Are you one of the millions of Americans traveling over Thanksgiving? Are you worried that your travel plans might be disrupted, leaving you stuck in an airport? You’re not alone — traveling can be quite an adventure these days. However, there are several things you can do to help manage any issues that may arise during your trip. 

Understand your rights and the airline’s responsibilities

If your travel is delayed, canceled, or diverted due to weather, the airline is not responsible for covering expenses such as hotels or meals. Similarly, if you decide to forego part of your itinerary and rent a car instead, the airline won't cover those charges either.

That said, many airlines will pay for hotels and meals if the delay is due to something within their control, such as crew or aircraft issues. Keep in mind that for domestic flights, airlines are not required by the Department of Transportation to provide vouchers — some do, but others don’t.

Additionally, some airlines may accommodate you on a flight operated by a different airline, while others will not. It’s a good idea to research your airline’s policies ahead of time so you know what to expect. Sometimes, paying a little extra for your ticket might give you more security if your travel is disrupted.

Tips for smooth travel

Here are a few steps you can take to help ensure smoother travel:

Add an extra day for travel if possible. This provides a buffer in case of delays.

Choose the earliest flight of the day and avoid airlines that only offer one flight per day.

Pay with a credit card that includes travel insurance or consider purchasing travel insurance separately.

What to do if your travel Is disrupted

If your travel plans are disrupted, follow these steps:

Check your airline's app for updates. Often, you’ll be notified of delays through the app before hearing an official announcement. The app may also allow you to rebook automatically for a later flight or an alternate route without additional fees. In some cases, airlines let you rebook flights a few days earlier or later for free if they’re aware of incoming weather issues.

If the app doesn’t solve the issue, try calling the airline, though this might take a while. Alternatively, you can reach out to the airline’s social media team via platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, Instagram, or Facebook. Include your reservation number, itinerary, and preferred alternatives, such as “I would like to reschedule on flight 1234 with XYZ Airlines tomorrow.” Be realistic—if the disruption is weather-related, they can only help with rebooking, not perform miracles.

Book a hotel room early if you suspect you’ll be stranded at the airport. For example, if a blizzard is coming, it’s smart to secure a place for you and your family to stay. If you paid with a credit card that includes travel insurance, you may be reimbursed for those expenses up to a certain limit. You can also ask the airline for reimbursement, but they may not obligated to provide it. Be sure to keep all your receipts.

Thanksgiving is the busiest time of the year for travel.  Be patient with the delays and travel knowing what you can do if there is a problem.  But the final tip is be extra nice to the airport gate agent.  The way you treat them might make the difference whether you are on the next plane or not.  Kindness and gratitude should be practiced even in the airport.  Happy thanksgiving and safe travels.

Silene Walters is a CPA, the owner of Walters Accounting Inc in Stillman Valley. When she is not preparing taxes she travels with her husband George and shares her experiences on https://www.facebook.com/dreamoftraveling