On several occasions, flights I've scheduled to Europe were cancelled because of bad weather. At least twice that has meant not getting to leave the U.S. for another 24 hours (possibly because the airplane couldn't get to my departure point).<BR><BR>Question: What happens to air/hotel package deals when you're a day late arriving through no fault of your own? Has anyone experienced this situation?<BR><BR>

I don't think that the airlines are obligated to put you up overnight because the delay was weather-related (acts of God). However, if it was mechanical failure or something that was truly under the control of the airline, you would have been put up overnight on the airline's nickle.

Thanks, that sounds right.<BR><BR>But what I'm really wondering is what happens to, for instance, the hotel reservations. If I've paid for a three-night air &amp; hotel package deal, but bad weather keeps me from getting there the first night, do I get a discount on the hotel? Do I get to extend my hotel/flight by an extra day? Do unaffiliated tour dealers (e.g., go-today.com) handle the situation differently than airline-sponsored dealers do?<BR><BR>Unfortunately, I suspect the answer is that I would just wind up out of pocket and with a shortened vacation. But if that's wrong, I'd like to know it.

Tahl, those would be great questions to ask the package supplier BEFORE you book! All else being equal, you could possibly book the package that would let you extend.

Tahl, I think you have to absorb the loss based on the scenario you described. If the airline was at fault, you might be able to get something out of the airline for the delay.<BR><BR>Have you looked into buying travel insurance for reimbursement? If it's only one night you're concerned about, the cost of the travel insurance might not be worth it.<BR><BR>I don't know if the airline or tour group would extend your stay by one day, I kind of doubt it, but its a good question to inquire about directly with the airline or tour group. If the hotel doesn't grant you a free night on the other end to compensate for the night that you did not arrive, you're in the same boat, having to pay for an extra night. I suppose that individually, we have to accept some risks for these delays.<BR><BR>Have one other thought, if you aren't buying a package deal (air and hotel included) and you've reserved the hotel separately, you should call the hotel once you know that you will be delayed and change the reservation (think of it as the 6pm guaranteed room rule that is so prevalent in the US). That way, you might not be out of pocket for the night you are delayed, unless you agreed to a 1 night cancellation penalty when you made your reservation.