
Search for budget-friendly lodging near the airport before your trip. Be prepared to stay longer than you intended.Other tips for traveling during winter storm season Much of that figure was attributed to customer refunds and “gestures of goodwill,” as Southwest offered vouchers to many customers who were affected. For example, Southwest Airlines’ October 2021 meltdown cost the company $75 million, according to its third quarter 2021 earnings report. If the delay is an airline’s fault, you might get compensation. Many airlines are embracing social media as a customer service tool, and account managers may even be equipped to directly help passengers rebook, issue flight credits and more. Learn more about travel insurance if you’re new to the concept. Look closely at the terms and conditions as they vary significantly between plans. If your credit card doesn’t include travel insurance as a benefit, consider purchasing coverage separately. And usually, this type of insurance will cover not just the flight itself, but ancillary expenses, such as an additional hotel night to take a next-day flight. One of the best ways to get money back for canceled flights (or to get reimbursed for additional costs incurred during delays) is booking with a credit card that offers travel insurance.Įxact terms vary by travel credit card, but you can typically expect coverage for flights affected by severe weather. Here are ways to improve your chances of getting a refund for flights interrupted by winter storms or COVID-19: Use a credit card with travel insurance While the flight with the layover might be cheaper, it might not be worth it if weather issues in the layover city are the reason you can’t take off. If it isn’t, try to connect through destinations that are less likely to be affected by bad winter weather (San Diego over Chicago, for example). But if some folks are OK being left behind and catching up later, you improve your odds of getting to your destination, period.įly direct when possible. If one flight has only four seats left but another flight has two, then a search for your party of six wouldn’t show any available tickets. In a pinch, book a one-way ticket and find the return flight later.Īnd, if you’re traveling with others, rather than searching for group tickets, consider searching for individual ones - especially if your group is comfortable splitting up.

Search for one-way, individual tickets and direct flightsĭon’t limit your options by searching for round-trip tickets. Booking tools may help surface an available route you’d otherwise miss. Use booking toolsĮven if you’re accustomed to booking via an individual airline’s website, tools like Google Flights will allow you to quickly compare routes across multiple airlines, nearby airports and selected dates. JSX is a semiprivate jet service, but fares often aren’t much more than commercial airfares. Kennedy International Airport in New York City might be backed up from a blizzard, but that doesn’t necessarily mean nearby airports Newark Liberty International or LaGuardia are out of commission.Īnd look beyond the major airlines. Many major cities are served by multiple airports, so broaden your airport search.

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If your flight is delayed or canceled, here’s how to quickly get on another: Look to other airports No matter the reason, be prepared for last-minute flight changes or cancellations this year.
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Or what if a winter snowstorm prevents you from taking off? Perhaps a coronavirus variant surge forces you to cancel your trip. Hundreds of flights have already been canceled last-minute due to pandemic-related staffing shortages. Making last-minute flight changes can be an enormous stressor amid an already stressful holiday travel season. ( NerdWallet) – Rerouting, rebooking, diverting, you name it.
