Our wintry weather has caused so many problems with airline flights this week. These delays, cancellations, and seat bumps due to overbooking can often create a sense of helplessness. With that in mind,  AFAR has offered some tips on how to better control our travel experience when things go wrong:

1. Go rogue when asking for help: AFAR suggests that we multi-task to solve our problem. Don’t just wait in line for hours to rebook your flight. Instead, while waiting, reach out to the airline through social media and also phone an agent for hopefully faster help.

2. Lounge while you wait: While waiting for your next flight, consider resting at one of your airport’s nearby lounges. While you might be lucky enough to have access through a loyalty program, I’ve enjoyed using Lounge Buddy. For a fee, this service can get you into some nice lounges that might have food, internet, comfy seats and, at times, even showers. Click HERE to learn more.

3. Seek trip delay protection from credit cards: AFAR notes that many credit card companies provide trip delay or trip interruption insurance on travel booked with that specific card. This could include covering hotel or food costs on flights that were severely delayed for various reasons or paying the cost of clothing and necessities in case your luggage is lost. Note that each card’s protection plan is different.

4. Know your options: This includes the possibility of receiving hotel/food vouchers as well as gift cards.

5. Claim your miles: AFAR suggests that, if you get rebooked on another airline, claim the miles for your new flight because frequent flier information does not always transfer over (especially if it’s on another airline).

To learn more, click HERE.