At a Glance – How to Handle a Flight Cancellation

My flight has been cancelled now what?

Contact Your Airline First

Number one tip: Whether it’s an airport delay or flight cancellation, contact your airline – immediately.

Here’s why: Airlines have fewer seats on fewer flights these days, so only a lucky few will be able to grab the next available seats on a flight. Being first in line to snag a seat is key.

If Your Flight is Canceled:

Multi-task communications: If your flight is canceled or delayed, immediately get in line for a gate agent; at the same time, call the airline (it may be quicker)

Use your elite miles status: If your status entitles you to a dedicated airline contact hotline, use it

Follow your airline on Twitter: Airlines have staff monitoring social networks, and may respond more quickly to tweets for help than other communications
From Fare Compare

There are no federal requirements that force airlines to provide you with any hotel or meal vouchers due to events outside their control such as weather, but airline policies on this vary. When in doubt, ask. Some will provide you with certain amenities.
Read more here.

At a Glance: How to handle a flight cancellation – The AP

” If your flight is canceled due to the storm, don’t go to the airport.
To avoid getting stranded, check your flight’s status early the day you’re flying, and again right before you head to the airport. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is encouraging travelers to make sure their flight will be departing before heading to Kennedy, LaGuardia or Newark International airports.

If you’re already at the airport when your flight is canceled, put your legs and fingers to work. Walk over to customer service. While there, dial the customer service number. Odds are you’ll get help over the phone before reaching the front of the line. Still, in the case of Sandy, the best you might do is a cot, like those the Port Authority is promising to supply to stranded travelers. The agency expects the major airlines to cancel all flights at some point Sunday night.

You can try asking for assistance via Twitter. Most airlines task employees with monitoring their Twitter feed.

There are also a couple of financial basics to be aware of.

The airlines have waived change fees, typically $150, for flights delayed or canceled due weather. But keep in mind that airlines usually only waive this fee once. Be certain you want to change your itinerary before you lock it in. Otherwise, you’ll be out $150 if you have to make a second change. You also might pay more for a difference in the flight’s price

If you cancel your booking altogether, the airline might offer you a voucher for a future flight. But you can ask for cash instead.

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