There are literally thousands of travellers whose holidays are ruinedbecause of problems either getting there or coming back, and whilst they are at their destination.
The good news is there are things to be done that could ensure you get at least a refund, and in some cases compensation.
You will already be aware that companies are not exactly quick to offer compensation when a journey goes wrong, so it pays you to know your rights if your journey is disrupted for any reason at all.
You may not be aware that the Civil Aviation Authority is the place to turn to if the airline you are flying with rejects your complaint, and they do uphold a high percentage of claims.
Let us look first at the really tedious issue of delayed flights.
If you are travelling with a European Union airline, or if you aren't but your flight is departing from an EU airport then you are protected by something called the Denied Boarding Regulation.
What this means to you financially depends on how far you are travelling and the length of the delay.
As an example, if your flight was within Europe is for less than 932 miles and you are delayed by two hours then you are entitled to a couple of free phone calls, meals, refreshments, even accommodation and transfers if you need them.
The same rule applies for long haul flights over 2174 miles, but you would need to be delayed by over four hours.
If the delay is over five hours you can ask for a refund and refuse to travel.
I wish I could tell you that making a claim is simple, but it isn't.
You see if the delay had been caused for example by the riots in Cairo, in other words political instability, or a typhoon in Hong Kong these are extraordinary circumstances then you can't claim compensation.
having said that if other airlines are flying there then you would have claim.
Under normal circumstances the cash you can claim comes under the following limits in 2013.
You can claim from £216 for a flight up to 923 miles that arrives at least three hours late, and around £590 for a flight of over 2175 miles that lands four hours late.
From June 2014 the flight will need to be over five hours late.
Cancelled flights come under the same regulations, and you can claim either a full refund or a new flight.
The Delayed Boarding Regulations are then exactly the same as for a delayed flight, unless the airline offers you a replacement flight.
Then no compensation is due if that replacement flight leaves no more than one hour before and is scheduled to arrive no more than two hours later than the original flight booked.
This time span stretches to two hours before, and four hours after if your flight is cancelled from 7 to 14 days prior to departure.
If your flight is cancelled at least two weeks in advance you can get a refund but no compensation.
Be aware that the extraordinary circumstances mentioned before may well be used as an excuse not to pay.
So what happens if you miss your flight? The Denied Boarding Regulations don't apply here unless you have a confirmed booking and checked in on time.
sadly if you miss your flight because you got stuck in traffic, you will often have to pay for a new one.
Another issue could be a health problem, because there are no laws to protect a passenger who falls ill before a trip.
You need to read the airline's terms and conditions to see if you can claim a refund or ensure your travel insurance policy covers the cost.
The moral to all of this of course is never to travel without an adequate travel insurance policy.