Travel Tip 72
What to do if your flight is cancelled
Departing Cusco, I’m only covered with US rules if I buy my flights from a US airline all on the same ticket.
If your flight is cancelled, move fast and multitask.
If you’re flying with another person, one of you should call the airline while the other checks the new DOT rules. If you’re flying solo and don’t have a laptop to look up the rules while you call the airline, call first and get in the virtual line on hold while you check the rules.
Even better, read the DOT Fly Rights here before you even go to the airport.
The highlights:
If the airline cancels your flight, they can offer you a different flight or travel credit, but you’re not obligated to accept either offer. You can ask for a refund, and they are required to give you the full fare you paid.
Significant flight delays (more than 3 hours on domestic flights and six hours on international flights) can be reimbursed in full.
Checked bag fees must be reimbursed if your bag is delayed more than 12 hours on a domestic flight or 15-30 hours on an international flight, depending on the route. Note, this new rule doesn’t get you insurance for lost luggage. I highly recommend travel insurance (I always have SafetyWing travel insurance) to insure your luggage and other trip expenses.
Flying around Tierra del Fuego in Chile is still in South America, but it sure feels like Antarctica.
This only applies to flights in the US or international trips to and from the US. Every country has its own rules, so if you have internal flights in a different country (like between Lima and Cusco) check that country’s rules for airlines.
Why did the rules change? Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in April 2024 that “passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them – without headaches or haggling.” Next year there will be a new Transportation Secretary, so here’s hoping that whoever that will be works as hard for travelers as Buttigieg did.
Blogs
Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel : Sol y Luna : Earthtones Tiny Homes
This weekend I’m staying at Explora Valle Sagrado and I’m super excited to write it up next week and share with all of you. In the meantime, here are some of the other amazing hotels I’ve stayed at in the Sacred Valley.