3 things to do if your flight is delayed
Flight delays can be annoying but tracking them in real-time can help. FlightAware reports a 21.9% delay rate this year. Keep an eye on cancellations and use the misery map for airport delay info. Stay updated and plan smarter with live cancellation pages and the misery map. Stay informed and travel efficiently with the live cancellation page and misery map.
Unfortunately, the airlines have no control over the unpredictable forces of weather. As a result, delays have become an unavoidable inconvenience that passengers must endure. On the rare occasion when maintenance issues are the cause of a delay, it's advisable to remain close to the gate. By doing so, you can avoid the potential risk of missing your flight if the issue is promptly resolved and the airline adjusts the departure time accordingly.
Before you make your way to the airport lounge to enjoy a drink and wait out any flight delays, it's essential to be aware of some important information regarding these delays. In certain cases, you might even be eligible for financial compensation to ease the inconvenience.
Here's what you should do if your flight is delayed.
Check In with the Gate Agent
Don't rush to the airport lounge as soon as you hear about a flight delay. As tempting as it may be to go grab some food (or some drinks) or to take a nap, the delay may not be as long as it is projected to be. You wouldn’t want to miss your flight because the delayed became un-delayed.
Here's an additional tip: Don't solely depend on the airport departure and arrival boards, as they may not always be updated promptly. While they are generally reliable, the most current flight departure information can often be obtained by downloading your airline's app onto your phone and subscribing to text flight alerts.
Know Your Credit Card's Delay and Cancellation Policy
When your trip doesn't go as expected, having a credit card can be incredibly useful.
Save yourself from missed flights and being stranded by having trip delay coverage. It is often a benefit with most credit cards that many people overlook. It's a crucial advantage that can truly save your life. Don't underestimate its power.
Trip delay protection offers you peace of mind by covering reasonable expenses that arise due to extended trip delays. Yet, certain credit cards can provide a cost-effective solution and simplify the process when your trip is delayed due to factors like weather, operational issues, strikes, or unforeseen events. Typically, you'll need to front the expenses initially, but you may qualify for reimbursement later on.
Credit cards with trip delay protection include:
The Chase Sapphire Reserve covers delays from 6 hours or overnight, with a maximum coverage amount of $500. ($550 annual fee).
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card covers delays from 12 hours or overnight, with a maximum coverage amount of $500. ($95 annual fee).
The Platinum Card® from American Express covers delays from 6 hours, with maximum coverage of $500 per covered trip per 12-month, consecutive period. ($695 annual fee — see rates and fees)*.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card overs delays from 6 hours, with maximum coverage of $500 per covered trip per 12-month, consecutive period. ($550 annual fee — see rates and fees)*.
*Eligibility and Benefit level vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
You May Be Eligible for a Refund
Get to know your rights and what you are entitled to in case of a delay or cancellation.
Should you choose not to take your originally scheduled flight due to substantial delays or cancellations, you should be eligible for a refund of your money or points. Airlines may often offer vouchers, but remember that you have the right to request a cash refund instead.
There might be an option to cancel and request a refund online or through the airline's app. However, airlines don't always make this process straightforward. You might find yourself needing to contact their customer service hotline. Keep in mind that even if the airline proposes a voucher or miles, you generally have the right to request a cash refund.
If your travel falls under the EU261 regulation, which sets out guidelines for compensation and support for passengers in cases of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or significant delays, you have additional avenues to explore.
EU261 offers certain travel safeguards if your flight experiences departure delays, contingent upon the length of the delay. If you reach your ultimate destination with a delay exceeding three hours, you have the right to compensation, except in cases of extraordinary circumstances such as terrorism.
As we reported last year, the regulation applies to the following:
Flights wholly within the European Union and operated by any airline;
Flights departing from the EU to a non-EU country and operated by any airline; and
Flights arriving in the EU from outside the EU and operated by an EU airline.