Travel help
Practical help, calmly explained.
Check-in, bags, delays and cancellations, and exactly who to contact when plans change. Official links only, with the rules from DOT, FAA and TSA cited on every page.
At the airport
- How airport check-in works: online, kiosk and bag dropCheck-in just tells the airline you're coming and gets you a boarding pass. You can do it online, at a kiosk or at the counter, and if...
- Baggage claim tips: finding your bag calmlyAfter you land, follow the signs for baggage claim and look for your flight number on the screens; that tells you which carousel to wait...
- Airport guides: official terminal maps and calm tipsBig airports feel less overwhelming once you've seen the layout. Here are the official terminal maps for major US airports and...
When plans change
- Lost or delayed luggage: what to do, and who to contactA missing bag is usually a delayed bag, and most are found and delivered. File a report with the airline before you leave the airport,...
- My flight is delayed. What now?Delays are frustrating, but most are about weather, traffic or making sure an airplane is ready, which is the system being careful....
- My flight was cancelled: the refund rule and your optionsA cancellation is stressful, but you have clear choices. You can take the airline's rebooking, or, if you'd rather not travel, US rules...
- I missed my flight. What happens next?Missing a flight happens to plenty of people, and airlines deal with it every day. The most useful thing you can do is contact the...
Who to contact
- Airline contact directory: official help pagesThe fastest, safest way to reach an airline is through its own website or app. Here are the official help pages for major US and...
- Traveling abroad: US government helpIf you're a US citizen traveling abroad, the State Department can help before you go and if something goes wrong. Here are the official...
- Hotel and rental car help: official customer service pagesWhen a flight changes, your hotel or rental car often needs to change too. Here are the official help pages for major hotel chains and...
If you need support right now
Call or text 988 (US), or text HOME to 741741. Both are free and available 24/7. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number.
More support optionsAlso useful: airport pages with live weather, the live weather radar, guided breathing and the offline in-flight pack. We link only to official airline, airport and government pages, and check them regularly.