Be aware of your air travel rights
For full clarification of your rights remember to refer the
airline-customer agreement also known as the contract of carriage. Specific
airlines have specific policies on dealing with delays or cancellations.
Typically, airlines will offer options such as a seat on the next impending
available flight or resort to issuing a refund.
Remember to check if your credit card provides trip delay protection
Certain credit cards such as the Citi thankyou premier card can offer
you compensations worth $500 if your flight has been canceled or delayed due to
sufficient reasons such as undesirable weather or mechanical issue. However, to
be eligible for such compensation, you are required to book your flight using
the credit card.
Remain proactive
When facing issues with delay or cancellation, instead of following the
generic and time-consuming process of standing in a queue and informing the
gate agent. Resort to faster response methods such as directly contacting the
airline customer service and informing them or rebooking your next flight via
the airline’s official app.
Query about meals and hotel credits
If you are a victim of consistent and long hours of delay, generally
airlines may suffice you with a meal, coverage of lodging expenses and
transportation costs. However, such complimentary perks are eligible only if it
is an error on the side of the airlines such as mechanical issue. Beyond the
control of airline factors such as undesirable and robust weather will not
avail such complimentary meals or stay.
Avail social media to your advantage
If the airline customer service fails to redress your issue to your
satisfaction, tend to resort to explaining your grievances in a socially
accepted manner in public platforms such as Twitter or Facebook. Respective
airline authorities are more obliged to respond and redress customer grievances
as it is presented on an open platform.
Download the necessary tools
You can never anticipate when a delay may strike, but you can always
remain prepared. Downloading essential tools such as the FlightAware app can
enable you to know flight tracking details. Other imperative tools such as
AirHelp can help you clarify whether you are eligible for any compensation or
refund for delays. Moreover, AirHelp’s app has built-in boarding pass scanner,
enabling you to merely take photos of your boarding pass and accordingly
uploading them to necessary authorities.
Understand that different rules are applicable for delays overseas
Tend to familiarize yourself with the regulations for delays when
traveling abroad, particularly the EU. If you are delayed in Europe, factors
such as duration of the flight, delay limit and distance of flight will determine
your compensation.
Negotiate with your airlines
After becoming a victim of delay or cancellation, typically airlines
will lure you with plenty of loyalty offers, freebies, and other future travel
schemes. Remember to not fall for their tricks and stand on your own. Do not
sign on anything until and unless you are satisfied with their compensation.
Airlines will tend to offer you a seat in the next available flight, if you do
not like your seating, be honest and tell them. Tend to negotiate until you are
satisfied with your compensation.
Consider investing in travel insurance
Investing in travel insurance is not a bad idea as it can help
strengthen your claim for reimbursement if any delay or cancellation makes you
miss out on other cruises and events. To know more information about travel insurance visit this site.
Hold necessary documents
It is imperative you hold on to your essential travel documents as if
not, it can lead to rejection of the claim for reimbursement of delay or
cancellation. Thus hold on to each receipt and document until you have
completed your travels without any issue.