Travel Designers Cancelled Flights Are No Fun
With so many cancelled flights happening this summer, we thought it might be good to give our best tips on what to do if this happens to you.
Things to do to prepare for cancelled flights before you depart –
1. If you can, travel light with hand luggage only. It is not always possible with families but it will make life easier if the flight is cancelled and you need to change quickly.
2. Download the airlines app, set up alerts for you flights. Check the flight status before leaving for the airport.
3. Understand your airlines t’s&c’s and their contract of carriage.
4. Check your insurance policy. Some do not cover if EU flight. Some only cover up to 12 hours delayed or cancelled. Some only after 24 hours. Every policy different. Make sure you have the best policy to cover the most situations.
5. Check your credit card that you used to buy the tickets, does it have insurance that covers for delays or cancellations. Ask the card issuer the question. Some give from £20pp up to £250pp for delays cancellations.
6. Tour operator package – If ABTA they must refund any cancelled holiday within 14 days. In post Covid times and staff shortages this is not always possible but just remind them of your rights. The law states you are entitle to a full refund if they have to cancel your holiday. If you are in resort you are their responsibility to provide alternative accommodation and or flights.
7. If your flight is cancelled ask the reason why. If extra-ordinary circumstances then compensation will not apply. It is your legal right to be offered an alternative flight or transport with another airline or transportation. This is known as re-routing
When you are in resort and experience cancelled flights –
If your flight is cancelled when returning to the UK you should be offered –
1. The first available alternative flight including that of another carrier.
2. Accommodation until the flight is available
or
3. A Full refund
If you are with a tour operator on a package holiday – If you are in resort, you are their responsibility to provide alternative flights home and accommodation or food and drinks vouchers until the new flight is available.
Ask about compensation if EU flight to and from the UK Europe you are entitled to compensation depending on how long and how many miles you are travelling. Anything from £220pp
If flying to a non-EU destination your travel insurance should cover as EU law will not cover for non EU destinations or airlines and the airline will not be responsible.
In this post Covid world, always use a Travel Agent for that added assistance when your flights are cancelled.
