Winter is a time when many of us travel, whether it’s heading off to ski or getting away from the cold. Unfortunately, winter weather can interfere with your plans. When you book a trip with Maupin Travel, we are here to help if issues arise. Still, you might be wondering how that works in certain situations. Here are some answers to our frequently asked questions.
Q: What if I’ve booked through Maupin and weather cancels my flight?
In the United States, airlines are not required to compensate passengers when flights are delayed or canceled. The best practice is using the airline website or app to enroll for flight updates and alerts prior to travel.
If you know bad weather is on the horizon, consult your travel advisor, your airline’s website or call the carrier to check for an advisory notice. If an airline has an advisory in place ahead of weather issues, you may be able to reschedule your flight by a few days in either direction with no change fees. However, if the airline has not issued its own advisory, you could have to pay out of pocket for any flight change fees.
If you realize your flight is likely to be delayed based on where it’s coming from, keep a close eye on your flight’s status. If a delay becomes reality and you want an alternative to waiting it out, check the airline app or in-airport kiosk for rebooking options. You do not have to stand in line to talk to a real person in many cases; instead, you can self-service the rebooking with many major airlines. In fact, it may be faster to do it online or at a kiosk at the airport. You may have the option of not only new flight times but new “nearby” origin and destination cities. Multi-tasking by phoning your travel advisor or airline while standing in line at the airport is highly recommended because available seats are constantly changing.
Our local airport, RDU, recently shared plans to roll out new winter weather equipment. Officials said their “snow warriors” will be clearing runways and taxiways as well as the airport roads as quickly as possible. The post also offers ways to stay updated on RDU flights during inclement weather.
Q: What if weather impacts my travel destination (such as a hurricane, tornado, storm, etc)?
If your travel carrier could not get you to your original itinerary destination for at least 24 consecutive hours from when you were originally scheduled to arrive because of a hurricane or severe weather event, travel insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs. Always review the travel provider’s terms and conditions closely for information pertaining to force majeure clauses.
Q: What if I’m late to my destination because of the weather and miss a hotel or tour?
Because the weather is beyond the airlines’ control, you should consider purchasing travel insurance, which can cover missed ground services. Also, check with your credit card provider to inquire if coverage for missed ground services might apply. Always review the travel provider’s terms and conditions carefully for information about no-show policies.
Q: What else should I know?
If there are no reasonable booking options left with your carrier, ask if there are options on another airline. When your ticket for a canceled flight qualifies for a refund, purchasing a new ticket with a different carrier may serve best. However, if the delay is weather-related, and you are on a Basic Economy ticket or on a low-cost carrier, there might not be other airline options allowed. Still, it is worth asking.
If you have questions about your winter travel plans, contact us for help.
