The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
News
20,000 flights canceled in winter storm, but the worst may be behind us
Featured image by LUKE JOHNSON/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.
January 26, 2026 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This story has been updated with new information.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
A major winter storm caused over 20,000 flight cancellations across the U.S. since Saturday, with the worst disruptions on Sunday.
Airlines are working to restore normal operations, with significant improvements expected by Tuesday and near-normal schedules anticipated by Wednesday.
Flexible travel waivers have been issued, allowing affected travelers to change or rebook flights, even on typically restrictive tickets.
Travelers are advised to monitor their airline's app, follow local guidance for airport access and keep receipts for potential reimbursement if stranded.
What to consider
Travel waivers generally apply to trips booked through Monday or Tuesday, but terms vary by airline and itinerary.
Refunds are required for canceled or significantly delayed flights if you choose not to travel, regardless of the reason for disruption.
Airline-provided hotel or meal vouchers are usually only offered for delays within the airline's control, not for weather-related events.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed guidance on using travel waivers, refund rules and tips for seeking reimbursement if your trip is disrupted by weather.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
As millions of Americans dig out from a weekend of heavy snow and ice, airlines are racing to get operations back on track after the worst stretch of flight cancellations in a half-decade.
By noon EST Monday, airlines had canceled more than 4,300 flights nationwide, according to data from FlightAware.
That’s certainly a rough day at airports. But it was a significant improvement from the 11,000-plus cancellations Sunday, which represented the worst day for shuttered flights since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Behind all of these disruptions, of course, was the whopper of a winter storm that brought dangerous icy conditions to a large swath of the southern U.S. — and heavy snow as the system tracked northbound.
All told, the storm — dubbed “Fern” by The Weather Channel — has led to some 20,000 scuttled departures since Saturday, per FlightAware.
Fortunately, there’s promising news on the horizon: With the wintry conditions moving out, the travel forecast looked to be improving rapidly for Tuesday, with just 59 preemptive cancellations announced by midday.
A United Airlines regional jet taxis at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Still digging out
Monday was still a slog at some of the busiest East Coast hubs.
As the Northeast dealt with the tail-end of the winter storm, around 60% of all departures had been canceled by lunchtime at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), FlightAware showed.
The airport, New England's busiest, warned travelers that few airlines were operating.
Disruptions remained rampant in the New York City area, too. Close to half of all scheduled departures had already been canceled for Monday at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and over 40% of flights had been scrapped at nearby Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
To the south, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) continued to see cancellations pile up (nearly 200 and counting by noon). But that was a major improvement from Sunday, when nearly every departure was scrapped amid the brunt of the storm — leaving the airport's iconic National Hall in Terminal 2 eerily quiet for the day.
An empty terminal amid the snowstorm at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). ANNA RINGLE/PICTURE ALLIANCE/GETTY IMAGES
In an interview Monday morning on CNBC, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration expected air travel would mostly be back to normal by Wednesday.
Airline travel waivers in effect
Ahead of the storm, airlines issued flexible travel waivers to allow passengers to cancel, change or rebook their trips.
The waivers covered dozens of U.S. cities, with flexibility generally applying to trips booked through either Monday or Tuesday — depending on the airline and itinerary.
In most cases, flyers booked for the next couple of days can rework their itinerary even if they're flying on a ticket that usually bars changes — like basic economy.
Meanwhile, airlines were scrambling to untangle operations hit hard throughout the weekend.
Southwest Airlines on Monday told TPG it hoped to operate a mostly normal schedule Tuesday, as the hazardous conditions began to subside.
Going into the weekend, Delta Air Lines had planned to keep planes out of icy conditions, when possible, so they'd be in position to resume flying quickly once conditions allow.
Delta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) megahub, the world's busiest airport, was among those hit hard over the weekend, with more than 750 cancellations Saturday and Sunday, FlightAware showed — though cancellations improved significantly Monday.
A Delta Air Lines plane taxis at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
What to know if you have travel booked
If you're planning to fly Monday, there's still a good chance you'll run into trouble — if your flight hasn't already been canceled.
Here are some things you can do to prepare.
Consider flying Tuesday
While we'll still likely see some lingering travel disruptions Tuesday, it looks like it'll be a much better day at airports, overall.
If you're able to hold off on traveling until then, you're far more likely to have a smooth travel experience.
Keep an eye on those travel waivers (listed above) that airlines have issued. Those may allow you to easily make changes to your itinerary — whether that's canceling a trip or rebooking it for a later date.
MARK FELIX/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
Follow local authorities' guidance before going to the airport
Even if your flight is set to depart as planned, be sure to double-check that it's safe to actually get to the airport.
Follow the guidance of local authorities and monitor road conditions before attempting to make the trek to the terminal.
LUKE JOHNSON/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
Stay glued to your airline's app
Still holding out hope that you'll be able to fly?
Keep a close eye on your airline's mobile app. With most carriers, you can track your incoming aircraft and rebook yourself with a few clicks — which is much easier than standing in a long line at customer service, or waiting on hold by phone.
Several airlines have also beefed up their customer support chat in recent years, which is another avenue for getting assistance.
Remember: Refund rules still apply
If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you choose not to travel, you're entitled to a refund for the unused portion of your ticket.
It doesn't matter if the cancellation or delay was because of weather. If it happened — and if you decided to stay home and not fly — you get a refund.
On the flip side: If you agree to take a later flight (even if it's a lot later), you generally would not be owed a refund.
Southwest Airlines planes at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
How you can get reimbursed if you get stranded
If you do get stuck, keep your receipts.
Some travel credit cards have built-in trip insurance protections, and may help you get reimbursed for hotel, meal and other costs if you get stuck somewhere.
The most common caveat: You often can only get paid if you booked your trip with that card.
Just keep in mind, exact terms and protections differ from one card and policy to another, so review your card's explanation of benefits to see if you might be able to make a claim.
Airlines have promised certain things — like hotel nights, meals and ground transportation — for when travelers get stuck because of flight trouble. But in most cases, those guarantees are for flight woes that are the airline's fault (like maintenance).
Weather typically doesn't fall under that category, so ... you can certainly ask ... but I wouldn't be optimistic about getting these expenses covered by your airline.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
