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So the Polar Vortex Got Your Flight Canceled. Now What? Try Your Airline's App

Jan. 30, 2019
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3 min read
Cancelled flights on airport board
So the Polar Vortex Got Your Flight Canceled. Now What? Try Your Airline's App
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So, it's -22 degrees out, the wind chills are unbearable and your flight out of Chicago to somewhere warmer has been canceled. Now what?

Well, first and foremost -- welcome to winter in the US Midwest and Northeast. Cancellations this time of year aren't a rare occurrence. In fact, so far, 1,400 flights have been canceled this week alone due to the polar vortex. But what do you do when the weather gets between you and your destination? What's the easiest way to rebook a canceled flight? Well, it depends on the airline.

Recently, Southwest has taken some new measures to improve communication with customers through a Live Chat setting on their mobile app. The feature is currently still in its beta phase and is only being offered to a limited number of users. In order to gain access, you must be a Rapid Rewards Member, logged into the latest version of the Southwest Mobile App (version 6.1.0 or newer) and then selected at random to connect to Live Chat.

So, for now, the Live Chat option is limited. However, if you are accepted, the chat option is a simple way to talk to customer service personnel if you have an iPhone or Android. The new feature can be accessed on the contacts options page in the app and available from 6am to 8pm Central Standard Time (CST).

As of now, United doesn't have an in-app live chat option for customers to talk to representatives. However, a UA spokesperson informed TPG via email that the airline is "looking at the possibility of adding a chat feature into the app." As of now, customer service can be contacted best through Facebook and Twitter. United also offers customers the option to select alternate flights in the app if yours is canceled.

The Fly Delta app also offers a similar pop-up feature for when your flight is canceled. It also offers a list of options for contacting customer service. However, the airline's chat platform of choice is Twitter, where you can chat with reps 24/7 to change flights.

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American Airlines offers "instant rebooking" that allows customers to find a new flight without waiting in line at the airport or calling the customer service hotline. They also offer priority booking to those with frequent flier status when an unexpected cancellation comes up. Although, the app has a tendency to glitch -- so communicating in person or over the phone with customer service might be a better option depending on your circumstance.

Circling back to status -- when rebooking a canceled flight, it definitely helps to be a frequent flier. TPG Lounge members on Facebook confirmed numerous experiences in which calling with status was the most convenient and beneficial way to rebook a flight on all three US legacy carriers.

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.