By Dee-Ann Durbin -
The Associated Press
Thousands of travelers have been stranded at airports across the United States this week after massive flight cancellations and sudden rescheduling, as a severe winter storm continues to sweep across much of the country.
According to the FlightAware flight tracking service, more than 2,800 flights had been canceled in the United States as of Tuesday morning, mostly from Southwest airlines, and the problems are likely to continue at least until Wednesday.
Staying calm and knowing your rights can go a long way if your flight is cancelled, experts say.
Here are some of his tips for dealing with an unexpected cancellation:
They canceled my flight.
Now what?
If you still want to reach your destination, most airlines will rebook you for free on the next available flight, as long as it has capacity, according to the US Department of Transportation.
If you want to cancel the trip, contact the airline.
If you want to cancel, you are entitled to a full refund, even if you have purchased non-refundable tickets.
You are also entitled to reimbursement of baggage costs, seat selection and other extras.
Hundreds of bags at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) due to airline cancellations, in San Francisco, California, United States, on December 23, 2022. Getty Images
Kurt Ebenhoch, a former airline executive who advocates for consumer rights, stresses that travelers are entitled to a refund, not just a credit for future travel.
If you accept credit, he advises, be sure to learn about the dates you must use it before it expires and other usage restrictions.
Will I have to pay more to change a flight reservation?
Major airlines including Delta, American, Southwest, Air Canada, Alaska, Frontier and Spirit are waiving extra charges for new reservations after cancellations due to the storm, giving travelers more flexibility to change plans.
But Ebenhoch says travelers should read the fine print carefully.
For example, if you book a return flight outside of the window set by the airline, you may have to pay the difference in the cost of the flight.
Can I ask to be put on a flight with another airline?
Yes. Airlines are not required to put you on another airline's flight, but they can and sometimes do, according to the Department of Transportation.
Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, recommends looking
for alternative flights
while you wait to contact an agent.
Agents are often under a lot of pressure on the phone when a flight is cancelled, so giving them some options helps.
They investigate the Southwest airline for the cancellation of 70% of its flights
Dec 27, 202202:47
Ebenhoch also suggests looking for alternative airports that are close to the original destination.
Does the airline have to offer me a hotel room or other compensation?
No. According to the Department of Transportation, each airline has its own policy regarding customers whose flights have been cancelled.
But many airlines offer accommodation, so you should check with yours.
What to do in the face of long waiting times to rebook?
If anyone you're traveling with has frequent flyer status with the airline in question, use the special customer number to call the airline, Ebenhoch advises.
You can also call the airline's international helpdesk, as those agents can make changes to reservations.
How to avoid problems in the future?
Ebenhoch says that nonstop and morning flights are usually the most reliable, as long as they are available.
If you're worried about getting to the airport in time for a morning flight, consider staying at a hotel connected to the airport the night before.
And consider flying off-peak dates: This year, the US Transportation Security Administration expects
large airport crowds on December 30
, for example.
Hundreds of thousands of travelers continue to be stranded at airports in much of the US.
Dec 27, 202202:04
Klee recommends comparing airline policies on this official Department of Transportation website.
He also suggests booking multiple flights and canceling unused ones, as long as the airline refunds the money or converts it into a credit toward a future flight.