Delayed or Cancelled Flight? Ease the Stress With These Simple Tricks CheapOair Staff August 8, 2016 Air Travel, Travel Hacks, Travel Tips This post was last updated August 12, 2023. So your flight’s delayed or canceled. That sucks. But it doesn’t have to suck that much so long as you’re proactive. We’ve put together a short list of ways to help reduce the possibility of delayed flights, prepare you for when they do (unfortunately) happen, and give you some travel hacks for delayed or canceled flights. Know Your Rights Before you book, even if it’s last-minute travel, you should know your rights. In 2011, the Department of Transportation updated its airline passenger’s bill of rights which states, among other things, that if you’re delayed by two hours or less due to overbooking, you’re entitled to double the price of your ticket in compensation, up to $800. If you’re delayed more than two hours due to overbooking, you can be reimbursed up to $1,300. Also consider purchasing trip insurance when you’re checking out to add a level of confidence that. Some airlines and outlets now offer what’s called a “Cancel for Any Reason” option, which in some cases gives you an easier time getting your money back than insurance does. Figure Out Your Next Move When your flight is delayed or canceled, the ideal situation is to be switched to another flight on the airline that you booked with–free of charge. If that opportunity doesn’t present itself, and you absolutely need to get to your destination by a certain time, check out the flight information board and head to another airline to see if you can purchase a ticket to your final destination. This is certainly the pricier option, so weigh the pros and cons of missing your plans vs. shelling out some extra cash for another flight. You can even try your luck at getting reimbursed by your original airline for the extra purchase. After all, it was their fault that you needed to make that purchase. There is, alas, no guarantee. Know Your Travel Insurance Policy If your flight is canceled due to a natural disaster or your trip destination is affected by one, and you made the right choice and purchased travel insurance, chances are that there will be at least some type of coverage for your flight, whether it’s reimbursement, future travel vouchers, or a replacement flight. Be sure to scour your insurance policy at the time of purchase. Many insurance plans that include trip cancellation/interruption coverage will offer to cover your expenses that were lost as a result of canceling or ending a trip prematurely due to severe weather conditions. But remember…once a storm is named (aka Hurricane Yolanda or Tropical storm Zelda), you can no longer purchase travel insurance to protect against it! If you’re canceling a trip due to a personal injury or emergency, there are certain steps you’ll need to take and restrictions on what you can be reimbursed for depending on the situation and guidelines. The first thing you’ll need to do is gather all your supporting documentation–doctor’s notes, hospital bills, etc. Connect With Your Airline Perhaps the quickest way to be alerted to flight changes, delays, and cancellations is by following your airline on social media or by downloading the company’s app. It’s also a great way to connect quickly if you need to alert your airline to your need to change flights or receive compensation. Airlines are speedy responders on social media, especially because it’s a public forum and they’d like to be viewed as responsive and fair by current and potential clients. You can also reach your airline by calling them, which tends to be quicker than by standing in line, waiting to talk to a stressed-out employee. By calling your airline’s customer service line, you just might catch an employee who may not be having a terrible shift, and see if this person can figure out how to change your flight — all before you move an inch in line at the airport. See If Your Airline Will Swing for a Hotel If hanging around the airport terminal isn’t your thing, call your airline and ask if they’ll foot the bill for a nearby hotel. Mention the inconvenience that their canceled or delayed flight caused you and, if applicable, talk about how much you fly with them or if you’re in their loyalty program. Airlines will often go above and beyond for loyal customers, so might as well flaunt it if you’ve got it. Some airlines will do it, some airlines won’t — but, hey, it can’t hurt to ask! Consider Only Traveling With a Carry-On If your flight is delayed or canceled, this can spell out all sorts of trouble for those who checked their bags. Save yourself the stress by trying to only pack a carry-on when you travel. Think it’s impossible? It’s really not — see how to pack four months into a carry-on with this helpful article. If you’re stuck in an airport, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that everything you need is within sight. Plus, it’ll be nice to change out of those constricting jeans if you need to snooze on an airport lounge chair. Related: Flight Cancelled Due to Weather? Here’s What You Need to Do. Find a Way to Pass the Time If there’s nothing else in your power that you can do to get to your destination, make the most of the extra time by finding a bookstore and settling into a book you’ve been meaning to read, maybe at a quiet café. If you can’t find anything good, remember you can download digital books and audiobooks onto your smartphone. Or, if the airport has any spa facilities, take some time to relax, get a massage, have a mani-pedi or a facial. You could also add steps to your Fitbit goal or recharge your electronics–and yourself–before you eventually board the flight. Be Polite Though it’s hard, try to remember that the flight delays and cancellations are not the fault of the airline employees that you’re dealing with. They’re stressed out, too — think of all the angry customers they’ve been dealing with before they got to you. Keep your cool and treat everyone — employees and your fellow passengers — with care and respect. You’re all in the same boat, so you might as well be nice. Check Your Flight Status Before You Leave You don’t have to wait until you’re at the airport to check your flight status. The easiest way is to download your airline’s app. Many carriers, including American Airlines, offer flight updates along with mobile boarding passes and other perks through their apps. Another option is to check a third-party flight tracker like FlightAware. You can input any flight number and receive real-time updates on its location, speed, altitude, elapsed time, and remaining time. You can even watch your plane flying across a map as it navigates weather patterns and upcoming turbulence! Additionally, you should keep an eye on travel warnings and advisories in general. Seek Help from Other Airlines Some delays affect all outgoing flights, including adverse weather conditions. Other issues might be more localized such as maintenance or crew delays on a specific plane. When it’s the latter, you might be able to switch to another carrier to make it to your destination on time. It can also help if you do your own research about current, available flights and are armed with that knowledge at the help desk. Head to the Airport Early It’s always a good idea to head out early when you’re catching a flight, but this is especially true when you’re worried about delays or cancellations. If the worst comes to pass, you’ll have more time to deal with the situation and make alternative travel arrangements. Hit the Airport Lounge Airport lounges are VIP spaces. They have shorter lines, quieter and more comfortable resting areas, and a higher class of amenities. Depending on the airport, you might be able to eat, shop, sleep, or even take a shower in the lounge. Access to airport lounges is usually restricted to members. You might have to belong to the airline’s loyalty program, or you might need a “gold,” “premium,” or “priority” pass. If you don’t want to become a member, there are certain credit cards that provide airline lounge access to members. These include the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, the United Club Infinite Card, and the Business and Platinum Cards from American Express. Some airports offer the purchase of day passes for their lounges. These are usually a hefty chunk of change, but they can be worth it if your flight delays are extensive! Have any other tips and tricks for dealing with flight delays or cancellations? Let us know in the comments section!
