Airline delays caused by bad weather, traffic control problems, and mechanical repairs are hard to predict. If your flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook you on their first available flight to your destination, at no additional charge. If you are able to find a flight on another airline, ask the first airline to endorse your ticket to the new carrier. This could save you a fare increase but there is no rule requiring them to do this.

Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers—there are no federal requirements. If your flight is delayed or canceled, ask the airline if it will pay for meals or a phone call. Contrary to what many people believe, airlines are not required to do so.

Selling more tickets than there are seats is not illegal. Most airlines overbook their flights to compensate for “no-shows.” If there are more passengers than seats just before a plane is scheduled to depart, you can be “bumped”—left behind against your will. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to ask people to give up their seats voluntarily, in exchange for compensation. Airlines decide what to offer volunteers—money, a free trip, food, or lodging.

Federal rules protect you if you are “bumped” on most flights within the U.S. and outbound international flights. The airline must give you a statement describing your rights. If the airline is not able to get you to your final destination within one hour of your original arrival time, you may be entitled to an on-the-spot payment as compensation. The amount depends on the price of the ticket and the length of the delay. To receive this payment, you must have a confirmed reservation. You must also meet the airline’s deadlines for ticketing and check-in. An airline may offer you a free ticket on a future flight in place of a check, but you have the right to insist on a check.

If your bags aren’t on the conveyor belt when you arrive, file a report with the airline before you leave the airport.

1. Insist that they fill out a form and give you a copy—even if they say the bag will be on the next flight.

2. Get the name of the person who filled out the form and a phone number for follow up.

3. Confirm that the airline will deliver the bag to you without charge when it is found.

Some airlines will give you money to purchase a few necessities. If they don’t provide you with cash, ask what types of articles would be reimbursable, and keep all receipts.

If a suitcase arrives damaged—the airline will usually pay for repairs. If an item can’t be fixed, they will negotiate to pay you its depreciated value. The same is true for belongings packed inside. Of course, airlines may refuse to pay for damage if it was caused by your failure to pack something properly rather than the airline’s handling.

If your bag is declared officially lost, you will have to submit a second, more detailed form within a time period set by the airline. The information on the form is used to estimate the value of your lost belongings. Airlines consider the depreciated value of your possessions, not what you originally paid or the replacement cost. The maximum an airline pays on lost bags and their contents is $1250 per passenger. On international trips, the limit is $9.07 per pound.

If the airline’s offer doesn’t fully cover your loss, check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to see if it covers losses away from home. Some credit card companies and travel agencies also offer optional or even automatic supplemental baggage coverage.

On those trips when you know you are carrying more than the liability limits, you may want to ask about purchasing “excess valuation” from the airline when you check in. Of course, there is no guarantee the airline will sell you this protection. The airline may refuse especially if the item is valuable or breakable.

1. http://www.consumeraction.gov/caw_travel_safety.shtml