Welcome to FT!,
matthewswitaj
Originally Posted by
matthewswitaj
...
My question is this: What happens to my reward tickets if this happens again and there are no award seats? It does not seem fair if my only option is to find award ticket availability. What if Ethiopian Airlines cancels a segment for the return home when I am in South Africa? What are my rights on this and do I have any? ...
As already mentioned, you don't have much protection from the airlines on this.
Dropping a route completely is probably the worst case (and rarer) situation. And more extreme alternatives (change of airports, .....) will need to be considered. Schedule changes including dropping service on some days will need some flexibility.
Note your protection for paid flights isn't really any better but paid rerouting may be easier.
Originally Posted by
matthewswitaj
... Should I purchase really good travel insurance and hope for the best? ....
Yes.
The credit card you used to pay the taxes on the tickets may provide some trip interruption protection.