Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Airline Rules for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Don't count on airlines to compensate you for canceled flights or delays. They will often state they will take what they call "reasonable measures" to accommodate you. This doesn't always mean they will give you hotel or meal vouchers. You may receive a minimal amount that will not cover your expenses. We had a client recently receive $100 in vouchers during an issue in New York for hotel AND meals. That didn't cover the hotel much less anything else.

Airlines can change flights and don't have to keep your seat preferences. This happened recently to our honeymooners traveling to Hawaii. Their seats were confirmed and when the airline changed their flight without notifying us or the client, they lost their seats. We generally check when receiving flight change notices but they are not always sent. Be sure to periodically check your flight status or ask your agent.

Non-refundable fares mean non-refundable unless there is a weather delay or issue covered in the airline's policy. A no-show doesn't entitle you to compensation. Be sure to read all details when purchasing these discounted fares and consider travel insurance. It may be cheaper than booking the refundable fares and having a peace of mind when traveling during bad weather.

We always recommend travel insurance to help cover any incidentals that the airline doesn't cover for weather or medical reasons. Check with your travel agent for more details! We have great corporate reps to assist you when booking air only. They are familiar with the airline policies and can provide recommendations for your next flight.

No comments:

Post a Comment