Like taxes and the weather, flight cancellations are out of your hands. Because plan as you might, there’s no way you can predict when a flight will be cancelled. But that doesn’t mean you’re completely powerless. Here’s how to handle flight cancellations like a pro.
The Reframe: Making Lemonade from a Grounded Flight
Even the suckiest situation has a silver lining. That’s what we always say. Or maybe that’s just all the mindset work we’ve been doing. Anyway, if positive self-talk isn’t your thing (we don’t judge) reframes are always helpful. Especially when faced with something that’s out of your hands.
As much as a cancelled flight sucks (with a capital S) it can help to understand the why. Emirates flights generally aren’t cancelled for no reason. In other words, when their flights are cancelled, there has to be a really really good reason. Because think about it - as inconvenient as flight cancellations are for you, they can be the kiss of financial death for airlines.
Emirates only cancels flights when they have to. Read: getting on that flight may result in death. We’re talking about something faulty with the plane, bad weather, air control restrictions or some other unforeseen technical issues.
Because Crying Won’t Help. Do This Instead
Once you’ve made peace with the fact that you aren’t going anywhere, it’s time to act. Even if all you want to do is cry or scream at the airline. Neither of which we recommend. Instead, get a coffee, take a few deep breaths and start thinking about your next steps.
The good news (see silver lining) is that in the case of a cancelled flight, you have a few options. A great first step is to double check the status of flight. You never know the airline might already have made alternative plans.
Once you’re sure the flight has been cancelled, it’s time to contact Emirates customer support. Just make sure you have your booking reference number and other identifying information on hand. This is where you can start exploring your different options. Speaking to a customer support representative will help you decide whether you want to rebook, get a refund or pursue other compensation.
When all You Want is a Warm Bath. And Another Flight
You couldn’t be bothered with coupons and refunds. All you want is to rebook your flight. Well - you are in luck. You have quite a few options. And while it might take some time to find a new flight, knowing what you want is half the battle.
The most obvious route is to just book another Emirates flight. Sounds easy. In most cases, this is the best way to go. But you may have to wait, there may be layovers or other flight changes. If you can’t find a flight that suits you, you might have to look for a partner airline. For more on rebooking on a partner airline, see the Emirates website.
And then there’s the open ticket. The good-to choice for the chilled, laid back traveller with more time than money to burn. The open ticket lets you book a new flight at another time. If this is something you’re interested in, it’s best to speak with an Emirates representative.
When Refunds Won’t Cut it
You might be eligible for a refund or other compensation. Of course - this depends on a few things like the length of the delay as well as the reason for the delay. The good news is that Emirates adheres to EU and international compensation guidelines. But before you do contact Emirates, it’s important to know your rights and to spend some time reviewing their refund policy.
Requesting a refund is actually a simple process and you can start the process from their website or the Emirates app. Be sure you have all the necessary documents and any correspondence you might have had with Emirates before you get the ball rolling.
Instead of a full refund, Emirates might offer vouchers or travel credits. This sounds good but you need to be careful. Most travel vouchers have expiry dates or other restrictions. We have even seen cases where the vouchers aren’t equivalent to a cash refund. So watch your back, and make sure you know what you’re agreeing to.
Baking the Unforeseeable into Your Travel Plans
Travel is exciting. It’s a time for exploration and adventure. So asking you to start this journey thinking about what might go wrong seems counterintuitive. It’s also just .. wrong. That’s not what we’re suggesting.
We do recommend getting smart about how you plan your travel. It is possible to enjoy the process without fretting over what could go wrong. And that starts with you building in space for things to go wrong. For example, you could look into travel insurance.
Travel insurance is your peace of mind that even if things do go wrong, you’re covered. And by investing in comprehensive travel insurance you’ll be covered for everything from lost luggage and medical emergencies to flight cancellations.
Another thing you should do is stay in the loop. Always. You can sign up to get alerts and updates from Emirates so you’re not caught by surprise. Oh and we also recommend that you pack a change of clothes and other essentials you might need in your carry-on. This is just an in-case. Imagine being stuck at the airport for 18 hours without a change or clothes or toothbrush. Not fun.
Your Partner in the Air. And on the Ground
As overwhelming as travel can seem, it’s magical when you’re in the air. And that’s where we come in. We’re here to help with any travel questions for queries you might have. Especially if you’re thinking about selling your miles and are unsure where to start. Reach out today. We’d be happy to help.
