Experience

Tips for dealing with delayed or canceled flights

TB (according to VnExpress) October 22, 2024 13:47

Checking flight times before departure and waiting near the check-in counter to be served early are tips to avoid being stranded if your flight is delayed or canceled.

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Passengers take a nap on the floor while waiting for their flight at Guadalajara International Airport, Mexico on July 14.

There are many reasons why flights are delayed or canceled, such as bad weather, computer problems, staff shortages, peak holiday seasons or air accidents. Here are some tips from travel experts onCNNon "tips" on what to do when your flight is delayed or canceled.

Before going to the airport

Travelers should double-check their flight tickets at home or at their hotel before heading to the airport. This will help them find out if their flight has been canceled or delayed. If there are any changes, they can still wait at home instead of waiting at the airport.

Scott Keyes, founder of travel website Going.com, said airlines give early notice, rather than at the last minute, if there are changes to departure schedules.

Keyes' tip: Sign up for free text alerts from airlines to get flight status updates when you buy your ticket. Also, download the airline's app and enter your flight number directly for faster searches.

If you are at the airport

Sometimes, flight delays and cancellations happen after passengers have arrived at the airport. According to Keyes, passengers should go to the airline counter as soon as possible to get an update on the situation, or change flights because "first come, first served" and there is always a difference between first and last arrivals. Sitting near the check-in counter is also an advantage to be able to update all the information as soon as possible.

How you interact with the check-in staff is also important because "honey attracts more flies than vinegar." Therefore, asking politely for help and showing your sympathy for the unexpected incident is more likely to help you get a good deal.

While waiting, passengers should contact the airline directly via fanpages like X, Facebook instead of calling the hotline, because it will be faster. If you book tickets through an agent, everything is simple because the ticket office staff will support you as quickly as possible.

In addition, if passengers buy tickets not through an agent but through a ticketing website (third party), when there is a problem, you will have to go through them and wait a long time to resolve it. Therefore, experts advise passengers to buy directly from the airline's website if the flight has a transit.

Buy tickets by redeeming bonus miles

Many passengers have a habit of accumulating reward miles to redeem for airline tickets. According to Julian Kheel, CEO of price comparison website Points Path, many airlines in the US allow customers to cancel flights they have booked by redeeming reward miles.

This way, you can book multiple alternative flights on different airlines using your miles in case one of them is delayed or cancelled.

However, passengers should not try to book alternative flights on the same airline as one flight problem could cause other flights to be affected.

What to do when stuck at night

If your flight is delayed to the next day, ask the airline to arrange accommodations or a voucher for you. However, Keyes says airlines “may or may not accommodate passengers,” depending on their policies.

Travelers should book flights with a credit card. Many cards offer travel protections such as refunds if flights are canceled or discounts on hotel rooms and meals.

Consider staying overnight at the airport instead of staying at a hotel if your flight is only delayed but not canceled. This is because traveling to your accommodation can be time-consuming and you may miss your flight if you arrive late at the airport.

If you want to be comfortable, passengers can rent a room at the airport hotels or use the airport lounge service to rest and charge their phones.

However, whatever the decision, experts still emphasize that passengers need to put personal safety as the top priority. If bad weather causes flight delays, passengers should not travel by road to avoid danger.

Buy travel insurance

Passengers should consider purchasing travel insurance. Most insurance policies cover delays and cancellations. Passengers should also keep receipts for meals at the airport or hotel reservations due to delays or cancellations, as they may be able to get a refund from the airline.

TB (according to VnExpress)
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