A significant winter storm is approaching the East Coast, and several major airlines have waived change fees for travelers affected by the severe weather. Airlines including American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United have made this adjustment to help reduce the impact on passengers whose flights may be disrupted.
Travelers planning to fly to or from the airports impacted by the storm are encouraged to contact their airline for specific information regarding change fees and fare differences, which may be waived due to the exceptional situation. CBS News reports that, under federal law, airlines must provide refunds for canceled flights, regardless of whether passengers choose to rebook. This policy applies to both refundable and non-refundable tickets.
NBC New York reports that New York City Emergency Management has issued warnings about potential flight delays and cancellations starting as early as Friday, primarily due to disruptions at major hubs like Delta Air Lines' base in Atlanta. The impact is expected to last from Friday to Sunday, affecting at least 41 airports.
When it comes to what airlines owe passengers, the situation can be more complex. If delays or cancellations are within the airline’s control, policies regarding compensation, such as meal vouchers and hotel reimbursements, can vary. However, for disruptions caused by factors outside the airline's control, such as weather events, compensation is not legally required. Still, Clint Henderson, managing editor of ThePointsGuy.com, clarified in a statement to CBS News that passengers are entitled to a full refund. This includes any additional purchases, such as extra legroom, Wi-Fi, or other pre-purchased services, which should also be refunded.
In these situations, passengers are often advised to take advantage of credit cards that offer trip delay and cancellation protections, a feature of many premium cards that can be especially helpful for those who did not purchase separate travel insurance. For those looking to rebook quickly, Clint Henderson recommends not only heading to airline counters but also having the airline's phone number and app handy to help streamline the process and resolve the situation more efficiently.
