We were sipping Aperol Spritzes in Italy when Lisa’s phone buzzed.
Flight home cancelled.
The airline’s “solution” was rebooking us three days later. No thanks. We knew exactly what to do to get home on our original travel day – without paying a dime.
Here’s the exact process we followed.
Call the airline immediately
Get in the queue right away while you start looking for solutions yourself.
In our case, the first option they offered was a three-day delay. We stayed polite but firm and didn’t accept it.
It took forever to get through on the phone and they kept putting us on hold while they checked. But that just gave us time to do our own research.
Check alternate airports and routes yourself
While on hold, we searched Google Flights for all possible options.
That means checking nearby airports (sometimes within a short train or bus ride), earlier or later flights, and even creative combos like taking a train to another city and catching a flight from there.
Airlines are more likely to approve changes when you can present them with specific options that are available right now.
In our case, this proactive search made all the difference. We had backup routes ready before the airline even finished pulling up their list.
Ask for rebooking on partner airlines
This is one of the most powerful tools you have when a flight is canceled, but most airlines won’t mention it because it often costs them more.
If your airline is part of an alliance or has codeshare partners, they can usually rebook you on one of those flights at no extra cost to you.
You just have to ask.
When our flight home from Italy was canceled, the airline first offered us a seat three days later.
While they were “looking into options,” we searched online and spotted a partner airline with a flight leaving just one hour later from the same airport. It just meant connecting in Frankfurt rather than a nonstop flight home.
We gave the agent the exact flight number and departure time, they confirmed it was available, and within minutes we were rebooked. Getting us home the same day instead of wasting three extra days and nights abroad.
If all else fails, take the refund
If the airline can’t get you on a flight that works for your schedule, you are entitled to a full refund regardless of whether your ticket was “non-refundable.”
This applies in both the U.S. and the EU when the airline cancels your flight. Sometimes this is the fastest way home, especially if you find a replacement flight yourself on another airline.
We’ve done this before when the only option the airline offered was days later. We took the refund, booked a flight on another airline that left within hours, and got home on time.
If you go this route, keep all receipts for any extra costs (like baggage fees on the new ticket). Depending on the reason for the cancellation and local regulations, you might still be entitled to compensation or reimbursement for those expenses on top of your refund.
Leverage your travel insurance and credit card benefits
If your flight is canceled or delayed, don’t just stop with the airline’s offer. This is where your travel insurance, credit card perks, and legal protections can make a huge difference.
We’ve had multiple canceled or missed flights over the years, and our World Nomads travel insurance has paid out every time. It has reimbursed us for last-minute hotels, meals, taxis, and even replacement flights when the airline wouldn’t. Filing a claim was straightforward, and the payouts saved us thousands. That peace of mind alone is worth the cost of coverage.
Your travel credit card might also include trip delay or cancellation benefits. We always buy travel with the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. It gives 3x points for every dollar spent on travel and includes all kinds of travel protection. The credit card benefits often overlap with travel insurance but can pay out even faster for things like meals or hotel stays during a delay.
The takeaway? Always travel with coverage you understand and trust, know what’s in your credit card’s fine print.
Pro Tip: Know the laws in the countries you touch while traveling
Even if you’re only connecting through a country, its passenger rights laws may apply to your trip. And they can be more generous than you expect.
For example, in the EU and UK, Regulation 261/2004 and UK261 cover not just flights departing from these regions, but also flights arriving if they’re on an EU or UK airline. That means if your trip includes a layover in Paris, London, or Rome, you might be entitled to compensation of up to €600 or £520 for long delays or cancellations, plus coverage for meals and hotels while you wait.
One time our flight from Mexico City to Frankfurt was delayed by seven hours and we each received €600 euros in compensation.
In Canada, the Air Passenger Protection Regulations require airlines to compensate you in certain cases and to provide meals, communication access, and accommodations for significant delays.
Even Australia has consumer protection rules that can help if your airline fails to deliver the service you paid for.
The point is: before you fly, check the passenger rights for every country on your itinerary, including connections.
Final Thoughts: What to Do if Your Flight is Cancelled
Flight cancellations are stressful, but they don’t have to derail your trip.
The key is to act fast, know your options, and be prepared to advocate for yourself. Airlines often won’t offer the best solutions unless you ask for them. And sometimes you have to know the rules better than they do.
We’ve turned cancellations into same-day rebookings, avoided extra costs, and even scored compensation just by being proactive and informed. Pair that knowledge with solid travel insurance, and you can protect both your trip and your wallet.
The bottom line: when your flight gets canceled, don’t just accept the first option you’re given. With the right tools, information, and a little persistence, you can still get where you’re going – on your terms.
Follow Us!
Follow us on the socials for honest stories about what full-time travel really looks like: the good, the unexpected, and the parts no one talks about.
TikTok
Facebook
Instagram