The only thing worse than missing a flight is having it canceled at the last minute. These cancellations not only add undue stress to the travel experience, but they can also be costly to re-book, especially when you factor in lost deposits on hotels and connecting flights.

The question on a lot of people’s minds when their flight is unexpectedly canceled by an airline is: Am I entitled to compensation for this cancelation?

The answer to that question is – it depends. Every airline and region of the world has its own protections and guidelines regarding flight delays compensation (see AirAdvisor, for instance), with some making special financial accommodations in the event of a flight cancelation.

Why do airlines cancel flights?

Flights can be canceled for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, the reason is a lack of passengers who have booked tickets for the flight. However, in extreme cases, cancelations can occur because of bad weather, issues on the runway, or dangerous activity at the airport.

These reasons, unfortunately, are rarely a cause for compensation as they are considered “extraordinary circumstances” outside of the airline’s control.

However, if your flight has been canceled unexpectedly and without enough notice (usually at least 14 days in advance), then you could be entitled to flight cancellations compensation up to $700.

Which airlines offer cancelation compensation?

The question isn’t so much which airlines offer cancelation compensation, but rather which areas of the world protect passengers if their flight is canceled unexpectedly and outside of what is considered “extraordinary circumstances”.

In Europe, for example, regulations mandate that airlines headquartered in Europe and originating on the continent compensate travelers when flights are unexpectedly delayed more than 2 hours or canceled with less than 14 days’ notice.

If your flight is delayed less than this amount of time or you are given ample notice about a flight cancelation, then an airline may only be responsible for providing an alternate ticket for a similar flight. So, for example, if a Wizz Air cancel flight email appears in your inbox, it will most likely be followed by an email offering alternate tickets you can book for no additional fee. Check AirAdvisor’s Wizz Air compensation page at this link.

What happens if I cancel the flight? Can I still get my money back?

Each airline has its own specific cancellation policy, and generally, if you cancel your flight, you aren’t entitled to compensation or reimbursement. Although, you may be entitled to a credit from the airline for a future booking if the canceled ticket is protected with third-party flight cancellation coverage.

Be aware that you may need to cancel before a certain period to avoid cancelation charges or flight change fees.

How much can I get if my flight is canceled?

Usually, flight compensation for canceled flights is based on the amount of notice provided to you before the cancelation, the distance meant to be traveling, and the amount of time you have been delayed because of the cancelation.

Assuming a flight has been canceled without much notice (a few hours to a few days), and you have been delayed up to five hours because of the cancelation, you could be entitled to compensation up to $700.

It should be noted that getting compensation is much easier for flights originating in Europe or the EU as the USA does not hold any mandates for airlines that cancel flights within the country. However, airlines do have their own policies when it comes to this, and it’s essential to consult their refund policies to see what your compensation may be.

I am not sure if I am entitled to flight compensation. Is there a way to check?

There are two different ways to check to see if you are entitled to flight delay compensation due to cancelation.

●  Talk to the airline

As soon as you find out that your flight is canceled, contact an airline representative. This can be done by phone or email if you aren’t at the airport at the time of cancelation. Alternatively, if you are in the airport when your flight is canceled, head straight to the customer service counter for your airline to clarify what you are entitled to or seek alternate arrangements.

●  Use a service

Many services track flight status information and calculate whether passengers may be eligible for compensation due to delays or cancelation. AirAdvisor, for example, offers this service for free to passengers flying out of the EU or North America. Be aware that these services may charge a small  commission of the total compensation received for helping you file and collect your claim.

Whichever route you choose, it is important to know that filing does not have to be done immediately. Most airlines allow up to six years before you lose your right to claim compensation for a canceled or delayed flight.

Flight cancelation is never a pleasant experience, and it’s good to know what you are entitled to so that you can make sure you get back on your travels as quickly as possible.