Weather like the East Coast is experiencing has a way of frosting over that warm holiday glow in a hurry as the supply of traveler patience runs critically low. A massive snowstorm led to canceled flights up and down the coast, creating the usual ripple effect across the country as planes that were supposed to be ferrying passengers out of otherwise unaffected airports failed to show. For that reason, even flights in Seattle were affected.
They offer these tips for travelers stranded by bad weather:
1. Call your airline to check the status of your flight as many flights are canceled on the East Coast and/or are delayed because flights to other cities in the U.S. are waiting for aircraft that may be stuck in the Northea
2. If your flight has been canceled, get in line to begin the process of rebooking the next available flight. While you are in line, call your airline for the same purpose and see which "line" gets you to your desired result faster. Also, consider rescheduling your trip for another week, if at all possible. You can use the value of your ticket for another day if your flight was canceled, not just merely delayed.
3. Consider flying in and out of a different airport. If flights to your home airport are unavailable for days, you may be able to fly sooner to a different airport and then drive to your home. Let the airline representative know if you are flexible.
4. Use Twitter to get a response from the airlines. For example, follow and get the latest updates on delays and cancellations affecting Delta's passengers.
5. Most hotels that may be expecting you will understand the impact the storm is having on your travels. It's best to call them as soon as possible to alert them about your situation and to help you discern the best plan for either delaying or rescheduling your trip.
6. If you are at a hotel, check for additional night availability before you check out. If your flights are canceled en route to your destination, call ahead to your hotel to ensure that you are not charged for your cancellation. The more notice that you give the hotel, the better it will be about accommodating you at a later time. Call 800-2-HOTELS to work with a representative for any winter-storm affected bookings.
