How to Manage Flight Disruptions with ExpertFlyer
Guide
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
- ExpertFlyer's disruption alerts notify you of cancellations and major delays via email.
- The disruption alert includes rebooking options, and gives you the disruption reason you need to claim compensation directly with the airline.
- Disruption Alerts are available for Premium and Elite members.
- Combining disruption alerts with other ExpertFlyer alerts can give a full monitoring system that tracks sudden disruptions, changes to schedules, and replacement of aircraft.
Overview
Flight cancellations or delays are common travel disruptions that can significantly impact your personal vacations or business trips. While most disruption causes are unavoidable, knowing how to stay ahead, act in the moment, and have next steps planned can help you minimize the impact.
ExpertFlyer allows you to set up disruption alerts to protect your connections, receive rebooking options via email, and get the right information to claim your entitled compensation directly with the airline.
Flight disruption and common causes
A flight disruption is an unexpected change to your scheduled trip that can result in your flight being delayed or cancelled.
The most common causes for a flight disruption are:
- Severe weather conditions
- Late arrival of aircraft
- Maintenance and mechanical problems
- Crew scheduling issues
- Air traffic control jam
- Ground operations
- Security incidents
No matter the cause, being in this situation can be frustrating and it can happen anytime. ExpertFlyer has expanded its alerts to include disruption alerts that can keep you ahead of changes, and act fast.
Use ExpertFlyer to protect your trip from disruptions
What are Disruption Alerts
Disruption Alert is an ExpertFlyer alert, available for Premium and Elite users, that allows you to track cancellations or major delays and suggest rebooking options.
How to set up a disruption alert
To set up a disruption alert, look for the Disruption Alert feature under Alerts
There are several ways to set up a disruption alert, and you will need to enter the following information to create it.
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Name | Useful for distinguishing from other alerts you might set up |
| Departure/Arrival Airport | Must create alerts by segment, not full trip |
| Depart Date | Include the departure date of the flight |
| Disruption Tolerance | Choose a time range for the alert trigger. Can choose from 2 hours to 8 hours |
| Number of passengers | Include the number of passengers on the flight |
| Airline and Flight Number | Include the operating airline and flight number |
| Rebooking Preference | Select between any, same airline, or same alliance. The same alliance option looks for partnership airlines under oneworld, SkyTeam, or Star Alliance |
Once that's done, you can check the test email option to verify if you're receiving the alerts correctly, and click create. If your flight has been disrupted, we will notify you via email with rebooking options and the cause of the disruption that you can use for reclaim purposes.
Disruption alerts can also be set up via Automated Alerts or Quick Alerts.
Disruption Alert vs Schedule Alert
Even though both alerts track schedule changes, they both have different purposes and uses.
Schedule Alert tracks changes to a flight's schedule and sends a notification if the departure time, arrival time, equipment, or routing is modified.
Disruption Alert tracks cancellations or major delays under a set of time tolerances and suggest rebooking options.
What to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled
Rebooking Options
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, ExpertFlyer will send you an email with potential rebooking options, and the reason for the disruption. Once you evaluate your options, it is recommended to approach the airline directly to confirming your desired rebooking option.
Rebooking options do not take into account your booked fare, seats or cabin. ExpertFlyer evaluates all possible options, and recommends up to three for you to evaluate.
If you have the time, you can use other ExpertFlyer features like Flight Availability and Seat Map to validate the fare class inventory and seat availability of your preferred rebooking option. This way you can check if your original business seats are available on the new flight.
Claiming Compensation
ExpertFlyer's disruption alert email includes the reason for cancellation along with the original booking details.
You can save this information to claim compensation directly with the airline. Before calling and filing your claim, make sure you have this information ready, and you've checked the airline's compensation policy. Some airlines might consider the delay or cancellation reason outside of their control. Which is why is always important to check their policies.
Bottom line
Flight disruptions are becoming more common, and the difference often comes down to how fast you can respond. ExpertFlyer's Disruption Alert puts the right information on your hands by notifying you the moment something changes, providing rebooking options, and giving you the documentation you need to file compensation. Combined with our other alerts, it can help frequent flyer protect their trips from booking to boarding.
FAQ
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