Cheap fares, be they cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages are great, but they dont help travelers whose flights get cancelled because of inclement weather. Finding a replacement flight after a major snow storm, or other weather related problem, is getting more difficult.
In the last couple of years due to the recession and accompanying decline in people flying, the airlines have responded by aggressively cutting flights, dramatically reducing the number of seats available.
To make finding replacement flights even more challenging, airlines have begun proactively canceling flights even before bad weather even starts. This makes things even more difficult because as additional flights are cancelled even more travelers are trying to get seats on a limited number of future flights.
Some airlines have started offering travelers the option to rebook even before a flight is canceled when airlines expect bad weather to get ahead of the logistical and public relations nightmare caused by weather disruptions.
While airlines dealing with bad weather try to place passengers on an alternate flight or offer a refund if a flight is canceled, they are not required to refund, reroute or compensate passengers for meals or hotel costs, according to the Department of Transportation.
The following are suggestions as to how to best deal with a flight canceled due to bad weather:
Contact the airline in advance of an anticipated storm to see if you can be placed on an earlier flight.
Some airlines, including Delta and United, allow passengers to revise their flight plans on their web sites by clicking on a link in their weather bulletin and typing in their confirmation number.
Consider rebooking with another airline if the airline your ticket is with has no seats available. Although your ticket may cost more you may end up saving money if you have a non-refundable hotel reservation.
Look at travel insurance before you purchase your ticket. Travel insurance often covers things like unused hotel rooms or prepaid deposits for weather related flight cancellations.
If you are told that you will have to pay more money to take a later flight, be polite, but persistent, and ask, if necessary to speak to a supervisor. Supervisors often have significant discretion that they can exercise.
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