Your Complete Guide On How To Survive Holiday Travel
The holidays are crazy. But holiday travel is even crazier. Over 107.3 million people traveled during the winter holiday season last year, and this year will be just as busy.
And out of those hundred million traveling this year, things are bound to go wrong for quite a few. If it turns out you’re one of those few, at least you’ll be prepared since you read this article!
Before we jump into the tips, let me give you the golden rule that applies to all of them: Don’t panic! Easier said than done, right? But panicking will only make you think things are worse than they are. And at the end of the day, everything will work out. Trust me.
Delayed Flight
You’re waiting for your flight and, boom, flight delay. Ughhhhh.
Go get some food. It’ll make you be less hangry and that’s a good thing for everyone. LoungeBuddy is an airport lounge booking service that lets you buy one-time access to lounges across the world with no annual commitment and no membership fee. Available exclusively to American Express cardholders, LoungeBuddy could be especially handy if you need an airport escape but don’t travel enough to justify the cost of a higher-end travel credit card or lounge access membership.
Make sure you’re on top of your gate and flight number. It isn’t unusual for gates to switch and flight delays to be fixed quicker than expected. If you’re getting food, shopping, or heading to the bathroom, at least know your gate number so if they announce the change over the speakers, you can be aware and head to your new gate.
Make sure you have basic essentials handy, like deodorant, lip balm, body spray, and a portable charger. It’ll make the longer wait at the airport bearable.
Canceled Flight
Things have gone from bad to worse. Your flight has been canceled!
While you wait in line at your flights help desk, go on your phone to book a new flight or call their help number. Speed matters, so usually booking yourself online or calling will be faster than the line. Stay in line though, because having backup plans are important.
Go onto AirHelp to see if you can claim compensation for the cancellation (they do delays too!). Even if you don’t get anything, it’s always better to check, and this website is super easy to use.
Remember to be kind. People get especially angry when flights are canceled, and it makes sense. But don’t take out your frustration on airport personnel because they’re just trying to help. Also, karma is a bitch, so there’s another reason to be nice!
Lost Luggage
You’ve made it to your destination…but your luggage hasn’t. Uh-oh.
Technology is amazing. If you download your airline’s app, most times they have a “track my luggage” page. There you can enter your bag tag number (the slip of paper they gave you when you checked your bag in) and see where it is. If it’s in Dallas and you’re San Francisco, go to the next step.
File a “Missing” Baggage Report. This is so when your luggage does arrive, the airline will call you to let you know it’s in.
Document each step in resolving the luggage issue. Take the names and contact info of people you talk to and get copies of completed forms and any follow-up correspondence. If anything goes wrong, have the receipts to back it up, hunny.
Your Reservation is Missing
Whether it’s your hotel, car rental or holiday cooking class…your reservation just isn’t showing up.
This is actually a tip for before this happens: make two reservations. If it doesn’t cost you anything, this backup could save your butt, and then you just cancel it when you’re sure you’re okay.
Make sure you didn’t book it under your bae’s name, your parent’s name or BFF’s name. I’ve actually done that a few times and had minor panic attacks before realizing what I did.
If you kept the email confirmation, pull that up. Maybe they typed the name in wrong, didn’t punch the number in right, whatever. But saving that email could really save the day.
cover image via Pixabay