3 Travel Hiccups (& How to Handle Them)
No matter how meticulously you plan a vacation, some things are just out of your control.
Between delayed flights, lost luggage, accommodation problems, and more, messes happen!
But there are some tried and true ways to handle these hiccups (or avoid them completely!) which is exactly why I wrote this post.
So keep reading to learn how to handle lost luggage; delayed or cancelled flights; and accommodations blunders.
Hiccup #1 - Lost Luggage
First things first: before you check your luggage, note its dimensions and take pictures of every bag you plan to check.
If your luggage gets lost, the airline or cruise line will ask for its dimensions, and if you have several suitcases, a photo will help you remember which ones you checked.
Next, keep in mind that short connection times increase the risk of losing bags.
So, when scheduling your connection flight, look to see if there are later flights to your destination; if your bags don’t make it on the plane with you, this might give you an idea when they may catch up.
(This is especially important if you’re embarking on a cruise, and a good reason to plan a pre-stay hotel before a cruise.)
Lastly, consider travel protection when you book your vacation. Most travel protection plans offers coverage for lost luggage and/or reimbursement for clothing, toiletries, and other essentials to get you by until your luggage catches up.
Related: 3 Reasons You Should Book a Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay
Hiccup #2: Delayed or Cancelled Flights
First, when you book your flight, consider the season and geography of both where you take off and where you’ll land.
When practical, schedule flight routes that avoid locations with extreme weather, such as Chicago in the winter.
And remember: short connections increase the risk of missing your connection, so choose flights with adequate connection times.
Lastly, when possible, book direct flights and avoid the last flight of the day, which has the greatest risk of being delayed or cancelled.
Hiccup #3: Poor Accommodations
When it comes to accommodations, research is key! Before you book, look for favorable ratings and guest reviews.
There’s no shame in wanting to save money on your vacation, but the cheapest usually isn’t the best.
And remember: travel professionals (like me!) get the inside scoop on the best resorts and hotels, so trust us to help you.
But sometimes, even with extensive research, a hotel or resort misses the mark. If your shower never gets hot, the AC unit isn’t up to par, or the room isn’t clean–say something to guest services.
Because you can either spend the duration of your trip irritated that your showers are always cold, or you can reach out to hotel personnel who can fix the problem or find another room for you.
To Sum It Up
Travel blunders happen. But there are ways you can avoid them!
Before you check your luggage, note its dimensions and take pictures of every bag you plan to check. If your luggage gets lost, the airline or cruise line will ask for its dimensions, and if you have several suitcases, a photo will help you remember which ones you checked.
When you book your flight, consider the season and geography of both where you take off and where you’ll land. And, when practical, schedule flight routes that avoid locations with extreme weather. Also avoid booking the last flight of the day; these are more likely to get delayed or cancelled.
Do extensive research (or trust a travel professional to do it for you) before you book accommodations. And remember: cheaper is rarely better!
Want to know the best thing about hiring me as your travel planner? My services are completely free!
So leave the research up to me! Click here to fill out my travel quote request form to get the process started.