“Question: In light of how the airlines are cutting back their schedules this fall, what can I do — and what recourse do I have — if my flight is canceled?
Answer: As airlines look to cut capacity, a lot are rescheduling passengers on other flights — but some aren’t advising passengers of the changes ahead of time, according to Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com.
But before you even get to the airport, there are several things you can do to prevent a potentially messy experience.
Story continues below ↓advertisement
Banas recommends signing up for alerts through your airline or a booking Web site (such as Orbitz, Travelocity or Expedia) to keep you informed about your flight and any changes. These alerts, which can be directed to an e-mail address, cell phone or PDA, are especially important as your flight time approaches, Banas said.
If your flight is canceled completely for a reason within the airline’s control (read: not weather), Banas suggests being prepared with some information that can get you on another flight as soon as possible.
First, take a look at flights leaving around the time of your departed flight. It’ll save you time and effort at the airport if your flight gets canceled, and will give you a leg up when negotiating for a change to your ticket.
She also recommends printing out the airlines’ “Contract of Carriage” before you arrive at the airport. This contract will spell out what your rights are in the event of a canceled flight.
Fact File
A look at U.S. airlines’ domestic capacity cuts
AirTran Airways: Plans for capacity to fall 7 percent to 8 percent between September and December.
Alaska Airlines: Its parent company has said the carrier’s fourth-quarter mainline capacity will be cut by 5 percent compared with 2007.
American Airlines: Plans to cut its U.S. flying by up to 12 percent after the busy summer travel season ends.
Continental Airlines: Its plans include reducing flights in the U.S. this fall by about 10 percent.
Delta Air Lines: It has said it intends to cut domestic capacity by 13 percent during the second half of the year. A spokeswoman said a good portion of that would come during the fall.
JetBlue Airways: It has said it expects September capacity to be down 10 percent and does not expect to grow next year.
Northwest Airlines: It is planning to cut fourth-quarter consolidated domestic capacity by 7 percent to 8 percent.
United Airlines: Fourth-quarter mainline domestic capacity will shrink 16 percent compared with the previous year.
US Airways: It will reduce capacity 6 percent to 8 percent on domestic flights in the fourth quarter.
Source: The Associated Press
Although each airline has a slightly different contract of carriage, most airlines will rebook you on a flight within four hours of the original flight. If the airline can’t rebook you within that time, you can ask for a hotel voucher. Food vouchers are also negotiable.
When you get word of that canceled flight, Banas recommends calling the airline right away. Standing in the customer service line with hundreds of other passengers will likely cause you more headaches and might not get you the speedy change you would like. Instead, Banas suggests doing both: Dial the airline on your cell phone while you’re standing in the customer service line.” ( via www.msnbc.msn.com )
Pointswizard.com Spin: read more from this article
see our previous post on this click here
