Handling Travel Disruptions: Your Guide to Rescheduling and Rebooking

Handling Travel Disruptions

Travel disruptions are inevitable and unpredictable events that can affect the plans and expectations of travellers. Travel disruptions can be caused by various factors, such as weather conditions, natural disasters, health crises, political instability, security issues, or operational problems.

Travel disruptions can result in flight delays, cancellations, diversions, or missed connections, as well as changes or losses in accommodation, transportation, or activities. Travel disruptions can cause stress, inconvenience, and frustration for travellers, as well as additional costs and risks.

One of the most important steps that travellers can take is to reschedule or rebook their travel arrangements as soon as possible, to minimise the impact of the disruption and secure their alternative plans.

Rescheduling or rebooking can help travellers avoid or reduce fees, penalties, or losses, as well as obtain compensation or benefits from their travel providers.

However, rescheduling or rebooking can also be challenging and confusing, especially when travellers have booked their travel through different channels or platforms, such as online travel agencies (OTAs), direct websites, phone calls, or physical offices.

Here is a guide to rescheduling and rebooking in handling travel disruptions before departure, during departure, and after departure, as well as online tools and apps that can assist travellers.

As a travel management company in the UK we can help you cope with travel disruptions, travellers need to be prepared and flexible, and know their options and rights.

Before Departure

Before travellers start their journey from their origin to their destination, they should take some proactive measures to prepare for possible travel disruptions and facilitate their rescheduling or rebooking process.

• Check the status of your flight regularly. You can use the airline’s website, app, email notifications, or text messages to monitor any changes or updates on your flight schedule, such as delays, cancellations, or gate changes. You can also use third-party websites or apps to track your flight status and receive alerts.
• Review your booking confirmation and itinerary carefully. Make sure that you have all the relevant information and documents for your travel arrangements, such as reservation codes, ticket numbers, confirmation numbers, contact details, and cancellation policies. Print out or save a copy of your booking confirmation and itinerary on your phone or email, in case you need to access them offline or show them to the airline staff or agents.
• Purchase travel insurance or protection plans that provide coverage and compensation for various travel-related risks and losses, such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, missed connection, baggage delay, baggage loss, medical expenses, or emergency evacuation. Compare different travel insurance or protection plans from different providers and read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what is covered and what is not covered, as well as how to file a claim or request a refund.
• If you decide to change or cancel your booking before departure due to personal reasons or preferences, you should contact your airline or OTA as soon as possible to request a change or cancellation. Be aware of the fees, penalties, or restrictions that may apply to your change or cancellation request.

During Departure

When you are at the airport waiting for your flight to depart, you may encounter unexpected travel disruptions that affect your flight schedule, such as delays, cancellations, diversions, or missed connections.

• Stay alert and informed by paying attention to any announcements or notifications from the airline staff or agents regarding your flight status or any changes or updates. Check the airport monitors or screens regularly for any information or instructions. Keep your phone charged and connected to the internet or Wi-Fi, so that you can receive any alerts or messages from the airline or the OTA.
• Be flexible and proactive if your flight is delayed, cancelled, diverted, or missed, so that you can act quickly and calmly to reschedule or rebook your flight as soon as possible. Consider all available options and alternatives and be ready to adjust your travel plans accordingly, such as changing your accommodation, transportation, or activities at your destination.
• Use multiple channels or platforms to reschedule or rebook your flight, like the airline’s website, app, kiosk, phone number, or counter. You can also use the OTA’s website, app, phone number, or chatbot as each channel or platform may have different advantages and disadvantages.
• If you need help or guidance to reschedule or rebook your flight, you should approach the airline staff or agents at the airport politely and respectfully. Explain your situation clearly and concisely and ask for their assistance and suggestions. Ask for any compensation or benefits that you may be entitled to due to the travel disruption.