For those of you worried about flight cancelations, know that checking the history of your flight is only one part of the picture. Some seemingly random chains of events can lead to cancelation of just about any flight at any time. Primarily weather and crew issues are to blame, with missed connections, crew shortages and illnesses, and regulations on shift lengths and rest periods. Those are more likely in winter and with Covid, which is why you're seeing this happening now. It's almost impossible to predict. I don't say that to scare you, but instead to share a better way to be prepared. If you want advice from this recently-minted Million Miler, read on.
Beyond having the airline app on your phone, being logged in and making sure you've opted in to mobile alerts and text messages, the single best thing you can do is to have handy a list of alternate flights you can switch to, in the order you prefer. Your airline app and travel apps like TripIt usually have a button on your itinerary screen for this, or you can look it up in the app or on the website by looking for the schedule or pretending to book a new flight. The moment your flight is delayed or canceled, you can switch to another flight without change fees and (on most airlines) without paying fare differences. (Even if it's delayed 10 or 15 minutes, this option should show up. If there is bad weather or there seems to be a string of cancelations happening, it might be to your advantage to take the risk of changing in the event the flight is eventually canceled.)
The airline app or website may provide a pop-up button or a link via text to make the change online, which you should do. But you also want to simultaneously get on the phone, DM the airline on Twitter (some have dedicated assistance accounts separate from their main one), and get into the chat queue on the app or website. Keep all those going until you see the change made on your itinerary on the app or the website. For extra measure, you can also physically get in line at the help desk in the terminal, or back at the check-in counter if you haven't gone through security (or are willing to go through security again). If you have lounge access, that's another good trick as those agents in the club can do just about everything. (Note that the folks at the gate often can't help you, depending on what stage the flight was at when it was canceled.) They key is to jump on that change the moment you know you need it, and get ahead of all the other folks on your flight for the most options.
Once you get an agent, they'll probably know your flight is canceled, but have your booking number ready and tell them the flight you want to jump to. Tell them you have a list, so they know you can move quickly and ask for the next option if the one they check is full. (It's to their advantage to get you rebooked quickly too, so they can move on to the next person.) BE NICE and pack your patience. Then THANK THEM for helping once you're rebooked. It's the right thing to do, but it might also get you a better seat or a complimentary upgrade or drink coupon.
Here's to everyone getting to Orlando safely and with enough time to prepare for their races!
but I’m exploring every option at this point. My husband thinks I should just Uber from the airport instead. I’ll be riding the busses to/from parks mostly during non peak times so hopefully they are empty.
I usually aim for indoor plumbing, but with this pandemic, and having seen during W&D that hardly any runners donned masks to enter indoor restrooms, I’m starting to wonder: what’s actually safer during an Omicron surge - a single porta-potty that gets fresh air every time it’s opened, or a large indoor restroom full of unmasked runners??? I’m leaning toward the porta-potty, TBH. And I’ve never really paid attention to where those are on the course, other than noticing the long lines for them. This one’s feeling hard to visualize & plan for.
