Here's what to do if an airline cancels your flight

Stuck at the airport after your flight has unceremoniously been canceled? Many travelers found themselves in just such a predicament when Delta and other U.S. airlines scratched thousands of flights following an epic computer fail caused by a faulty software update. 

The ensuing outage threw airlines into chaos, leaving passengers scrambling to get to their intended destinations over the busiest travel weekend of the year. Airlines have tried to make amends by offering compensation in the form of vouchers, with extra points or "miles" that are redeemable for travel. 

While that may appease some weary passengers, it pays for travelers to know their rights and have a game plan if their trip falls apart. Here's what to know — and what what to do — if your flight is canceled.