Travel: Delayed, Cancelled, or Overbooked Flights

Travel -Delayed, Cancelled, or Overbooked Flights
Delayed and Cancelled Flights
Airline delays caused by bad weather, traffic control problems, and mechanical repairs are hard to predict. If your flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook you on the earliest flight possible to your destination, at no additional charge. If you're able to find a flight on another airline, ask the first airline to endorse your ticket to the new carrier. This could save you a fare increase, but there is no rule requiring them to do this.
Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers; there are no federal requirements. If your flight is delayed or canceled, ask the airline if it will pay for meals or a phone call. Contrary to what many people believe, airlines are not required to do so.
Be Wise While You Wait
While waiting for your flight, remember to follow these important recommendations:
***Watch your luggage and belongings at all times
***Do NOT accept packages from strangers
***If you see unattended baggage or packages anywhere in the airport terminal or parking area, report them immediately to a security officer or authority
***Report any suspicious activities to airport security
***Do NOT joke about having a bomb or firearm
***Do NOT discuss terrorism, weapons, explosives or threats while going through the security checkpoint
Overbooked Flights
Selling more tickets than there are seats is not illegal. Most airlines overbook their flights to compensate for "no-shows." If there are more passengers than seats just before a plane is scheduled to depart, you could be "bumped" or left behind against your will. Whether you are bumped or not may depend on when you officially check-in for your flight, so try to arrive early. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to ask people to give up their seats voluntarily, in exchange for compensation. Airlines decide what to offer volunteers, such as money, a free trip, food or lodging.
Federal rules protect you if you are "bumped" on most flights within the United States and on outbound international flights. The airline must give you a written statement describing your rights, as well as the airline's boarding priority rules and criteria.
If the airline is not able to get you to your final destination within one hour of your original arrival time, you may be entitled to an on-the-spot payment as compensation. The amount depends on the price of the ticket and the length of the delay.
To receive this payment, you must have a confirmed reservation. You must also meet the airline's deadlines for ticketing and check-in. An airline may offer you a free ticket on a future flight in place of a check, but you have the right to insist on a check.
Find More Knowledge at My Online Bookstore