Booking Backup Flights (And Why Using Points Is Best)

Having to write this post is a testimony to the airlines being unreliable partners in getting you from A to B at the promised time. Maybe we were spoiled because of how efficient airlines operated before the pandemic. They were able to coordinate massively complicated schedules and made it all look easy. Of course, there were delays due to weather or unforeseen mechanical issues but they were able to compensate and eventually got you to your destination with a reasonable delay.

However, due to several issues beyond the scope of this post, airlines can no longer be depended upon to get you to your destination. In fact, some have even changed their contracts to say that if your flight is delayed more than a set amount of time, they can cancel it and only have to refund your money. No mention that, as a passenger, you’re home and soon have plans to be somewhere else or you’re away with no way to get back. Airlines claim you can buy a ticket with a different carrier but have you looked at prices for last-minute tickets recently? There’s no way you’ll be able to find a flight for the price you paid for the one they canceled.

While you may be able to get your hotel and meal expenses reimbursed by travel insurance, that isn’t going to pay the price of a new flight. I’ve already been through the stress of trying to find alternate plans in the middle of a horrible travel day and don’t want to go through that again if I can help it.

Since there’s no best airline when you need to get somewhere, it’s up to you to make your own backup plans. Since I’m not accustomed to making plans that I hope to cancel, I learned a few things along the way.

Decide for which flights you need to have a backup plan

I’m not overly concerned about having backup flights for our outbound flight. We’re headed for a week’s vacation and if we get there a few hours or even a day late, it’s not a dealbreaker. If that happens, I’ll have to try to get back points for the hotel stay and change our rental car booking, but that’s about it. It would be a different circumstance if I were traveling to see a show or leaving on a cruise that day.

The flight home is different. While we can deal with a flight delay, I’m more worried about our flight being canceled. If that happens, we may not be able to get home until the next day. I have to be at work (no WFH for me) and it would be a major hassle if I missed an additional day. Flights are already filling up and even if I could find a last-minute replacement, it would cost a pretty penny.

Know the rules for the airline you’re flying

Every airline has different rules. If an airline cancels your flight, you’re entitled to a full refund in the form of your original payment (either in money or points.) However, airlines usually try to rebook you on a different flight that might be at a different time or has a horrible route. Sure, it will get you there but it may not be the best way. In this case, you may want to cancel the reservation if you have a satisfactory backup plan.

You’ll need to know the airline’s cancellation policy concerning flight delays. The US Dept. of Transportation sets this rule for refunds due to flight changes and delays.

A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline made a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel.

DOT has not specifically defined what constitutes a “significant delay.” Whether you are entitled to a refund depends on many factors – including the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances. DOT determines whether you are entitled to a refund following a significant delay on a case-by-case basis.

Airlines set their own rules about what they consider to be a “significant delay.” Here is what American Airlines says on its website for nonrefundable revenue tickets (boldface is mine, for emphasis):

We do not refund nonrefundable American Airlines tickets except when the ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, when we make a schedule change that results in a change of more than 4 hours, upon the death of a passenger or passenger’s traveling companion or because of military orders.

However, the rules are different for award tickets:

You can cancel your award ticket anytime on aa.com. We will reinstate your AAdvantage miles up to 1 year after the ticket issue date as long as you cancel your ticket before the first flight departs. If you cancel your trip on aa.com, your miles will be reinstated automatically in many cases.

You’ll need to have over a 4-hour delay to cancel a revenue ticket but you can cancel an award ticket until the first flight departs. (I’ve read conflicting reports regarding if the time is based on the original departure time or when the delayed flight actually leaves.)

This means it’s a huge advantage to use AAdvantage miles for a flight you’re worried about getting delayed or canceled.

Find a suitable backup flight

Choosing a backup flight isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are several things you need to take into account. First, the backup flight usually can’t be on the same airline as your first ticket. Besides, why would you put all your eggs in one basket? In addition, airlines will not let passengers book consecutive flights.

You’ll need to find another airline to get you to your destination. For our needs, the best backup is Southwest. This is great because Southwest has one of the most generous cancellation policies for revenue and award tickets.

Southwest allows you to cancel a flight up until 10 minutes before departure. If you cancel a flight booked with points, they will be refunded to your account. If you paid for your ticket, Southwest issues a flight voucher good for 1 year from the date of purchase.

You might not find a suitable cancellation policy for a backup flight depending on the airline. In this case, it may be necessary to book a full-fare refundable ticket. Yes, these fares do still exist. They’re just way more expensive than the low-cost fares. However, you’re buying a backup ticket as a worst-case insurance policy.

If your original flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you need to get to your destination, you’d have to pay for a last-minute ticket on another airline. I’d bet that you’d need to pay significantly more for a same-day ticket than if you’re buying a refundable ticket in advance. Hopefully, you won’t need to use your backup plan but it’s there if you need it.

Recognize the costs involved

Regardless of how you book a backup ticket, there will be some cost involved. Either you’re going to tie up points or cash you’d be able to use elsewhere. If you need to book a different trip, you don’t want to have points tied up in a flight you won’t take. If you’re paying for the ticket and book close enough to your departure date, you may be able to get a refund soon enough to cover the charge before you need to pay the bill. Otherwise, you’ll have to float the money until you get the refund.

Don’t feel wrong about booking an extra ticket

When I was booking our backup flights on Southwest, the website said that there were only 2 tickets left at the low price. I’d booked those, yet have every intention of canceling the trip with only a few hours’ notice. My reservation keeps someone else from booking that flight and raising prices for everyone else.

I got over the guilt quickly by realizing I wouldn’t need to think about plans like this if I were confident the original airline would get me home on time for work the next day.

Look for all the possible pitfalls

There are a number of rules associated with flying that vary with each airline. You need to multiply that by 2 when booking backup flights. You need to understand the cancellation policies of both airlines, as you’re going to be asking for a refund from one of them.

In addition, if your original flight gets delayed after you check in, you might have to wait to get your bags returned (if checking a bag) and then check that bag in with the new airline. This adds additional time to the process you’ll need to account for.

With all possible hiccups, I’d recommend not booking any of these flights through a credit card portal or using a partner airline. For example, if you’re flying American Airlines, I wouldn’t want to book a flight using British Airways Avios. That’s an additional party you’ll have to deal with when trying to get a refund and time is limited during these situations.

Remember to cancel the extra ticket

Since you’ve booked an extra ticket, make sure to cancel the one you’re not going to use. If you fly on the original flight, cancel the other one before you board the plane. If you decide to go for your backup plan, cancel the original flight if it was only delayed.

Final Thoughts

I consider myself fortunate that I’m able to consider booking a backup flight so that I’m able to get to my destination when I need to be there. While I’m concerned about getting home on time, the same considerations would be in effect if you’re traveling somewhere for a special event (wedding, birthday, graduation.) Then the trip there is the most important thing and maybe not so much the flight home.

Previously, I said that collecting points and miles allowed us to take trips that we’d otherwise be unable to afford. In today’s environment, I appreciate that points enable me to take out some insurance so that I won’t be stuck in the middle of an airline meltdown.

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