Since Christmas weekend, thousands of flights were cancelled leaving passengers scrambling for a way home.
It was the result of a chaotic holiday travel season with a turnout that looked like pre-pandemic numbers. According to the American Automobile Association, nearly 113 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, .
Already overwhelmed airports faced another challenge: a huge winter storm which forced airlines to cancel or delay thousands of flights. Southwest, was the major airline that cancelled 5,400 flights in 48 hours, leaving passengers all over the country.
As travelers try to return home, the problem persists. According to FlightAware , more than 3,000 flights had been cancelled on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Additionally, over 5,300 flights were delayed.
Consumers who find themselves in this precarious situation through no fault of their own are left frustrated. There is not much recourse available for consumers who want to recover additional costs incurred by airlines. These airlines are not subject to federal regulations regarding consumer protection.
What happens if my flight gets delayed? What compensation is available from the airline if my flight is delayed?
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, no.
According to the DOT, “There are no federal laws that require airlines to pay passengers money or any other compensation if their flights are delayed.”
While some airlines offer to cover meals and hotel accommodation for long delays, it is not an industry standard. Although the department states that one can request the airline to pay for such expenses, it is at the company’s discretion.
Can I change to another flight?
Maybe. Passengers may request to be booked on a different flight with the same airline. The DOT warns passengers to verify whether an additional charge will be imposed to switch flights or if the fare is higher for the new reservation.
If a seat is available, it is possible to request a place on another airline. The DOT states that there are no federal regulations that require airlines to place you on another airline’s plane or reimburse you if they purchase a ticket from another airline. This could create problems with tracking and flying with checked baggage.
There has been a substantial delay. Can I just get my money back?
Sometimes yes, sometimes not. The DOT does not define “significant delay” so the department will determine if you are eligible for a refund “on a case-by-case basis.”
Eek! My flight was cancelled. What now?
Good news: Most airlines will allow you to rebook on the next flight to your destination for free, provided that there are still seats available. You can be courteous if there are no seats available. The DOT recommends that you request to transfer your ticket to another airline.
One piece of good news is that if you cancel your flight, you are entitled to a reimbursement for any transportation used — even non-refundable tickets. You are entitled to a reimbursement for any bag fees you have paid and any additional items you purchased such as seat assignments.
Try to get your money if you can. Vouchers can be expire, have restrictions, blackout dates and advanced booking requirements, as well as limitations on the number of seats.
I was bumped because the airline had overbooked my flight. What should I do?
These are known as involuntary bumps and George Hobica (founder of airfarewatchdog.com), said NPR that they are rare because many passengers book on other flights.
However, if you are unable to reach your destination by the time you originally planned, you may be eligible for up to $1,550 or 400% of your one way fare, .
I paid for my ticket using a credit card. They can help.
Yes! Yes!
In many cases, benefits programs include trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay insurance and baggage insurance. Credit card companies are able to help travelers arrange new itineraries or reimburse them for expenses such as additional hotel stays or rental cars. CNBC reports that some companies offer trip delay insurance. This covers you if your trip is delayed for a certain number of hours or requires an overnight stay.
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