Travel Hiccups…they happen!

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!)

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.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. 

Hiccup #2 Delayed or Canceled flights 

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 (1 hour or more recommended).Lastly, when possible, book direct flights and avoid the last flight of the day, which has the greatest risk of being delayed or canceled.

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. 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!

And remember: travel professionals (like me!) get the inside scoop on the best resorts and hotels, so trust us to help you.