Cancelled, it is the most dreaded word in the travel industry. Airline cancellations are the worst. Whether it is weather, mechanical issues, or even a missing flight crew that causes the disruption, it is bound to put even the best of travelers in a bad mood. And as great as having a travel planner on your side, we can do little to prevent this situation from happening. You will experience this at some point in your travels. When your flight gets cancelled, it can be frustrating and inconvenient, but there are steps you can take to address the situation and minimize disruptions to your travel plans. Even with a travel agent by your side, you will want to know some of these when the problem arises. 

Here’s what to do when your flight gets cancelled. 

1. Stay Calm: It’s essential to remain calm and composed, even though flight cancellations can be stressful. Take a few deep breaths to help you stay focused.
2. Check for Notifications: Often, airlines will notify passengers of flight cancellations through various means, such as email, text message, or phone call. Check your communication channels for any news from the airline.
3. Contact the Airline: Call the airline’s customer service or visit their service desk at the airport. Be prepared for potentially long wait times, especially during peak travel seasons. Explain your situation and ask about the next available options. 
4. Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with your passenger rights, which can vary by country and airline. Airlines typically have policies in place for compensating passengers in the event of cancellations. These policies may include providing you with alternative flights, accommodations, meals, and, in some cases, compensation. Ask the airline about your rights and entitlements.
5. Ask About Rebooking: In many cases, the airline will offer to rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost. Discuss your options with the airline representative and choose the best choice for your situation. 
6. Consider Alternative Airports: If the airline can’t provide a suitable replacement flight, ask if there are other nearby airports you can fly into or out of that might have available flights. Be aware that you may need to arrange your own transportation to or from these airports.
7. Check Travel Insurance: If you have travel insurance, review your policy to see if it covers flight cancellations. Depending on the policy, you may be eligible for reimbursement of expenses related to the cancellation.
8. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on the situation. Flight statuses can change, and alternative options may become available. Use airline apps or websites to monitor your flight’s status.
9. Arrange Accommodations: If you’re stranded overnight due to a cancellation, and the airline doesn’t provide accommodations, consider booking a hotel room near the airport. Keep any receipts for expenses related to the cancellation, as you may be able to seek reimbursement.
10. Rebook as Soon as Possible: Once you’ve secured alternative travel arrangements, confirm your new flight details and make necessary adjustments to your plans. Flights can fill up quickly, so rebooking as soon as possible is essential.
11. Follow-up: After resolving the situation, consider contacting the airline’s customer service again to ensure that you received any entitled compensation or assistance.

Remember that airline policies and procedures can vary, so it’s essential to be patient and polite when dealing with airline staff. While flight cancellations are frustrating, being respectful and cooperative can often lead to more favorable outcomes when seeking assistance and alternative arrangements. As the saying goes, “You’ll attract more bees with honey.”

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

It is the unofficial end of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere. Kids are back in school, and you are preparing for all the fall festivities and holidays that approach way too quickly. Your thoughts might have already turned to where we will go and what we will do over the school breaks, even though the year has just begun. 

 I travel a lot during the year. Not always with my family, but when we all manage to get our calendars to jive, I like to know my house is as ready as I am. What do I mean?

There are several things I like to do to prepare my home for being empty while I’m gone. Just like you have a packing list for your suitcase, you should have a list of things to prepare your house. 

Do your neighbors know you will be gone? I like to let my immediate neighbors or friends know when the house will be empty so they can watch for any strange activity. Or in case of storms that may cause damage. As I write this, we are getting hit with another torrential downpour, and these next few months can be some of the worst for hurricane and storm activity. 

Do the police know you will be gone? When I lived in Bartlett, TN, our local police had a website where I could register the dates I would be gone. They will actually do drive-bys to check for suspicious activity.

Did you set your alarm system? Do you have an alarm system in your house? If so, be sure to activate it before leaving. Also, notify your security company so they will know how to reach you during your absence, especially if you are out of the country. If you have a house sitter, which I have done to avoid putting our pets in the kennel, make sure they know how to operate the system to prevent false alarms. House and pet sitters are a great option when gone on vacation. 

Do you have timers? Your outside and even some inside lights should be on timers to mimic your regular daily routine. The police, when I registered my house, even asked about this.

Do you have someone checking the mail? If you don’t have a friend or a neighbor to pick up your mail, alert the postal office to hold your mail while you are gone. Mailboxes are a top target for scammers looking to access your personal information. 

Did you empty all the trash? This is a big one if you want to avoid being knocked over by the smell when you return. Also good is to make sure someone puts your cans out on garbage day. I have lived near the woods, and the raccoons love the restaurant au Rossmeissl.

There are lots of other little things to do in the house. For example, I like to ensure my refrigerator is relatively empty so I don’t come home with spoiled food. Adjusting thermostats for your absence is another example. I could go on, but sometimes what you do to prepare will depend on the season you travel. Creating a pre-travel checklist for your home will ensure you cover all your bases before departure. I have used lists for almost everything to keep my home running in some semblance of order. Raising three children, who are now grown adults, minimizing chaos was critical.

So, is your house ready for vacation?

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.