Can You Cancel a Flight Reservation and Receive a Refund?

In general, you cannot receive a refund for most tickets purchased. The only requirement by the DOT is that airlines hold a reservation for 24 hours without payment, or refund a paid ticket (even a non-refundable one) if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase and you booked more than a week before your flight. Many tickets are non-refundable and are listed as such when you book. Be sure to read all information about the specific ticket you are purchasing.

If you feel that there is a chance that you may need to cancel your flight, be sure to check with your airline ahead of time to determine your options. Every airline has different policies and most charge fees to make changes to eligible itineraries.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Understand the Difference Between Airlines’ Products

Some airlines are called “legacy” airlines and they offer frequent daily flights to and from major hubs and to destinations around the globe. The four legacy airlines in the U.S. are American, Delta, Southwest and United.  Smaller airlines may be considered low-cost carriers or ultra-low-cost carriers (such as Allegiant, Spirit, Frontier and Jet Blue). They may offer flights to and from a shorter list of destinations (often leisure destinations), and their flight schedules can range from a few flights per day to just a few flights per week.

Be a savvy traveler! If you must arrive at your destination on a certain day, by a certain time, you may want to consider planning your flight arrival for the day before you need to be there. Air travel can always be delayed or cancelled due to a myriad of reasons, such as weather or mechanical issues. The airlines will honor your ticket and get you rebooked as soon as possible. However, you may have to wait quite a bit longer for that rebooked seat if you are flying on an airline that only travels to your destination two days per week. 

The bottom line?  Plan for flexibility in air travel. For instance, If you have a cruise booked, don’t rely on an airline to deliver you to the city port just hours before your cruise time. Plan your trip to arrive the day before! Then, if something happens, you still have time to go to Plan B. 

All this said – the good news is that airlines operate on-time most of the time.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

REAL ID – What Is It?

The Department of Homeland Security is requiring that all domestic air travelers have what’s called a REAL ID no later than October 1, 2020, or alternative forms of identification will be required before you board a flight. 

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is offering REAL ID’s and it is a good idea to go ahead and get this new form of a driver’s license as soon as possible. There will certainly be a mad dash to get REAL ID’s as the 2020 deadline draws near.

It’s easy to get the REAL ID. There will be just a few more steps required when you go to the DMV to get a driver’s license. The key difference is that you will need to bring proof of your identity, date of birth, lawful status, social security number, North Carolina address, and if necessary, proof of a name change. 

Document requirements can be found at the North Carolina DOT website at www.ncdot.gov. 

Then you will be issued a REAL ID, which looks just like your current driver’s license with the addition of a star emblem.

Another tip?  You can make an appointment at the DMV, so your wait won’t be very long.  Get that REAL ID today, and it’ll be smooth flying from there.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

One-Way, Multi-Airline and Multi-City Itineraries

Have you been in a position where you need to travel back-to-back to several different cities? Maybe you have a meeting in Chicago and then another meeting in Denver the next day. You're going to want to fly from home to Chicago and then straight to Denver before flying home again.  Instead of purchasing a series of one-way tickets, check out the multi-city itinerary option when you book your trip. Choose this option rather than “round trip” or “one way” when booking. Often, the price is similar to one round-trip ticket (if there is just one additional leg to the journey), and booking is simple.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Air Travel and Identification

 What types of ID are acceptable?

Make sure to purchase your airline ticket under the exact name on your ID.

Adult passengers 18 and over must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.  Some accepted forms of identification include:

Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)

U.S. passport

U.S. passport card

DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

 U.S. military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, and DoD civilians)

Permanent resident card

Remember – international travel requires a valid passport, and could also require a visa.

Do minors need ID? – No (under 18), not when traveling with a companion. 

Learn more at www.tsa.gov

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Do You Need to Rebook?

IS YOUR FLIGHT DELAYED OR CANCELLED? 

DO YOU NEED TO REBOOK?

If you need to rebook – use your cell phone! 

It can be much quicker to rebook your flight using the airline’s customer service number, rather than waiting in line at the gate. 

Or you can use your airline’s mobile app to stay in touch and make changes if needed. Often, you can be rebooked and on your way to the next gate well ahead of passengers standing in line awaiting their turn with the gate agent on duty.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

How's Your Travel Etiquette?

HOW’S YOUR AIR TRAVEL ETIQUETTE?

How you behave during screening and boarding can affect the efficiency of the travel experience for everyone around you. 

Some easy things to remember... Be respectful of others. Understand what you need to do at the screening check-point before you enter the line – such as removal of shoes, belts and jackets, electronic devices, as well as liquids, pastes and gels. Board the plane in the correct zone (indicated on your boarding pass), as the zoned boarding is set up to help the process go as efficiently as possible. Stow luggage near your seat as quickly as possible, and consider checking luggage instead of bringing it on board with you. 

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Why Do I Need to Arrive Two Hours Before My Flight?

Tina often is asked the question, “When should I arrive at the airport?” She says she ALWAYS recommends that passengers arrive two hours before their flight times (domestic flights).  You need to allot time for parking, making your way to the terminal, checking in, checking bags, and going through security. While most of the time, these processes are quick and easy, depending on the number of flights departing at any given time, there could be longer check-in and security lines than you might expect. This is true at any airport, and it is always better to be safe, rather than sorry.  It is the passenger’s responsibility to plan enough time to get to the gate in time for boarding. And remember – every airline has a different cut-off time for you to check-in for your flight, usually ranging from 30-45 minutes before flight time. If you cut it too close, you may find that you have missed your chance to check-in. 

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development