Winter weather can upend even the most carefully planned travel arrangements, but one thing you don’t have to fret about is losing money if your flight gets canceled: U.S. airlines are required to…
A winter storm began causing chaos across parts of the country on Saturday, with 12,200 weekend flights and counting being canceled. Forecasters warned that catastrophic damage, particularly in areas hit by ice, could occur.
Here’s a guide for winter travelers as flight disruptions pile up:
Keep an eye on weather forecasts
When airlines anticipate that bad weather will cause flight problems, they often give travelers the opportunity to postpone their trips for a few days without incurring a fee. Search online using your airline’s name and “travel alerts” or similar phrases to look for possible rescheduling offers.
For example, American Airlines stated that it is waiving change fees for passengers affected by the storm and adding extra flights across the country to help passengers reach their destination after the storm passes.
Check before going to the airport
Use the airline’s app to confirm that your flight is still on schedule before heading to the airport.
Cancellations can happen hours—or even days—before departure time. Consider American and Delta Air Lines: By midday Saturday, each carrier had canceled more than 1,000 of its scheduled Sunday flights, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.
Oklahoma’s largest airport closed on Saturday, while Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport, a major hub, saw more than 700 departing flights canceled and nearly as many arriving flights called off. Flight disruptions were also piling up at airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
FlightAware data indicated that disruptions were expected to intensify on Sunday. By late Saturday afternoon, nearly all departing flights scheduled to leave Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Sunday—405 flights, or about 95%—had already been canceled. Significant disruptions were also forecast for airports in Charlotte and Atlanta, home to the nation’s busiest airport, as well as New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, where 87% of Sunday’s departing flights had already been canceled.
My flight was canceled, now what?
If you’re already at the airport, stand in line to speak with a customer service representative. If you’re still at home or in your hotel, call or go online to get in touch with your airline’s reservations staff. In either case, it helps to research alternative flights while you wait to speak with an agent.
Most airlines will rebook you on a later flight at no additional cost, but it depends on the availability of open seats.
Can I get booked on another airline?
You can, but airlines aren’t obligated to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including most of the largest carriers, say they can place you on a partner airline, but even then, it might not always work out.
Am I owed a refund?
If your flight is canceled and you no longer want to take the trip, or you’ve found another way to reach your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money—even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled. The airline might offer you a travel credit, but you’re entitled to a full refund. You’re also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades, or other extras that you didn’t use.
When will I get my refund?
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, if you paid with a credit card, a refund is due within seven business days after you decline an offer from the airline for another flight or a voucher, and within 20 calendar days if you paid for the ticket with a check or cash.
What else will my airline cover?
U.S. airlines are required by the Transportation Department to compensate passengers for meals or lodging when an airline cancels or significantly delays a flight during an “uncontrollable” event like bad weather.
However, each airline does have its own policies for assisting passengers stranded by a so-called “controllable” flight cancellation or long delay. These include disruptions caused by maintenance issues, crew shortages, or computer outages that halt operations. The Transportation Department can hold airlines accountable for these commitments and maintains a website where travelers can see what each airline is required to do if a major disruption is its fault.
Other tips
If the weather forecast is concerning, Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, suggests considering booking a backup flight. Some airlines stand out as potential backups, Potter says, because they allow customers to get a full refund as long as they cancel within 24 hours of booking.
The customer service phone lines will be overwhelmed if flight cancellations and delays start piling up during a severe storm. If you’re traveling with someone who has a higher frequent-flyer status, call the airline using their priority number. Another tip: Look up the airline’s international support number. Those agents can often rebook you just as effectively.