Cause they are not looking too friendly right now! Delta and Northwest just posted big losses. Jammed flights, high fares, delays will affect airlines, customers. And of course, us ballroom dancers! So here's my question(s) for all you experienced travelers: We all know the costs involved in attending a comp. Costly, to say the least, not including your time and effort. So how does one prepare for the unexpected? Such as delayed flights, cancelled flights? I am a novice at airtravel and I am tentitively planning on attending Ohio in November. Is there such a thing as insurance for cancelled flights? How about trip insurance? I guess what I'm saying, in a nutshell, is there anyway to recoup losses in cases of cancelled, flights and events?
Tinydancergirl
I fly about twice a week, so I'll try to help you out with your questions.
While you can't exactly prepare for the unexpected, here are some tips.
1. Always have important stuff with you in your carry ons in case of cancelled flights, missed connections or delays. This is stuff like medicine, costume, shoes, enough make-up and toiletries to get by and be under the limits of security check-points, and something to pass the time like a book, game, etc.
2. Know what other carriers and or flight options there are to your destination around the times that you need to be there. An search on a site like Kayak or Travelocity should give you all the info you need to be informed when talking to an agent about a cancelled flight, make sure to suggest them putting you on a flight with another carrier if they can't get you to your destination on time.
3. Always bring copies of hotel and car rental reservations so that you have the phone numbers to call and cancel if you're not going to make it for your reservation. Most hotels are fairly understanding about cancelled flights and won't charge you for the extra night if you can't make it due to a cancelled flight, but you need to call them as soon as you know. Rental car companies, as long as you haven't pre-paid through a discount site, don't even need you to cancel, but it's good to have the number if you need to change the pick-up time of your vehicle.
The trip insurance you're referring to is in case you get sick or have an emergency where you need to cancel your flight, not for the airline cancelling your flight. However if purchasing through a site like Orbitz where you pre-pay, this could be helpful for a cancelled flight since you pre-pay for all the items you book. I don't have a lot of experience with the discount sites since I use my work travel site for a lot of travel.
If your flight is cancelled the airline is required by law to get you to your destination, or if you choose not to go, give you a refund for your ticket. If you get stuck in a city that is not your home and the cancellation is not due to an "Act of God" such as weather, they are required to give you housing for the night. Most will also have overnight kits with toothbrush, toothpaste, etc to get you through the night if you don't have your own.
As far as getting a refund for an event if you miss it, I'm afraid that you are most likely out of luck with this one, unless the event itself will give you one. An airline is very unlikely going to reimburse you for this expense.
Please let me know if you have anymore quesitons.
