What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled, according to experts?

When your travel plans suddenly veer off course, figuring out what to do next can feel like a struggle.

Let’s say you flight canceled Because of a hurricane you either have to ride another hurricane or find a hotel to spend the night, and of course you don’t want to pay for all of this out of pocket. Are you talking to the gate agent, trying to find the airline by phone like everyone else, or is this here? travel insurance are you coming in?

This is quite alarming, considering that 29 percent of the 281.7 million air passengers in the United States had a flight delay last summer, and 2.2 percent of them were delayed by more than three hours. AirHelp’s 2023 surveya passenger support organization.

It found that most travelers who experienced significant disruptions, such as a delay of two hours or more or a flight cancellation, 70 percent spent extra money on travel, accommodation or meals instead. separate survey By AirHelp by 1,363 people.

“Without knowing their rights, it is difficult for passengers to understand the steps they need to take to get a refund due to flight interruption,” said CEO Tomasz Pawliszyn. Air Assistance. “Now with stronger protections in place in the U.S., it is even more important for travelers to know how much they are owed in the event of a disruption and what steps they need to take to receive compensation when they are eligible.”

Here’s how you can get help from airlines and travel insurance if your flight is disrupted.

What should I do if my flight is cancelled?

Even if you have travel insurance, talk to the airline first, according to co-founder Stan Sandberg. Travel Insurance.com.

Because the Ministry of Transport requires airlines Providing passengers with a refund to their original form of payment if their flight is canceled for any reason and they do not choose to take an alternative flight. If you want to take another flight, the airline will help you rebook.

Pawliszyn agrees, adding that you should go directly to the airline’s customer service desk at the airport. “If you’re already at the airport, this is probably the quickest way to get help,” he added. “Airline staff can assist with rebooking and other options.” Have your flight details, booking numbers and ID ready to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

If the line is already long, you can contact the airline through a phone call or its mobile app, such as United Airlines’ chat feature.

Many carriers also provide tools for customers to handle their own rebooking through the airline’s app or website.

After speaking with the airline, contact your travel insurance provider’s emergency number; because this trick can help with extra expenses or financial losses if you miss the cruise or need a hotel for a night. “Whatever emergency you’re facing, there are experts on the other side of that call,” Sandberg said.

Travel insurance coverage varies, but providers often bundle protections for unforeseen events into a single plan; so you’re likely covered for things like accidental deaths, travel interruptions, or baggage delays. “The biggest ones are that it will protect your wallet in case of an emergency that causes you to miss (your trip),” Sandberg said.

It’s in your best interest to find out what’s covered before your trip begins, so you know exactly what you can claim for. “Go to a comparison website to create a quote and review available plan options,” he added. You can also call travel insurance companies before purchasing and tell them what you’re worried about and how you can get that coverage.

What should I do when my flight is delayed?

As with cancellations, contact your airline as soon as possible. Under DOT’s new rule, you may be entitled to a full refund if your flight is significantly delayed. DOT was recently identified significant delays It will be more than three hours for a domestic flight or more than six hours for an international flight, and it also now requires airlines to refund passengers in the same way as for cancellations if the person chooses not to travel on the delayed flight or chooses an alternative itinerary from the airline. Previously, compensation was at the discretion of airlines, making it a bit confusing for passengers to understand how much they were owed.

The DOT also included flights that “change significantly,” such as “departures or arrivals from a different airport, increases in the number of connections, situations where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service, or connections at different airports or flights on different dates.” different aircraft that are less accessible or less suitable for a disabled person.”

How can I afford my hotel or meals while I wait?

Airlines may provide overnight accommodations or meal vouchers, but this is not guaranteed. Travel insurance may help cover these additional costs, depending on your policy; so if you have insurance, call them and see what is included in your coverage.

Once you hear your flight has been canceled or delayed, Pawliszyn recommends “requesting the airline tell you the reason for the disruption” so you can keep a record. Be sure to keep documents such as pictures and screenshots of boarding passes, notifications from airlines, and receipts. “To ensure travelers receive the most reimbursement, it is always wise to gather the necessary evidence to support your eligibility claim,” he said. This will also be useful if you are claiming travel insurance.

Note that there may be some requirements before insurance kicks in, such as a minimum delay period and a daily payment limit; so make sure you fully understand your policy beforehand.

What should I do if my luggage is lost or delayed?

If you find that you cannot regain your luggage when you arrive at your destination, head to the luggage counter to notify the airline.

The good news is that you will get some of your money back. Airlines must pay compensation Maximum liability limits of US$3,800 for domestic and US$1,780 for international for reasonable, verifiable and actual incidental expenses that passengers may incur during the delay of their baggage POINT. If your bag is lost outright, airlines must compensate you for its contents, taking into account depreciation and maximum liability amounts.

According to the new DOT rule, passengers also have the right to receive a refund for the checked baggage fees they paid if their luggage is not returned to them within 12 hours for domestic travel or 15-30 hours for international travel, depending on the length of the trip. .

A travel insurance plan with a comprehensive policy such as travel interruption coverage can also help. “If you lose your luggage and it gets delayed, you have to buy a bunch of stuff to make up for it,” he said. “Save all your receipts to file a claim on the backend to get a refund… If you have documentation and are somewhat organized, the process is quick and easy.”

What should I do if my flight is cancelled?

What should I do when my flight is delayed?

How can I afford my hotel or meals while I wait?

What should I do if my luggage is lost or delayed?

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