[Jake’s Tips] Flight Interruptions? Don’t Be a Victim…

Flight interruptions and airport closures suck.

Just because you’re flying from Miami to Jamaica for some R & R does not mean your plane will make it there to pick you up.

The Planning phase – follow these steps:

The day before you leave – make a plan (these 15 mins can save your vacation).

• Send a copy of your airline confirmation to your smartphone
• Reconfirm your flights
• Make believe your flight was just cancelled, and do this:
  1. Go online and print alternate flights going to your destination,
  2. Both non-stop and with connections,
  3. List your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice
• Write down all important phone numbers for:
  1. Airline
  2. Transfer Company
  3. Resort
  4. Travel agency
  5. Travel agency after-hours
• Pack light — Can you fit everything in a Rolly and a carry-on? (so you can switch planes on the run and avoid checked baggage issues) You would be stunned at what you can get in a carry-on if you pack right
• Leave early for the airport – in case the flight is overbooked – or you blow a tire

The SHTF Phase – If your flight is cancelled:

Don’t:

• …go stand in the line like they tell you to do
• …try to go online and get info (the party is over, other people have read this advice)
• …get confused » follow the “Do” steps quickly (there are 200 other people who are fighting for that next flight)

Do:

• …get on the phone – with whomever you bought your ticket from
• …speak calmly & smile – screaming won’t help (agents deal with delayed or cancelled flights all the time)
• …be firm – know what you want (they need a good reason not to give it to you)
• …think about your luggage – if you checked bags, head to the baggage area (but, be on the phone at the same time)

SUGGESTION: Check out the TripIt Pro phone app – for just $49 annually, TripIt Pro quickly locates alternate flights (among many other great benefits).

Hope this helps………..
~Jake

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[Jake’s Tips] – Finding Cheap Vacation Flights
1 Bag, 2 Weeks: Living out of a Carry-On