This Thanksgiving is expected to be one of the busiest travel holidays on record. AAA projects that 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1 — that’s 1.6 million more travelers than last Thanksgiving.
With the government shutdown behind us, travelers can expect fewer delays and cancellations than they experienced just a few weeks ago. That’s not to say there won’t be some disruptions due to higher volumes of travelers putting a strain on airports and potential weather-related delays, making now as good a time as any to brush up on your airline’s fine print.
What you’re entitled to in the event of a delay or cancellation
Picture this: Your bags are packed, you arrive at the airport, and you’re counting down the hours until takeoff. Then you get an alert that your flight has been delayed, or worse, canceled. For travelers, especially during the holiday season, this can feel incredibly disheartening. Even if there’s a wrench thrown into your travel plans, it doesn’t mean all is lost.
Many airlines offer some compensation in the event of a “controllable” flight cancellation or delay. A controllable cancellation or delay is an event caused by the airline, such as a maintenance issue with your aircraft, a delay due to cabin cleaning or fueling, or a crew-related issue.
In the event of a controllable cancellation or delay, travelers have rights. These may include:
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Rebooking on the same airline at no additional cost
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Rebooking on a partner airline or a different airline at no additional cost
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Meal or meal/cash voucher when a cancellation results in a passenger waiting for three hours or longer for a new flight
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Complimentary hotel accommodations for passengers affected by overnight cancellations as well as complimentary ground transportation to and from hotels
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A credit or travel voucher is issued when a cancellation results in a passenger waiting three hours or more from the scheduled departure time
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Frequent flier miles are awarded when a cancellation results in a passenger waiting for three hours or more from the scheduled departure time
“If a flight gets canceled, consumers have a right to get a full refund,” said Lorelei Salas, former supervision director for the CFPB and former commissioner for the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. “Regardless of whatever the reason is for the cancellation, the airlines can offer you rebooking and/or travel credits or vouchers, but you can say no and ask for your full refund. Also, when there are significant delays or changes in the travel itinerary, consumers are also entitled to a full refund. But that means a delay of — or a change in a flight of — at least three hours if it is a domestic flight and three hours if it’s an international flight.”
Salas said that significant changes aren’t just limited to the scheduled departure time; there are other instances when you have the right to request a full refund.
“Significant changes could also include if the airline decides that you are going to depart from a different airport or arrive at a different airport,” Salas said. “Or in some cases, if you have a disability and the aircraft that was going to accommodate your disability is no longer available, you may also be able to request a full refund on your ticket.”
Until recently, the Trump administration reversed a proposed Biden-era rule that would have required airlines to provide travelers with cash compensation for flight delays and cancellations within the airline’s control. Under this rule, travelers would’ve been entitled to anywhere from $200 to $775, depending on the length of the flight delay.
“The rollback of this rule protecting consumers who are traveling and who are purchasing flights is just the continuation of the administration’s attacks on American consumers to the benefit of the big corporations and the big companies,” said Salas. “The airlines are going to have an incentive to not necessarily invest as much in their customer service and operations if now they have more discretion to change the schedules that they post for consumers.”
Each airline has its own policies regarding what it offers in the event of a delay or cancellation, so it’s important to read and understand the terms and conditions of your booking as well as any voucher you receive.
If your airline has committed to offering some kind of compensation, it can be held accountable by the Department of Transportation. If any airline doesn’t adhere to its terms and conditions, or you have been denied a refund you feel you are entitled to, you have the right to file a complaint with the Department of Transportation.
How your credit card perks can come in handy
Some travel insurance policies can provide you with extra protection if your flight is canceled or delayed, but this isn’t necessarily a guarantee, and your policy may not cover every eventuality.
“A lot of people rely on travel insurance, and they think that maybe that’s going to give them all the protections they need,” Salas said. “A government shutdown itself is not necessarily a covered reason under many policies. So it’s really important that people pay close attention when they’re buying travel insurance — to make sure that there aren’t restrictions on terms that are later going to surprise them.”
The good news is that some credit cards may help fill the gaps if you don’t have travel insurance or your policy doesn’t cover a delayed or canceled flight. These perks may include:
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Reimbursement for hotel accommodations and meals if your flight is delayed
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Reimbursement for the cost of eligible items, such as toiletries and clothing, if an airline or other common carrier causes a delay of six or more hours
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Reimbursement for delays or cancellations caused by severe weather
Contact your credit card issuer or visit their website to learn more about how their travel insurance perks can keep you covered.
