Traveling Worries

Over the Fourth of July weekend, more than nine million people flocked to airports for holiday travel. If you traveled during that weekend without issue, you were one of the lucky ones. Of the holiday flights, more than 2,200 were canceled and more than 25,000 were delayed. Thankfully, you do have some actions you can take should your flight get canceled. Here’s a quick breakdown.

It’s a Law

As Money notes, if your flight is canceled, you are entitled by law to a refund. Yes, that’s even if you purchased a “non-refundable” ticket. The Department of Transportation regulations state that if you experience a “significant delay” or cancellation you can get refunded for the ticket.

It’s Quite Tricky

While you are entitled to a refund, that “significant delay” language can cause some headaches. Your eligibility will depend on several factors, from the length of time you’re delayed to the length of your flight. Each airline also has different rules for what defines a significant delay.

It Can Be Slow

As you might imagine, getting a refund can be a drawn-out process. You’ll have to talk to an airline representative, which can mean sitting on hold for a long time. Once you do get the refund, it’ll likely take weeks for the transaction to process. If you do decide to go looking for a refund, patience is your friend.

It’s Just One Option

If you know you’ll be flying again in the future, you might want to opt for a credit or a rebooking. Yes, the airlines are counting on you taking that route. However, if jumping through hoops to get a refund isn’t your cup of tea, at least you do have other options.

Chris O'Shea/SavvyMoney