Before you panic read this first

Step 1: Contact who you booked through ASAP

If you just booked directly through the airline’s website give them a call to discuss your options. Likewise, if you went through your local travel agency make sure to let them know (if they haven’t gotten to you first!) and they will be your liaison with the airline. Booking through a third party website such as Expedia, Priceline, etc means you have to call their customer service number.

Step 2: Discuss your options

• Different time on same day: If the flight that is most convenient for you is sold out, see if you can be waitlisted. Unfortunately they cannot guarantee a spot if the flight is sold out so you’d be on standby so also make sure to get “protected” (travel lingo for confirmed) on a different flight.
• Different airport: If you were originally flying to/from San Francisco try looking at OAK (Oakland) or SJC (San Jose). Likewise if you’re originally flying out of New York JFK airport check LGA (La Guardia), EWR (Newark) or HPN (White Plains, NY)
• Flying out the next day: If the cancellation is not out of airline control (such as weather), they should take care of accomodation if there are no same day options. Some airlines only do so on a round trip return, so this can be tricky for those with a multi destination trip or one way tickets. Regardless, make sure to keep receipts of purchases such as ground transportation and hotel so you can request reimbursement.
• Different airline: Some airlines have agreements to let you fly a different airline if their options are not suitable. I have done this for clients with Delta (on United) and United (on American). They do not charge for any change fees or difference in rate, and this is only done if there is a severe delay or cancellation. I’m not sure if this is something they may offer without inquiry so be sure to ask the customer service representative.
• Refund and rebook: If the above options do not work you should be able to get a refund of either just the cancelled flight or the entire ticket if you choose to cancel and rebook separately. The downside is tickets could be a lot pricier booking a flight the day of and if you choose this option there’s no compensation for the fare difference of the new ticket.

Step 3: Emergency and need to get home?

Here are some more options:

• Train to a different airport or back home. Try taking the train to a different airport that may not have weather issues or more flight options. If the train home is quicker than a flight, that is an option as well.
• Book a one way car rental back home or to a different airport.
• Buy multiple tickets on different carriers. This is recommended as a last resort situation only since this is not only pricey but also risky. Since many airlines have a 24 hour cancellation policy (budget airlines may not) you could book flights on a couple different airlines and take whichever one gets you home the quickest. If you book multiple flights on the same airline they may cancel both your flights. Once you know your flight is happening make sure to cancel other ticket(s) or else you’ll no-show and may forfeit the cost of the ticket.

Step 4: Contact any hotels, tours, and obligations 

Explain the situation to any obligations you may have to miss due to the cancelled flight. Keep all receipts of any charges you incur to submit to customer service. Some airlines will even give you a official note if your employer requires one.

US Domestic Airline Policies

Alaska

American

Delta

Frontier

JetBlue

Southwest

Spirit

 United