7 moves to make when your flight is canceled

The holiday season is a time when millions of people travel. But whether you are going to be airborne in the next couple of weeks or at another time of the year, flight cancellation is a risk you bear.

What do airlines owe travelers when they cancel a flight? Not a whole lot. But they will try to book you on the next available flight at no extra cost. That’s the case whether you’re stranded midway through your trip or are about to embark.

Some federal rules do apply. The U.S. Department of Transportation explains:

If your flight is canceled or diverted or experiences a lengthy delay, and you choose to cancel your trip as a result, you are entitled to a refund for the unused transportation — even for nonrefundable tickets — and for any bag fee that you paid.

Each airline has a policy on cancellations. Contact your airline to learn the policy. But here are seven more tips for coping with cancellations:

Do you have a flight cancellation story or tips to share? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

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