Spectrum News’ Valarie D’Elia has some tips on what to do when winter weather changes your travel plans unexpectedly in this Travel With Val report.
When New York City’s first snowstorm of the year hit, thousands of area flights were delayed or cancelled.
In travel parlance, bad weather is known as a “force majeure,” something that is out of the airline’s control. However, air carriers are getting better about getting ahead of the storm and waiving their change and cancellation fees in advance.
"So you as a traveler can proactively contact your airline and either change or cancel your flight without any penalty or extra fees,” says Jeanenne Tornatore of Orbitz.
Air travelers are entitled to a full refund when their flight is cancelled outright and can easily lobby for money back with a good degree of success if the delay is unreasonable.
You might find yourself in a further fix though, with a connecting flight, putting you at an even greater risk for bad weather foul ups. So try to book a connection through an airport in a warm weather destination or avoid them all together.
Consider investing in a one-day pass to an airport lounge, where you can ride out the storm comfortably and encounter shorter lines to rebook.
Finally, shop for weather delay & cancellation compensation through travel insurance policies or travel credit cards.
Also, before you book a winter vacay, check to see if your hotel or resort is relaxing cancellation policies for no shows.
For more travel tips, visit TravelWithVal.com.