2-week backpacking trip
Documents, money, packing and the first night for a two-week trip with one backpack.
16 itemsStart
Flight cancelled: what to do and claim
Get on another flight fast, keep your receipts and claim what the rules allow.
In the first 10 minutes (5)
- Screenshot the cancellation notice and any reason given
- Check the airline app for free rebooking
- Join the desk queue and call or chat with the airline at the same time
- Check other flights yourself, so you can ask for a specific one
- Do not accept vouchers or a refund before you know your optionsTaking a refund can end the airline's duty to get you there.
Choose (5)
- Next available flight, or another date that suits you
- Ask about another airline or other transport if it is much sooner
- Or take a refund if you no longer need the trip
- Booked through an agent? Ask who must handle the change
- Connecting? Check your whole ticket and where your bags are
Keep costs and proof (5)
- Ask the airline for meal vouchers and a hotel
- Pay for what you must, reasonably, and keep every receiptLuxury hotels and alcohol are unlikely to be paid back.
- Tell your hotel, car hire and anyone meeting you
- Save your boarding pass, booking and all messages
- Check your travel insurance and the card you paid with
Claim: departing the UK (4)
- UK flights: choose refund or reroute, and get care while you waitCovers any airline leaving the UK, and UK or EU airlines arriving in the UK. EU rules are similar.Open
- Told less than 14 days before? You may also get compensation
- Bands: £220 short, £350 medium, £520 long haul, sometimes lessIt depends on the distance and how late the new flight arrives.
- Bad weather or air traffic strikes usually mean no compensation
Claim: US and elsewhere (4)
- US: you are owed a refund if you decline the rebookingDue in 7 business days for card payments, 20 calendar days for other payments. Check the DOT page for the latest.Open
- US: compensation for a cancellation is up to the airline, so ask anyway
- International trip: delay costs may be claimed under the Montreal Convention
- Elsewhere: look up your country's aviation regulator
Send the claim (4)
- Write to the airline with your booking, flight, date and receipts
- Say what you want and by when
- Keep a copy of all you send
- No answer or a refusal? Go to the regulator or a dispute scheme
Written from www.caa.co.uk
Similar
Before a long road trip: car checklist
What to check a week before and the night before, so the car is not the story of your trip.
21 itemsStart
First day in a new city
Getting set up on arrival: money, phone, transport and a safe base.
10 itemsStart
Flight day
From the night before to the gate, for one flight.
11 itemsStart
Hostel check-in
What to sort out in the first ten minutes at a new hostel.
11 itemsStart
Hotel booking missing on arrival
The desk can't find your booking: stay calm, gather proof and get a room tonight.
20 itemsStart