More than 25 million people are ticketed to fly for Thanksgiving. Some lines might be long and most planes will be packed. Here are four possible headaches – followed by our recommended remedies.
Problem No. 1: A Delay or cancellation
Solution: Rebook yourself
The major airlines have made significant progress in letting you modify your flights without having to dial a call center or stand in an endless line. When flights are delayed or canceled, airline websites and apps often allow you to make changes on your own – and without fees.
We see an added bonus to DIY rebooking, in that you can actually see your options and carefully weight them instead of feeling pressured to make a snap judgment by phone or at the counter.
Problem No. 2: You’re about to miss your flight
Solution: Alert the airline
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It’s imperative that if you are running late for a flight you call and tell the airline *before* your scheduled departure time. Many airlines impose “no-show” fees that can either cost your hundreds of dollar per person or completely erase the value of your ticket. The time of your call is crucial. Calling after departure time can be financially crushing.
Calling early also gives an airline agent time to proactively rebook you. This might incur a fee, but not always. Some air carriers give their call centers latitude to accommodate passengers – flexibility sometimes known as the “flat tire” rule.
Problem No. 3: Your flight is overbooked
Solution: Reduce your odds
The airlines pluck people from overbooked flights every single day. Some people voluntarily give up their seats (for compensation); others are removed because there are simply more passengers than seats. If you do not wish to be either of those persons you have two defenses.
First, check in as early as possible. Airlines sometimes choose who to remove from an overbooked flight by check-in time. The last person to check in might be the first to be kicked off. Second, get a seat assignment. Airlines sometimes bump passengers who don't have a seat assignment. So, always do that as early as possible.
The federal government allows airlines to overbook flights to account for no-shows. Usually it balances out. But at the holidays, it’s more likely everyone will show up for your flight and, if it's overbooked, someone will have to give up their seat.
Problem No. 4: Your luggage is missing
Solution: Request reimbursement plus refund
If your baggage does not appear on the carousel at your destination, do not wait to file a claim. Alert the airline immediately. Also, ask if the carrier will pay for essentials – such as clothing and toiletries – until your bag arrives. Some will provide a temporary stipend, but it's rarely advertised. You generally have to ask for it and save receipts.
Also, if you paid a fee to check the luggage that the airline then lost, request a refund of your bag fee. A coming change to federal law will require refunds. Until that is fully implemented, there’s nothing preventing an airline from refunding the money you paid for a service that they literally failed to deliver
