Post Last Modified – April 11, 2025 ¦ gr8traveltips.com
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Beware Of The Pros & Cons Of Booking Low Cost Flights
Allegiant Airlines Review
A few seasons ago, my daughter and her friends returned from a short vacation to 🎰 Las Vegas,after taking one of those …
✈ Low Cost Flights ✈
offered in our part of the world.
After hearing about their unfortunate flight delay with ✈ Allegiant Airlines, it raised a number of questions regarding {Airline Travel Policies} and if it’s really worth; booking with a low cost carrier.
Each airline has their own {specific tariff or contract agreement}, made with you when booking.
Air Travel Policies Differ With Each Airline
We have been incredibly lucky over the years with air travel, having only been delayed a few times, due to; 🌧 weather and/or other issues.
The majority of our flights taken over the years have been with major carriers, and not with low cost airlines, where you will find many low cost flights. I’ve always being able to find cheap flights with my favorite carriers, by doing some thorough searching before booking.
Also, by subscribing to their own individual periodic 📭 email newsletters.
But as we all know, travel does come with unexpected interruptions, and when least expected. The more we are aware of this possibility, the easier they are to deal with, when they actually do happen.
Flight Delays With Low Cost Air Travel
Flight delays certainly are frustrating, particularly if you’re traveling on that … long awaited vacation. So, after my daughters delay at the airport of more than 11 hours, together with the eventual; cancellation of her flight afterwards, it got me thinking.
❓ What exactly is a person is entitled to, when a delay is the; cause of the carrier❓
After some searching and reading a few of the other airlines 🎫 ticket agreements, it definitely depends on which airline you happen to be flying with, and the specific reasons for the delay.
Cheap Flights With Allegiant – Contract of Carriage
As mentioned above, each airline has what is known as a; 📜 “Contract of Carriage.”
This contract must be shown on the airlines website. As with any contract that you enter into, it is strongly advised to read it. In this case, double check your chosen airlines … flight delay policies.
It could be well worth your while and save you a great deal of aggravation and stress!
Low Cost Flights – Travel Policies
Let’s take {Allegiant} just as an example and because this is the airline my daughter and her friends chose, because they were traveling on a strict budget and chose a their low cost flights.
All together, they were delayed a; full day and night due to; mechanical failure.
Below, I’ve included a copy of their; 📜 “Failure to Operate as Scheduled” portion, of their contract agreement with you.
Nowhere in this contract that I can see, is there a mention of any compensation for cancelled flights, or any other delay that is … Within the Airlines Control
This meaning; mechanical issues, crew delays and/or any other delays in which the airline control.
When you choose to fly with a {low cost airline} and with those who also have; {No Partner Airlines} associated with them, you are basically left out in the 🌨 cold, and at the mercy of that airline.
Air Canada’s Air Travel Policies
Here’s an example of what 🍁 Air Canada will do for you, in the event of a; Flight Cancellation, that was; Within Their Control.
As you can see, there is a significant difference, when choosing a major airline and especially one with associated; Partner Airlines.
Air Canada states that they will offer; meal vouchers, hotel, ground transportation and even an amenity kit if needed. Even with a delay of 2 hours or more under their control, you can obtain a voucher for; a 🥘 meal, at an airport restaurant or Air Canada Café service.
If you are going to travel a with a low cost flights with these types of airlines, then I strongly urge you to purchase; Cancellation/Delay Travel Insurance.
Be sure to check with a reputable professional …
👩 Travel Agent 👩
who can outline exactly what you {will be and will not be} covered for, in any disruption.
The U.S. Department of Transportation state that a number of airlines and especially low-cost budget airlines, usually will not provide; amenities to stranded passengers.
They go on to say, it never hurts to ask the {customer service agent} for that airline, at the airport anyway.
Review Airline Policies Before Booking Cheap Air Tickets
were introduced a few seasons ago, by the Federal Government.
Unfortunately, there are still with many loopholes the airlines can and have been using, to avoid compensation.
Be sure to read my detailed post here on this issue. To avoid disappointment, {Expedia} encourages customers to familiarize themselves with the; {Terms and Conditions} imposed by the airlines, before they book.
In the case of my daughters delayed flight due to; mechanical issues, had they chosen a; non-budget airline and paid a few extra dollars for their flight, I’m sure they would not have had to sit at the airport for over 11 hours.
Then, being told the flight was {Cancelled}, until the next day!
They would have had the right to; change their flight and/or perhaps given the opportunity to get on another flight with one of their; partner airlines. They would also be entitled to receive; meal vouchers, accommodation and incidentals. 🙁
To add insult to injury, they had to pay for their 🚕 taxi fare from the airport. They were sent to a smoke filled budget motel for a few hours, while waiting for a flight home the next day, with that carrier.
They are still waiting to be reimbursed for their 🚕 taxi fare to/from the airport, and were given {no meal vouchers} during their delay.
They have tried calling the airlines customer service on numerous occasions, but always receive the following message on the 📞 phone …
“We are currently experiencing high call volume and can’t take any more calls. Please try phoning back later.”
However, we all know that this seems to be the norm these days with most airlines worldwide, and not just budget carriers!
Always review your carrier’s tariff for its policy regarding; delays, cancellations and schedule changes. Learn more about your flight rights on the; 🍁 Canadian Transportation Agency website, as an example.
The United States and most other major international airlines, offer similar compensation for; cancelled or delayed flights.
So the moral of the story is, before you book one of those low cost flights, be sure to read the {fine print} in the airlines {contract of carriage} policies.
As the old saying goes … you usually always get what you pay for!
Also, if a delay does occur, try to be patient with staff and approach them in a; calm and friendly manner. These agents only work for the airline, they don’t actually own it. Unless of course, you’re a ✈ Westjet Airlines employee in Canada!
In conclusion, I also suggest booking your flights directly with your airline of choice, and not a third party. This will offer you much more protection and the airline will be responsible, for taking care of you.
Booking with a third party, will not offer priority from the airline for any assistance, if the need arises.
But having said that, I’m sure you’re probably aware that horror stories continue, even major airlines on almost a daily basis. I’m always hearing on the news of passengers stranded airports, due to a variety of issues.
The kicker is, there never seems to be airline customer agents readily available to assist these passengers, either at the airport, or on the phone. Things do not seem to be getting better for us paying passengers. 🙁
😎 Safe and Healthy Travels! 😎
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✨ Did You Know …
💰 The Best Day & Time To Buy Airline Tickets
🍁 New Canada Air Passenger Regulations
🧳 Delayed, Damaged or Lost Baggage At The Airport
🍹 Don’t Forget It … Be Sure To Pin It! 🍹
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