Airlines are canceling flights ahead of a winter storm. Here's what to do if your flight is delayed or canceled.

As a snowstorm heads toward the NYC area, airlines are delaying and canceling thousands of flights. Airlines must refund canceled flights. Some offer meals or a hotel in case of overnight stays. Several major banks offer credit cards that come with travel insurance. A winter storm expected to hit the Northeast is causing thousands of flight delays and cancellations. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for areas around New York City, extending into Connecticut and New Jersey. The service expects heavy snow accumulations between six and nine inches. About 1,400 flights in the US have been canceled, as of 2:20 p.m. ET, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware . Over 5,100 US flights have been delayed, per the service. Affected travel hubs, including New York's John F. Kennedy , LaGuardia , and Newark Liberty airports, have begun issuing weather warnings. Some airlines have begun offering solutions to travelers affected by the storm. JetBlue , Delta , and Southwest have all waived fare differences for those changing flights from airports around the New York metropolitan area. The delays and cancellations come during a high-density travel period around the winter holiday. AAA projected that 8.03 million Americans would fly domestically between December 20 and January 1. Here is the best advice for what to do if your flight is disrupted. 1. Know your rights as an airline passenger in the US According to the Department of Transportation , there is no law requiring US airlines to compensate passengers for disruptions caused by uncontrollable events, such as weather. That also includes air traffic control delays. The only rule carriers must follow is to refund customers in the event of cancellations, even for non-controllable events. And that does not mean travel credits or vouchers - it must be cash, and includes any add-ons, such as bags or seats. But carriers do not owe meals, hotel rooms, or financial compensation for storm-related cancellations or delays - because the cause is the weather, not the airline. Passengers are still entitled to a refund or rebooking on the same airline, but carriers are not required to provide additional accommodations or rebook on another airline. If you choose to travel but your flight is delayed or canceled, ask the airline for the reason - ideally in writing - so you know what you're entitled to. Airlines have different policies for disruptions they control, like crew or maintenance issues. The DoT's Airline Customer Service Dashboard - launched in 2022 - shows what the 10 largest US airlines promise in those cases, including rebookings, meal vouchers, and hotel accommodations. 2. Monitor your airline's app for rebooking options When a flight delay or cancellation is announced, expect people to flock to the nearest customer service line for assistance, and for the phone lines to clog. Wait times can be painfully long, and the best alternatives will likely go quickly. However, some airlines offer the option to rebook on their website or mobile app and waive any fees, making...

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