New fare if flight is cancelled?

[HappyHappy]

Under what scenario will a fare increase if flight is changed due to weather? My family may not be able to fly to Phila. next Tuesday due to weather. If they need to reschedule for Wednesday, will they have to pay new fare which is double their current fare? I assume delays will not affect fares (?) I guess I don't even understand when a flight is considered delayed vs cancelled etc Thanks

 

[redrosesix]

Under what scenario will a fare increase if flight is changed due to weather? My family may not be able to fly to Phila. next Tuesday due to weather. If they need to reschedule for Wednesday, will they have to pay new fare which is double their current fare? I assume delays will not affect fares (?) I guess I don't even understand when a flight is considered delayed vs cancelled etc Thanks

Cancelled means it isn't going at all, delayed means just that. It's going later, but if you miss a connection because of the delay they can help you out by rebooking that part of your trip.

In either case most airlines will try to book you on the next available flight with no additional cost unless you get picky ie. you have to take what they offer, or choose from the options that they offer. That might include sending you on a different airline that has seats available to your destination.

If your flight or part of your flight is cancelled they do not necessarily have to put you up in a hotel -- that's where trip interruption insurance kicks in. So the other option, if your flight or part of your flight looks like it will be cancelled is to ask the airline if they can send you early. Again, no fare increase. They would definitely prefer to deal with you before a storm rather than after it, when nobody has seats available for days. But the caveat is that the airline has to believe there will be cancellations, not just you. If you jump the gun and reschedule you're responsible for any fare increase and associated change fees, as well as additional hotel expenses etc. Leaving early means increased vacation expenses for you that won't be covered by insurance but this is a great way to go if you want to make sure you don't lose any days. We were prepared in case we had to fly out early and had the priceline app loaded to get 2 days by the beach with a rental car.

I think you should start talking with their airline now to see what the options will be and when they will know if they have to rebook flights. If a flight is cancelled your family may not get out for several more days. But if you're flying to Phillie as in going home, you might want to figure out how you're going to use those extra days in Florida.

 

[HappyHappy]

thank you. Fortunately hotels aren't involved.

 

[sam_gordon]

Under what scenario will a fare increase if flight is changed due to weather? My family may not be able to fly to Phila. next Tuesday due to weather. If they need to reschedule for Wednesday, will they have to pay new fare which is double their current fare? I assume delays will not affect fares (?) I guess I don't even understand when a flight is considered delayed vs cancelled etc Thanks

If the AIRLINE delays or cancels the flight, there is no extra charge. If YOU decide to change your flight, you'll be responsible for purchasing a ticket at the current cost or paying the fee (if any) to change your ticket.

Airlines will post on their website if they'll allow you free changes because of upcoming storms. They'll probably be labeled as "travel advisories". They'll be put out 2-3 days ahead of the predicted storm.

Keep an eye on your airline's website.