Before you check in at the airport, check out your rights

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In Call For Action, it is common to receive complaints from frustrated travelers. 

"It was just the ultimate bad experience,” Dave Homrighausen said about a recent trip with his family to Florida. The entire family became stranded at the Dallas airport.

“We didn't have any place to stay," he said. "All the rental cars were gone. We were just really stuck. It was pretty bad."

The recent USA Today article, Airline "contracts" breaks down what passengers should expect , explains how the transportation department has taken steps to help consumers.

If you are stuck on a tarmac for more than two hours, airlines must give you food, water and access to bathrooms.

Advertised airfares must include all taxes and fees.

You can change your reservations without paying a rebooking fee within 24 hours of making it.

If you are facing a delay or flight cancelation, it is a good idea to quickly learn your rights.

USA Today reports if the counter agent says you are not entitled to food vouchers or other compensation due to delays or cancelations, look up the airline's “contract of carriage” on your smartphone or laptop.

If you learn you are entitled to be compensated, speak up and ask for it right away.

Pay attention to what other airlines are doing. If your carrier says you flight is canceled due to weather, check to see if other carriers are still flying to the same place.

If your carrier is booked, request to fly on another airline going to the same destination.

For more information on consumer rights while flying, visit http://tinyurl.com/789sebh .