What to do if your FLIGHT IS CANCELED at the last minute

FREE GUIDE: Exactly what to do step by step if your flight is canceled

STEP BY STEP what to do when the airline cancels flight at the airport. If you are stuck at the airport and wondering 'What should I do if my flight has been cancelled?' this video is the ultimate guide.

Your flight was canceled, what to do now? Airlines canceled my flights in the past, and now I am giving you the exact canceled flight tips to not only save you money but also have you looking like a pro traveler. We will cover:
-3 options you have when your flight is canceled
-Passenger rights when your flight is canceled
-How to get a refund from the airline
-How to search a flight on Google flights
-How to get a better flight
-How to avoid flight change fees
& more to get you on your way as quickly as possible!

& for those of us in Canada and Europe... CANCELLED flight tips and hacks so you know exactly what to do if your flight gets cancelled at the airport!
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Travel Insurance ($1.43/ day!)
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Chapters:
0:00 - Your flight was canceled
0:20 - Step 1: Go to the Lounge if you have access
0:37 - Step 2: Call customer service AND get in line for the airline representative
0:54 - Use airline app
1:17 - Step 3: Send text to anyone waiting for you at your destination
1:33 - Step 4: What are your passenger rights?
1:45 - Step 5: What are your options when a flight is canceled?
2:42 - Step 6: Call the airline from home for a refund
3:00 - When a new flight booking is better than a refund
3:20 - Step 7: Search a new and better flight with Google Flights
5:15 - Avoid flight change fees
5:50 - Step 8: Search for flights with new dates and destinations
6:52 - Step 9: Don’t accept anything that you don’t want, speak to a different agent
7:20 - Assert your passenger rights & what to say

// ABOUT

Welcome to Portable Professional, your go-to resource for stress-free travel.

Megan here, Hello! I’ve taken well over 300 flights and countless trips in the last decade. I have learned how to have seamless travel experiences without unnecessary stress and anxiety. I’m here to help you also feel confident about your travels while making the most of every trip.

Ready for stress-free travels? Subscribe and join us every Wednesday and Sunday for informative videos full of practical tips. You'll learn how to navigate airport security, pack like a pro, identify scams, and even uncover little-known hacks to take your travel to the next level. (these are my specialty!)

[itsnotme]

The flight cancellation. For me, when it's business...it's a problem, and I beg, plead, and do whatever is needed, because it's my living on the line there.
If it's a return trip home from a business trip, or a personal trip...then I try to get creative. Great advice Megan! I'll add some of your tips to mine. You are SOOO right about treating the Customer Service rep and Ticket Agents politely. I had a flight that was just full and I'm a big guy and didn't mind taking a later not so full flight. The ticket agent asked me to take a seat and she would see if she needed me. Turns out she did not, but she upgraded me to First Class because I was nice enough to offer my seat (of course I didn't say what I wanted yet). Remember, be nice and the world can be yours! Haha.

[labtechsuperstar]

I had a portion of a flight canceled the day before I was to travel. I didn’t have to do anything. The airline sent me email and text letting me know that they had already booked me on a new flight. And it was way better than the original. I was given a nonstop flight and as a result arrived earlier to my destination.

[TimXMan]

You helped me book my flight now you're helping me deal with it's cancelation

[TheRudymentryGuide]

Absolute Genius! I used this recently and received a FULL refund from a major US airline known for not great customer service and forcefully removing passengers from overbooked flights.

[suzwittman]

I have been at the airport with a cancelled flight. I called my SIL to say the flight was cancelled and I was in a line with about 100 ahead of me. He gave me the phone number for that airline and within minutes I was scheduled on another flight leaving in an hour. I now always put the airlines phone number in my phone when I’m flying.

[mlhm]

For someone who travels a cancellation is just horrible and requires effort, time and may involve line standing that no one pays for. Chances are you booked early and have excellent priced tickets and have made reservations (hotel, car, restaurant, etc.) at your destination. Any issues in rebooking always ask for a supervisor and ask nicely for an upgrade. I have gotten upgrades when flights were cancelled. London>Boston - Singapore - Tokoyo.

[gwine]

I had a flight cancelled while we were sitting on the plane. Fun!

[luciejulien]

Hello, thank you for the trick of calling customer service as soon as you get off the plane. This is what happened to me last night. I missed my connection because our flight left Mexico late. Before leaving I had put the Westjet number in my contacts and I called as soon as I got off the plane heading for the baggage carousel. I was able to book a flight for the next morning. Thanks again.

[brianlee]

There was just a story on CNN with Mary Shiavo talking about how airlines, (the story was mostly about how Southwest has gone into the tank), are not honoring the refunds you talked about here. One guy was on hold for 13+ hours total

[je]

In case anyone is interested:
I recently flew this exact connection:
Lax to Muc with Lufthansa.
Thank you for the interest.

[garywhittaker]

I've negotiated first class seats instead of coach because of a
flight cancellation. Be sure to be nice.

[letterbox]

Ohmygosh Megan,
Yesterday I was in baggage checkin line to drop off my baggage but then the flight got cancelled. I mean I was standing in line... because of your channel, i knew to ask for a full refund. Nothing less. They gave me a card to pursue for a refund saying " we don't do refunds here". Ha. Anyway, they offered the same time next day for similar flight but I fear they will cancel again. So I took money elsewhere, to an regional airport closer to home and now I'm about to take off next morning instead of at 6pm. P.s. there have been 6000+ cancelled flights in the U.S. last three days

[jamesamberg]

New to me: airline alliances, DOT passenger rights. It is so hard to stay calm in these situations. Thank you for all your wonderful videos

[JM-puiv]

I love your tips: airline alliances, DOT passenger rights, be polite yet firm. Thank you for all your wonderful videos.

[xfhnhhgjbvcfg]

I just received compensation from American Airlines because they have a policy that states if you arrive 3 hours or more late to your final destination then you are eligible for compensation.
Took a couple of different emails and physically copy and pasting the policy to the email before I was compensated but well worth it. They will tell you anything and everything to not compensate you but hold your ground and be nice being polite and courteous goes a long way

[davidwilliams]

What if with a round-trip ticket I'm booked first class on the return flight, the flight is canceled for whatever reason, but the airline can book me on an alternate flight in economy? If I take the seat (and with no extra meds, I had to get home that day), am I entitled to a refund of the difference between first class and economy?

[magietagie]

I have only ever had one flight canceled. It was trip from NYC back home to Toronto. I was at LaGuardia Airport (which is a hole and super busy) the flight was canceled because of too much traffic at that airport. But luckily, I was early (shuttle insisted) and I was able to book another flight even earlier then mine was scheduled. So, I waited less time at the airport and got home faster.

[VegasNegus]

Another great and informative video Megan. Well done!

[madchatteress]

I had a direct flight home from Dublin to LA and after waiting 3.5 hours on the tarmac, Aer Lingus cancelled the flight. I spoke to two reps and they wanted me to take a flight with a tight connection in London two days later. I spoke with two agents and perhaps I gave up too quickly and purchased a flight home from Delta (different airline). After months of trying to get my refund, I only got about half of my money back and the insurance only gave me $150. I will never book with Aer Lingus as they did not show any interest in helping me. Wished I was more persistent but it was in the middle of the night and I was really anxious to get home and did not trust this airline to do the right thing.

[letterbox]

Airline alliances and google flights are amazing tips for savings. Also, your example on how to be nice but firm is very helpful! Thank you