As Winter Storms Hit U.S., Here’s How to Handle Flight Cancellations and Delays

Airline passengers have very few rights, said

Paul Hudson,

president of FlyersRights, a consumer-advocacy organization. Getting the remuneration that passengers believe they are entitled to can come down to perseverance and communicating extensively with the airline over an extended period.

Here is what travelers need to know ahead of the winter weather:

Don’t miss flight alerts from your airline

Don’t be among those passengers who show up at the airport unaware that their flight was canceled. Airlines regularly send email, text and app alerts about flight cancellations. Sometimes they arrive in the middle of the night. So check frequently if you’re in a weather trouble zone. The earlier you find out, the better your rebooking options will be.

Don’t wait to change your flights

Time is of the essence if you have a set time to be at your destination. Fellow travelers also will be scrambling to reconfigure their plans. The sooner you take action the better.

“There’s not an endless supply of flights to jump on, and everybody else is thinking the same thing,” says

Katy Nastro,

a spokeswoman for Going, formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights, a travel subscription service. She recommends aiming to fly ahead of the storm if possible, since delays and cancellations could mount for days as a result of it.

Airline travel waivers generally eliminate change fees. They also often will set aside any difference in fare between the original flight and the new booking. In some cases, airlines will allow travelers to make changes online themselves without needing to go through a representative.

The fine print with these waivers does vary from carrier to carrier, Ms. Nastro warns, so be sure to check the specific rules for your airline.

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