In my previous blog: “Preparing For Travel Delays,” I provided tips on how to avoid having to spend the night at the airport because of unexpected delays.
To review the first three tips click here. Otherwise, here are a few more ideas that may save you from pulling out your hair when you hear an airline representative repeat (for the 10th time) that your flight is “experiencing a slight delay.”
Tip #4–Know Your Options and Act Fast
This is a tip I got from watching CBS’ “The Amazing Race” contestants. When the players get to the airport they always make sure they know some of the alternative flights on other airlines. If you don’t have time to research other flights prior to your trip at least try to remember which airline offered the best flight available. This way, while the other 500 people on your flight are standing in line at the ticket counter or are on hold with the airline, you can speed dial another airline and figure out whether they will honor your tickets and can book you onto the next flight. The key is to know a few flights on a couple of airlines within a few hours of your original flight (I look on Expedia.com)—that way you at least have a back up plan should your flight get delayed… or worse–cancelled.
Tip #5—Forgo the Phone
When you are in the midst of a serious delay you can bet there are about 100,000 other passengers dialing your airlines’ 800 number. When you find yourself in that situation your best bet is to whip out your laptop (or high-tail it to one of the airport’s PC centers) and check the airlines’ website. Last month US Airways’ call centers were crippled when tens of thousands of stranded passengers flooded them with requests to rebook their flights. In most cases airlines will distribute information via the Internet. Some even provide alerts, updates, and suggestions on how to proceed during a delay crisis.
Tip #6–Call Your Airline Prior To Leaving For The Airport
Most major carriers will provide automated information on flight delays and cancellations. However, 9 times out of 10 if you call too early the information may be outdated by the time you reach the airport. Unless your flight has been cancelled it is unlikely you will hear an airline employee tell you that you shouldn’t show up at the airport. As soon as they do they’re on the hook for refunds, vouchers, hotel rooms, transfers and a host of other things they don’t want to fork over.
Related Articles:
Traveling With Young Children: Dos and Don’ts
Traveling With Children-Learn From My Mistakes
Flying with Children: Layover or Not?
Tips To Remember When Traveling With Children