Stranded at the airport? Or has there been a death in the family? We can help.
Take a look at these deceptively simple but powerful tips – tips that can help you through whatever emergency you find yourself in.
Remember: the best way to avoid many problems is through meticulous pre-planning. For example, some of these tips require you to print-out documents and take them with you – this is very good advice.
Flights get cancelled so carry a list of airlines’ phone numbers and website addresses, along with an aiport map – it may be quicker to find alternate flights on your own than rely on an overwhelmed airline rep. Also carry a list of airport-area hotels and rental car companies.
Look at the list below, and print out whatever you might possibly need:
- Click here for a list of airlines and contact information
- Click here for all domestic flight routes
- Click here for a list oftop hotel chains
- Click here for a list of rental car agencies and bus and train info
- Click here for airports, airlines and all flight schedules
Many hotels set aside rooms for walk-up customers – so if you’re stranded and the website says the hotel is filled, call anyway – you may just get a room.
Many airlines (though not all) have dropped their special rates for travelers heading to funerals. But get on the phone, and ask anyway – a rep for one discount carrier said although they no longer offer bereavement fares, “we can usually work something out.”
You don’t have to use these “vacation specials” for leisure travel – simply find one that will take you where you need to go – and simply discard the hotel and rental car if you can’t use them. The airfare portion of these “packages” is usually a very good deal.
Keep your cool no matter how angry you are at the airline – remember, that overwhelmed airline rep didn’t strand you. These are the people who can help you – or maybe even hurt you. So play nice – chances are it will pay off.