Lawyers.com > Understand Your Legal Issue > Consumer Law > Marriage: Delayed or Cancelled Flights

The wedding is over but airline problems threaten the honeymoon. What can you do when your flights are delayed or canceled? There are a couple of important steps to take before the trip and some things you should know once your flight is actually canceled.

Preparing for the Trip

Buy travel insurance. Just as you can buy wedding insurance to protect yourself against the costs incurred by canceling or postponing a wedding, you can also buy trip insurance. There are several companies that offer trip insurance which you can buy online or through a travel agent. Usually this insurance covers a wide range of disasters including canceled flights, medical emergencies, and lost luggage, and often comes with travel advice and assistance. Not only will this cover financial loss but it could also provide you with help finding another flight if necessary. Advise your guests who are traveling from out of town to attend the wedding to do the same.

Be prepared with extra money just in case. Whether you have to buy tickets on a different airline or just an extra meal in the overpriced airport restaurant having money set aside just in case assures that you're not eating macaroni and cheese every night of your honeymoon or for a month after returning home.

Have a backup plan. It's a good idea to know what you would do in the face of a flight problem before you actually encounter one. Know where alternative nearby airports are, take a few extra day's worth of prescription medications, and know where you could stay if you can't get to your destination.

After the Flight is Canceled

Stay positive. There are two good reasons for this. The first is that this is your honeymoon and your primary focus should be enjoying your new spouse regardless of where you are or what you're doing. An airport might not be the romantic setting you imagined, but take the time to enjoy being together. If you're on your way home at the end of your trip think of this as a little extension and a chance to spend a few more hours together before settling in at home. The second reason it's a good idea to stay positive is that in a sea of angry travelers you will stand out and might find airline employees who would much rather deal with helping you than somebody else.

Make sure to tell everyone that it is your honeymoon. You will find that many people will go the extra mile to help you. Even if they can't get you a new flight any faster there might be other things they could offer you like access to a VIP lounge.

Get help. If you are having a hard time working with your airline to find an alternate flight, enlist more help. If you have a travel agent, trip insurance, or bought your airline tickets through a service, contact them. One of you can always wait in line to talk to the airline employee while the other gets on the phone.

Get your money back. If your airline is unable to get you an alternate flight, get a refund. If your flight has been canceled because the airline has gone bankrupt you will have to go through your credit card company's dispute process in order to do this.

With a little planning you can minimize the impact of closed airports, canceled flights and bankrupt carriers. Travel insurance is always a good idea and a positive attitude now will help set the tone for the marriage.

Related Resources on Lawyer.com^sm

- Consumer Law articles and information
- Find a Consumer Lawyer near you
- Visit our General Consumer Rights for more help