Don't let the snow disrupt your travel plans

What should you do if you're planning to travel by plane, trains or automobile this Christmas?

Heathrow is operating a third of scheduled flights with just one runway open. At Gatwick, planes were grounded until 6am. Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Birmingham, Luton, London City, Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton airports are warning passengers that flights are subject to delays and cancellations.

At St Pancras station, people are queuing for hours while East Coast trains have been suspended out of King’s Cross, causing huge delays. Train companies First Capital Connect, First Hull Trains, Grand Central, the TransPennine Express, the Stansted Express, Heathrow Express, Virgin Trains, South West Trains, Chiltern Railways, Merseyrailand Arriva Trains Wales have warned that train services are all subject to delays and cancellations.

The RAC and the AA have experienced the busiest day in their history. The RAC reported 17,0000 breakdowns in 24 hours while the AA received 3,000 calls every hour, more than twice their usual number.

The chaos may calm down by Christmas Eve - but what if it doesn't?

The obvious - and safest - solution is to stay at home, if you can. But maybe that's not an option for you. If so, then what should you do if you’re planning to travel by plane, trains or automobile this Christmas?

Travelling by plane

Here’s what to do if you are travelling by plane over the holidays:

1. Check your booking

Don’t go to the airport only to be forced to camp out there for days. To find out if your plane is likely to fly, check your booking (using your booking reference) on your airline’s website. You can check British Airways flights here.

2. Watch out for messages from your airline

Keep a close eye on your email Inbox and mobile-phone messages, as your airline may contact you with flight updates via email or text message.

3. Don’t expect a perfect service

You may find that the service on your flight isn’t up to the usual standard, as airlines draft in extra staff and managers to deal with the extra loads of passengers. Alternatively, you may be flown on a replacement aircraft from a different airline. Don’t complain -- just be grateful that your flight hasn’t been cancelled.

4. Choose a different booking

If it helps, customers booked to fly into and out of Heathrow between now and the 24 December on British Airways are allowed to claim a refund or rebook for another date within 355 days (a year minus 10 days) from the original date of your trip. Admittedly, this isn’t much use for holidaymakers or those who are trying to get home for Christmas.

5. Claim a refund

If your airline cancels your flight, then it must provide you with a suitable alternative flight, or give you a full refund within seven days. For more advice, visit the Air Transport Users Council website or read Snow travel chaos: Your rights for compensation.

Travelling by train

Here’s my four-step solution to dodging the worst of the rail problems:

1. Check train timetables

To find out if your train service is affected, check the timetables published on the Network Rail website, or call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.

2. Be prepared to change your plans

If you can, make an emergency alternative travel arrangement. For example, you could try travelling by car, bus or coach, or grab a lift with a friend, colleague or relative. It’s best to have a Plan B if you are determined to get home for Christmas.

3. Claim a refund

The good news is that if your train is cancelled or delayed because of the snow, then you can claim a full or partial refund of your fare. To do so, contact your train operating company or ATOC, the Association of Train Operating Companies, for more advice.

4. Contact your card company

If you have problems getting a refund from your train operator, and have paid for a ticket costing £100+ by credit card , then Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act may apply. This legal right doesn’t apply to debit cards, although some Visa debit cards do offer similar ‘charge back’ cover.

Travelling by car

Obviously, the last thing you need at Christmas is a road-traffic accident which pushes up your premium for car insurance. And could possibly kill you. Travel safely using these tips:

1. Be prepared for an emergency

Keep an emergency kit in your car, including an ice scraper, de-icer, electric torch and batteries, warm blanket, extra clothes, a shovel and first-aid kit. These could make a cold night in your vehicle a lot less perilous! Have the details of your breakdown cover to hand, including a contact number and your policy information. (You do have breakdown cover, don’t you? If not, try AutoAid at only £37 a year.)

2. Remove any snow from your roof

This can fall off when you’re driving and cause a dangerous white-out for other drivers. Believe it or not, you face a £60 fine if you drive with snow on your roof, as well as three points on your license. Check Rule 229 of the Highway Code!

3. Charge your mobile phone

Fully charge your mobile phone before setting off on long-distance trips, and take a car-phone charger with you. In extreme weather, it will be your lifeline to emergency and breakdown services. 

4. Keep your car properly serviced.

Ensure that its battery is fully charged and check all four tyres are in good condition, making sure that they are at the correct pressure, that tread depth is good, and there is no obvious damage to tyre surfaces. Make sure that all front and rear lights are clean and working; replace any faulty or blown bulbs. And fill it up with petrol. That way, if you do get stuck, you can at least keep warm. Make sure that the windscreen, windows and the lights are completely clear and clean before setting off, because you can’t drive safely if you can’t see clearly.

5. Take your time.

If you have a long drive planned over Christmas, then leave plenty of extra time to reach your destination if conditions worsen. Check local weather and traffic conditions before setting off.

Read Wintry weather, crashes and car insurance for more tips.