A global technology outage disrupted several major airlines, causing thousands of flight cancellations and delays on Friday. The tech outage impacted banks, media outlets, and hospital systems around the world as well. Many travelers were left stranded at airports, waiting for hours to check in and board their flights.
Key Takeaways
- Global tech outage caused flight disruptions for major airlines.
- Refunds and rebooking options are available for affected travelers.
- Travel insurance and credit card coverage can provide additional compensation.
The Cause of the Outage
The problem stemmed from a software update by CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity company. Over the course of the day Friday, the various impacted systems slowly made their way back to operational normalcy. Airlines such as Allegiant Air, American, Delta, Spirit, and United were temporarily grounded, leading to significant delays and cancellations at major hubs like Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and New York.
Refund and Rebooking Policies
If your flight was canceled or delayed due to the tech glitch, here’s what you need to know about reimbursement for your disrupted flights:
- Refunds: Consumers are entitled to a refund if an airline cancels a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel. Refunds are also given if the airline makes a “significant schedule change” or “significantly delays” a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel.
- Rebooking: Several major airlines, including Delta, American, and United, have issued waivers to customers to reimburse their flights or allow them to rebook travel at no additional cost. For example, Delta and United customers can rebook travel up to July 25, while American Airlines is waiving change fees for those booked to fly on Friday.
- Additional Compensation: Most airlines offer meal vouchers and hotel accommodations for customers affected by cancellations. Meal vouchers are typically provided when passengers wait for three hours or more, and hotel accommodations are offered for overnight cancellations.
Steps to Get Reimbursed
To start the reimbursement process, call your airline’s customer service line or visit the customer service desk if you’re already at the airport. Here are the steps to follow:
- Contact Customer Service: Reach out to your airline’s customer service to initiate the refund or rebooking process.
- Provide Necessary Information: Be ready to provide your flight details and any other required information.
- Request Additional Compensation: Ask about meal vouchers and hotel accommodations if your delay or cancellation qualifies.
Travel Insurance and Credit Card Coverage
Situations like this highlight the importance of travel insurance. Most travel insurance policies cover canceled flights or those delayed by at least 3 to 12 hours. Some policies also cover accommodation and food costs, missed trip events that were pre-paid, and added costs for meeting up with your cruise or travel group.
If you don’t have a separate travel insurance policy, check if your travel credit card offers cancellation or delay coverage. Many travel credit cards provide this benefit, so it’s essential to stay up to date with your card’s terms and conditions.
Conclusion
While the tech outage caused significant disruptions, affected travelers have several options for reimbursement and compensation. By understanding airline policies, utilizing travel insurance, and leveraging credit card benefits, you can navigate the aftermath of such events more smoothly.
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