Bad weather this winter continues to wreak havoc on flight schedules. So what do you do when your flight is cancelled because of Mother Nature? Start with preparation before you leave home, know what you are entitled to (and not entitled to), and act as quickly as possible.

Preparation

1. Have the phone numbers for each major airline programmed into your phone or written down.

2. Don’t pack your coat in your checked luggage. If you have to venture outside of the airport without your bags, you’ll be grateful.

3. Toiletries, a change of clothes, and medications should be in your carry on; you’ll need them when you get stranded.

4. Know your frequent flier numbers and passwords; We’ll touch more on this later.

5. Have airline flight alerts set up on your phone/email; you’ll want to know as soon as possible when your flight is cancelled so you can react as quickly as possible. Available seats on later flights go quickly when there is a cancellation.

6. Conduct some research before you leave home on other flights that may be available in case you were to miss your connection or should your flight be cancelled.  Expertflyer.com gives that information in real time.

Know Your Rights as a Passenger

When it comes to cancellation due to weather, there just aren’t many. The airlines just basically have to get you to your destination on the next available flight with seats but that could be for hours or even days.

Airlines are not required to provide you with a hotel room, ground transport, or meals.

They may provide you with a discount code/coupon so you can secure your own room at a discounted “distressed” rate.  If you do receive a discount coupon for a hotel, save the information as it can be used again in the future.

Do not plan on the airline utilizing other airlines to get you to your destination either, although I have experienced both an occasional hotel room and alternate flights booked on other airlines when one has top elite status. My recent cancelled flight situation this week resulted in neither, even with top elite status.

Take Action on Your Own

As soon as you know your flight is cancelled, get on the phone with the airline and get in the line to see the gate agent. Many times you’ll get the airline on the phone long before you reach the gate agent but just in case, you’ve got two options working at once.

You can also try to access your reservation online and see if alternate flight selections are available for you to select. Once you’re re-booked, check back with the airline for earlier flights. Many times, full flights open up due to travelers securing other travel arrangements.

If it looks like you’re going to be stranded for a while and you’ve exhausted all options with the airline, it’s time to take matters into your own hands.

Credit Card Options

Rather than wait to be rebooked, you can:

• Use your rewards or cash to buy a new ticket. The airline you are on may have cancelled all of its flights, but others may be flying (now or at least days or hours sooner than another airline).
• Pay for a one-way rental car
• Rent a room at a nearby hotel, or one that you earn rewards with (not the one you have a voucher for).

If you have one of these cards you can combine rewards with a reimbursement. Here is a list of travel delay benefits on several great rewards cards.

Card	Benefit active after:	Reimbursed expenses:	Includes award tickets:
Citi Prestige Card	3 hours	$500	Yes
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®	3 hours	$500	Yes
The Platinum Card® from American Express If enrolled in optional $9.95 delay protection*	4 hours	$250 per person	No
The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN If enrolled in optional $9.95 delay protection*	4 hours	$250 per person	No
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card	6 hours	$500	Yes
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	12 hours	$500	Yes
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card	12 hours	$500	Yes
United MileagePlus® Explorer Card	12 hours	$500	Yes
United MileagePlus® Explorer Business Card	12 hours	$500	Yes
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®	12 hours	$500	Yes

 

The American Express Option: *It’s worth mentioning that American Express’ delay protection not only gives you $250 coverage per person after four hours, the benefit also covers several other people in your party:

• yourself
• your partner
• your children [up to age 25]
• up to five Supplementary Cardmembers, their partners and their children.

That results in thousands of dollars in protection and can give you a lot more options. Unfortunately, new cardholders cannot enroll in delay coverage at this time. But if you already are enrolled or are travelling with someone who is, this benefit can come in handy.

The Chase Alternative: If you aren’t enrolled in American Express’ travel protection program, Chase cards are another great option. Any flight that you purchase with them results in $500 of reimbursement per person after 12 hours. If you’re traveling with a large family, especially during the holidays when weather can be terrible, that can result in thousands of dollars in reimbursement which can make any changes in travel plans a lot easier to stomach.

And because this does cover award flights, you can take advantage of a handsome sign-up bonus and fly with at least a little assurance that you’ll have other options if your flight is delayed.
How Does Delay Reimbursement Work?: In most cases (although you’ll want to read all terms carefully) you simply keep all of your receipts and submit them for reimbursement after the trip.
For added protection, it may pay to ask the gate or lounge agent for a military excuse. This official airline document is irrefutable evidence of your delay, printed on airline ticket stock and available for civilians. Insurance companies love them. You’ll be reimbursed either by a statement credit or check, usually within the month.

 

Do you have any suggestions for travelers when their flight is cancelled due to weather?