The holidays have here, and they have brought with them some severe weather, endangering many people’s travel plans.
Around 115.2 million Americans are packing their luggage for their Christmas and New Year’s vacations. Some may be ready for terrible weather that might cause travel problems, but everyone is hoping to avoid a disaster like last year’s Southwest Airlines collapse, which resulted in the cancellation of 17,000 flights. Thousands of travelers were stuck, and many baggage went missing.
Parts of the United States have already seen bad weather this week, and AccuWeather meteorologists predict that major storms will hamper travel plans today with snow and rain over the midsection of the country.
So yet, no major aircraft cancellations or delays have been reported, but the same cannot be true for highways. Here’s what visitors should know.
Which airline and airport are seeing the most cancellations today?
According to flight-tracking website FlightAware, there are just 76 canceled flights in the United States as of 5:50 p.m. ET, while 3,762 are delayed.
United Airlines has the fewest cancellations (eight), followed by Delta (two) and JetBlue (one).
What do I have a right to if my flight is canceled or delayed?
The Department of Transportation offers a cancellation and delay dashboard that will tell you what major US airlines will do for you if there is a disruption.
When it comes to delays, policies differ by airline, but when it comes to cancellations, the general rule is that you are entitled to a full refund, even if you purchased a nonrefundable ticket, if you opt not to fly on alternative flights that are available.
If you’re concerned that bad weather will disrupt your journey, keep an eye out for airline updates. Carriers frequently grant waivers in advance of poor weather, giving you more freedom to change your travel plans without having to pay additional fees.
What rights do you have if your flight is delayed?
The Department of Transportation requires US airlines to compensate customers if their flights are completely canceled, but the laws regarding delays are a little murkier.
Passengers are not required by law to get a refund or reimbursement as a result of a flight delay. Even the DOT’s website might be confusing for tourists.
Airlines like to automatically rebook you on the next available flight, but you are not required to do so. However, keep in mind that a refund a) may not be immediate and b) will most likely not cover the cost of a new last-minute ticket unless your initial ticket was expensive. When things go wrong at the last minute, the next available aircraft may be the cheapest alternative for going to your destination or back home.
If you choose a refund, you will receive your money back, not merely a travel credit or voucher. Airlines are generally the first to provide credits and certificates, so customers who want their money returned must often take further measures.
Are the roads congested today? What are the worst times to drive?
Most probable.
The worst traffic before Christmas is expected on December 23 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Before you go, use navigation programs such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze to plan your route. You may also find out about road closures in advance by visiting the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration national linkages file (click here).
According to INRIX, the roads will be congested between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27, and between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 28 and 29.
The worst traffic will be between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 30 as people drive to their New Year’s Eve destinations.
More information: Best Travel Insurance
When are the greatest times to drive?
Drivers who can travel on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s should do so to escape the worst traffic.
Early birds that depart before 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23, will get the worm (hit less traffic).
The days between Christmas and New Year’s (Tuesday, December 26 and Wednesday, January 1)
Is my gas bill too high?
The national average for petrol prices per gallon is $3.11, with Hawaii having the highest costs at $4.66 per gallon and Oklahoma having the lowest at $2.61.
