southwest Airlines has a 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) that will get you to an agent. BUT, you’ll also find a direct number of 214-932-0333 that is the Customer Relations line you will need. If you have the direct line, you’ll save time and your sanity.
*Follow your airline on Twitter/Facebook. Believe it or not, you might find updates, alerts, and even customer service help on social networks.
*Avoid checking bags. Beyond the ever-climbing fees, checked bags are a pain to locate and move if you rebook.
*Research the airline’s delay and cancellation policy. Some airlines offer monetary compensation beyond the U.S. Department of Transportation rule for being involuntarily bumped from a flight.
When the flight is delayed…
*Do not leave! You might have a 6+ hour wait, but things can and do change. The weather might suddenly clear up or that attendant who can’t handle one more request they aren’t legally allowed to accommodate decides to take a vacation and is quickly replaced. Bottom line, the plane is leaving with or without you even if the schedule was altered.
*Call the airline and stand in line. You never know which outlet will be faster in solving your situation.
*Ask about that monetary compensation. It’s as rare as three dollar bill for an airline to offer up cash in the event of a delay or cancellation even if it is their policy. Note that this most often applies to cancelled flights, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
When your flight is cancelled…
*Follow the same steps mentioned in the delayed flight section. Call the airport and get in line to get your new plan arranged, but first…
*Get a room. As soon as you realize you’re not going anywhere, book a room. You are going to be one of the hundreds of disappointed passengers who DON’T want to sleep in a airport chair. There are many apps that can bail you out. A popular choice is Hotel Tonight thanks to the speedy booking at discounted price. You might come up empty, but always call hotels for inventory that isn’t available online.
*Don’t forget to ask for the funds. Some airlines offer to reimburse you for connecting flights or, at the very least, help you rebook.