How to Manage When Your Flight is Canceled Due to Weather

If you have ever had a flight canceled, you know how it feels to have your plans interrupted. During the winter season, no one can know what to expect from Mother Nature, and more often than not, travelers must deal with flight delays, or worse, flight cancellations. This article is designed to help you stay two steps ahead, protecting yourself and your family as much as possible from the trip-damaging effects of flight cancellations due to weather.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. The most important thing to do when planning a trip during the winter season is to keep an eye on the weather. Do not check it once during the week and then forget about it. Check it as often as you can. Weather changes constantly--like the wind blows. Having an idea of what to expect will help you decide what to do next. For example, if the forecast is thunderstorms over your area near your departure time, expect delays, and re-routes. If the forecast is snow and freezing rain, expect delays, and possible cancellations. Arrive at the airport on time, in case the storm changes course. They key is to be prepared for the worst.
2. To be prepared for the worst case scenario requires thinking ahead. If you travel frequently, you already know that airlines do not serve food any longer. It is a good idea to pack snacks in your carry on luggage, especially if you are traveling with children. Pack something you actually like to eat that you would not mind eating at anytime of day; for example, granola bars, or crackers.
   
   With the new airline regulations, you can no longer carry liquids through the security checkpoint. Therefore, have a few dollars on you to purchase a bottle of water or juice to add to your stash of snacks.
3. Now that you will not starve if something goes wrong, you should plan to brave the elements of having to sleep in the terminal if the airport closes. When packing that carry-on bag, take the unnecessary things out, and add a sweater, or blanket, depending on how cold you get. If you are traveling with children, this is especially important. Very often, cancellations happen at the last minute after airlines have spent 5 hours of delay time telling you that the flight was definitely going. If your flight was canceled, many others were as well. When you get this information, the airport becomes a mad house of people trying to re-book their flights, find food and find shelter. Airlines do not provide room and board for passengers when a flight cancels due to weather.
4. This brings us to step four. Make sure to book a hotel reservation in advance if there is a possibility that your flight will encounter weather problems. You must be savvy enough to have kept an eye on the weather and know where the potential problems are. Then, go online or call one of the airport hotels--a safe bet are usually chain hotels such as Marriott, Hilton, or Hampton Inn--and make a reservation. You need a credit card to hold the room, and can always cancel the reservation once you know for certain that you are taking off. Double-check with the hotel to verify its cancellation policy BEFORE making the reservation.
5. You now have food, water, and shelter--the three basic needs--to endure the ordeal of last-minute flight cancellations. The only thing you need to do now is have a good trip no matter what. Make the most out of every moment. Keep a positive attitude, knowing that some things are simply out of your control.

Tips & Warnings

• It is a good idea to update your contact information before taking a trip. If you have friends in the area, an unexpected flight cancellation is a great time to catch up with them--and your shelter could be free! Just call them a few days in advance of your trip. Tell them that you are passing through their city on your way to vacation and they ran through your mind. That's all you need to say. If your flight cancels in their city, call them again and say, "Guess what!"
• Before booking a hotel, check with the hotel to verify their cancellation policy. Let them know you want to hold a room in case a flight cancels. Make sure you will have adequate time to cancel the room if necessary.