Travel Tips from a savvy stranded Traveler

Happy New Year everyone!!

My New Year's Eve travel delay was made a little better with freshly steamed Maine Lobster and Legal Seafood Clam Chowder for dinner with family!

I hope that everyone had an excellent time celebrating the dawn of 2011.  I had the unexpected pleasure of spending it with family which was really nice, however it was the result of a travel delay returning from the Boston area (did you hear about the day-after-Christmas Blizzard?! Well, my delay was mechanical but further complicated by the week of excessive cancellations and delays).  My personal experience wasn’t too bad, I was able to go back to my mother’s home and start over the next day which so many were not able to do. I’m a pretty savvy traveler and requested to be rebooked the next day after spending 5 1/2 hours waiting to find out if the plane would ever take off … and knowing that there was little to no chance I would catch my connecting flight in San Juan to St Croix… did you know you can do that?!  So, it inspired me to blog about my experience and  offer some tips from a seasoned traveler and destination wedding planner.

I seem to have had “challenging” luck when travelling over the past year and a half.  Over the past 4 times I have travelled home from Boston to St Croix, I’ve been over-nighted somewhere 3 times.  And once the year before that.  Thankfully, this isn’t as prevalent as it sounds, I just seem to be “lucky” (hey universe, I’d prefer the lottery kind of luck, thank you).  The first time in 2009 was a mechanical or scheduling issue in San Juan (the airline covered hotel and food); the second was Dec 29, 2009 when the entire San Juan airport was shut down due to volcanic ash from Montserrat (a nearby volcanic island); the third was in April, major storms that caused tornadoes and severe damage were passing through the Miami airspace as we were supposed to land… we were diverted and the delays caused me to miss my connection; Dec 31, 2010 our plane had mechanical issues. 

Because of my extensive experience with delays, frequency of travel and being affiliated with the travel industry I have a few very important tips to pass along: 

1. Insurance, Insurance – use it!  I fly American Airlines whenever I can www.aa.com (I like to stick with one airline and rack up the mileage).  When booking a ticket online, it always asks me before finalizing my purchase if I want to add the optional insurance.  I didn’t used to purchase, though its typically only about $30, I do now after having been out hundreds of dollars on hotel rooms.  If your trip is delayed or cancelled due to weather – you are responsible for any expenses or losses NOT the airline.  Think about it, they would go out of business in a day… they can’t control the weather and have a vested interest in keeping us safe.  So, every time you travel, you are taking a gamble that the weather all along your flight path will be good for flying.  By adding the optional insurance, if you have a weather delay and need to overnight somewhere, you may be out of pocket that night, but insurance will reimburse you up to a certain amount.  (read the fine print before purchasing; Know what’s covered and what’s not; Make your own informed decision).  Some credit cards that you use may also have built-in travel insurance, so check that out as well.  I have an AAdvantage Card that has some perks for me when I use it to book airfare. 
2. If booking an expensive vacation, destination wedding or cruise… check out cruise insurance or wedding insurance (I recommend www.wedsafe.com ) and travel to the destination at least 1 day ahead of time.  Sadly on the past two of my delays, I was among many passengers travelling to catch a cruise that day.  They didn’t make it.  At that point they had two choices,  rebook to the ship’s next port of call and get on board there or head home.  Those that didn’t have insurance were simply out of luck and out of money, a lot of money.  Don’t take that chance!  If you are travelling for a destination wedding be very mindful of Marriage License requirements.  On St Croix, you MUST be sworn in at the Superior Court prior to your wedding to make it legal.  They are only open M-F and are closed on MANY holidays.  This is one of the critical reasons to hire a wedding planner – be sure you are able to be sworn in and make it legal.  Consult with your wedding planner PRIOR to booking air and arrive a day or two ahead of time, particularly in the winter months when travel is more likely to be delayed.
3. Be informed! Know your rights!  When I have been delayed, each time I IMMEDIATELY went up to the flight desk and inquired about a new routing to get me to my destination.  On my most recent delay, our flight was repeatedly delayed.  After the second delay, I calculated our arrival time in San Juan (I have the AA app on my iPhone which is really useful when traveling) and realized that there was little to no chance of me making my connection.  It was New Year’s Eve and I knew my choices were being over-nighted alone in San Juan or going home to my family’s house and starting over the next day.  I opted for the latter even though I did have trip insurance that would reimburse my hotel room. (and it was a mechanical issue, so the airline was also responsible for hotel).  I went up to the flight desk and requested to be rebooked the next day.  I was polite and patient (unlike many fellow travelers who were understandably frustrated) and was even given a complementary upgrade to business class.
4. Carry on essentials and overnight items! If you are travelling for a destination wedding, always pack any wedding essentials (shoes, under garments, bride and groom wedding attire, jewelry) in your carry-on and carry on your dress. When boarding, ask the flight attendants to hang your dress in the first-class cabin (they are always happy to oblige).  And be sure to pack pajamas, a swim suit (if headed to a warm destination) and a change of clothes.  That way if you are over-nighted, you are prepared.  Additionally, its not unusual during times of heavy air travel for your baggage to arrive later to your destination than you.  By having the essentials and at least a days worth of backup, you can avoid undue stress and roll with it if your things are delayed.
5. Remember the 3-1-1 Rule http://www.tsa.gov/311/  Each passenger may carry-on liquids (this includes lip gloss and mascara ladies!) of 3oz or less, packed in a transparent 1-quart zip lock or similar see-thru cosmetic bag, 1 per passenger.  Additionally, when you hit the security screening line, take out your transparent bag and put it in a bin on top of your things.  (take off your jacket and your shoes, take out any laptops in advance as well – this will speed you through the line).  I have a bag that I keep in my carry-on that is pre-loaded with sample sizes of things I need that I collect throughout the year (free gift with purchase samples are perfect for this).  That way when I travel I am ready to go and travel efficiently.  Remember that if you carry-on larger bottles (like full-sized shampoo) they WILL take it away from you.
6. Be prepared, Be Informed and Be Patient!  You will reduce your own travel stress level if you have thought ahead, packed smartly and have all of your travel and insurance info in-hand.  Be sure to know your rights as a traveler and your responsibilities.  (You are responsible for asking for “stranded traveler hotel rates”, calling the airline or going to the flight desk to request a rerouting, etc)  Speak up if you are delayed and if you feel the flight desk isn’t helping you, call the airlines 800# for assistance (you can do that to begin with too).  Be patient with flight attendants and flight desk personnel.  They are often dealing with numerous agitated and frustrated travelers who take their frustration and confusion out on them.  The weather and mechanical issues are not their fault.  And though they are in customer service and are supposed to deal with these issues, they are human too.  A kind word and some understanding can go a long way to getting you to your destination.  Be kind, be gracious and you can be assured they will do the best they can do for you.