Airport Hassles for Travelers

credit: greg westfall

With airlines going into bankruptcy, travelers knew that 2008 would be a hard year to fly. Overbooked flights, flight cancellations, and policy changes have decorated headlines, warning us about what to expect as we walked through airport doors. But if you’re planning on travel anytime soon, follow CNNMoney’s Airline Travel Guide:

• Know Your Rights: If your flight gets canceled or delayed, have access to the airline’s contract of carriage, which is available on its website. The contract of carriage will detail whether you have rights to meal vouchers, a hotel stay, or first-serve basis on the next available flight.
• Use You Credit Card: If your flight gets canceled or the airline files for bankruptcy, you stand a much better chance of getting your money back if you paid with credit.
• Protect Yourself: Airlines look out for themselves, not for you, so you need to protect yourself. Make sure your airline has a good track record by visiting Flightstats.com. Then, when you book, make sure to give the airline your cell phone number, not your home phone number. In the event of a flight cancellation, the airline will probably give you a call, and if you’re one of the first passengers to be reached, you’ll have a much better chance of rebook.
• Book ASAP: As soon as you know your travel plans, book your flight. With rising fuel costs — and their corresponding fuel surcharges — the earlier you book, the less expensive your flight.

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