The holiday plans of thousands of people have been disrupted as bad weather forces the cancellation of large swathes of flights across the country.

Here are some frequently asked questions, and tips, about what to do if it happens to you:

Q: My flight鈥檚 been cancelled. Should I call the airline?

A: No. The airlines are very overwhelmed right now that you鈥檙e unlikely to get through. In fact, WestJet is advising that customers only phone the contact centre to make changes to a confirmed reservation鈥� if your flight鈥檚 been canceled and you鈥檙e looking to reschedule, they won鈥檛 be able to help you.

Q: So, then what should I do? Just sit tight?

A: Basically, yes. If there鈥檚 an alternate flight option available, your airline will email you. But travel demand is so high and so many flights have been cancelled, there may be no available alternate flights.

Q: OK, so I鈥檝e given up on getting home for Christmas. Can I get my money back?

A: Yes. If your flight is cancelled, your airline will email you with refund information. Also, you can decide to proactively cancel your travel plans 鈥� both major Canadian airlines are offering goodwill refund policies that allows you to request a refund or travel voucher if you have travel booked anytime between now and Dec. 26. Information is available on your carrier鈥檚 website.

Q: But what if I鈥檓 already in transit, and encountering delays?

A: If you鈥檙e stranded in an airport waiting for a connecting flight, Canada鈥檚 air passenger bill of rights requires your airline to put you up in a hotel overnight. For this specific situation, as a 鈥済oodwill gesture,鈥� WestJet says it will provide reimbursement for up to three days of accommodation, up to $150 a night, for any guest stranded in a connecting city in Canada.

Q: I got to my destination, but my baggage didn鈥檛. What should I do?

A: You can file a lost and delayed baggage report at your airline鈥檚 baggage service counter, or some airlines also allow you to file a report online. It鈥檚 best not to try to return to the airport to look for your bags 鈥� your airline will deliver them to you once they鈥檙e located.