What are the contact names and numbers I need to know to report travel problems?

How will I know if my flight is cancelled?

Should I go ahead and change my plane ticket in anticipation of the hurricane?

What if I'm an independent traveler and my flight to Ireland is cancelled?

What if I'm a group flight traveler and my flight to Ireland is cancelled?

What if the group flight to Ireland is cancelled but Advantage Travel didn't book my domestic ticket?

Can IFSA-Butler make the decision to cancel the group flight?

Can I get in contact with Advantage Travel over the weekend?

Can I get in contact with IFSA-Butler over the weekend?

Should I contact my program advisor about travel problems?

Do you recommend trying to leave early to avoid the hurricane?

Will I be penalized for missing part of orientation?

Will my Ireland university penalize me for showing up late?

If I'm an independent traveler, what should I do when I arrive in Dublin?

Will I still have transportation from the airport to orientation when I arrive in Dublin?

What other advice do you have for dealing with the hurricane?

What are the contact names and numbers I need to know to report travel problems?
IFSA-Butler U.S. office: 800-858-0229, Donnetta Spears, dspears@ifsa-butler.org
Advantage Travel: 800-788-1980

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How will I know if my flight is cancelled?
Most airlines will send automatic updates to the email or cell phone that you used when booking your flight. However, we recommend monitoring your airline's website frequently throughout the weekend just to be sure. Don't forget to check both your international airline and the airline for your domestic flight.

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Should I go ahead and change my plane ticket in anticipation of the hurricane?
No, do not change your ticket unless your flight is officially cancelled, or if you miss a flight. Keeping your current ticket "as is" will help you secure a new flight more quickly if necessary.

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What if I'm an independent traveler and my flight to Ireland is cancelled?
Contact your airline as quickly as possible to get rebooked on a new flight. Then, call or email IFSA-Butler to give us your new travel plans. If your domestic airline is different from your international airline, you'll also need to contact your domestic airline to rebook your domestic ticket(s).

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What if I'm a group flight traveler and my flight to Ireland is cancelled?
Advantage Travel will re-protect you on a new flight as early as possible. If you purchased a domestic ticket through Advantage when booking a group flight seat, Advantage will also rebook you on a new domestic flight.

Please understand that it may take several days for Aer Lingus to find space for all the passengers whose flights may be cancelled over the next few days. Therefore, you may not be able to travel to Ireland until later in the week. Please see our other FAQs below for more information about orientation and late arrivals.

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What if the group flight to Ireland is cancelled but Advantage Travel didn't book my domestic ticket?
Contact your domestic airline immediately to explain that your international flight is cancelled. Do not simply fail to show up for your domestic flight, even if the group flight is cancelled, as your domestic airline will consider you a "no show" and may require you to purchase an entirely new ticket.

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Can IFSA-Butler make the decision to cancel the group flight?
No, IFSA-Butler has no control over airline schedules. Only airlines and the FAA can make decisions about flight schedules and cancellations.

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Can I get in contact with Advantage Travel over the weekend?
Yes. Call and leave a message on the Advantage Travel voicemail using the contact number at the top. Advantage staff will be checking messages frequently and will return calls throughout the weekend.

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Can I get in contact with IFSA-Butler over the weekend?
Yes. Leave a voicemail or send an email using the contact information at the top. IFSA-Butler staff will be checking messages frequently and will return calls and emails throughout the weekend.

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Should I contact my program advisor about travel problems?
Please do not call your program advisor's direct line or send an email to your program advisor about travel problems. We ask that students contact us via our general line at 800-858-0229 to ensure that the correct person gets the message.

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Do you recommend trying to leave early to avoid the hurricane?
Traveling to Ireland early simply to avoid the hurricane will probably be counter-productive. If your international flight leaves from the U.S. East Coast, you will run the risk of getting stranded by the hurricane, and even if you miss the hurricane and arrive in Ireland early, you will probably find yourself with several days of down time. Most of our students will likely be delayed by the hurricane, so our Ireland staff will not start orientation until the majority has arrived.

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Will I be penalized for missing part of orientation?
No. We realize that the weather is out of everyone's control and that students cannot help being late because of the hurricane.

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Will my Ireland university penalize me for showing up late?
We are confident that the Ireland universities will be flexible and accommodating to students who are delayed through no fault of their own. We frequently experience these kinds of delays in the winter during snow and ice storms, and in the past our students have been able to register for classes and begin their semester without significant problems.

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If I'm an independent traveler, what should I do when I arrive in Dublin?
Call our Ireland staff when you arrive. They will advise you on where to go and the status of orientation meetings.

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Will I still have transportation from the airport to orientation when I arrive in Dublin?
We will arrange some form of airport transportation for group flight travelers, even if the group ends up being divided among several new flights. Our U.S. staff will advise our Ireland staff of delayed students' new arrival flights, times, etc., so that transportation can be arranged.

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What other advice do you have for dealing with the hurricane?
Be patient, and don't panic over delays and cancellations! Airline travel can be frustrating even in ideal conditions, so being flexible and calm will make this situation much easier for you and your family.

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