The Ultimate Guide To Dealing With Travel Emergencies: Part 2 - The Unexpected

You can’t plan for everything. No matter how much you obey Murphy’s Law something is bound to go wrong eventually if you travel often. What really matters is how you deal with these types of emergencies.

In part two of our guide to dealing with travel emergencies, we’ll be focusing on all the things that can take travelers by surprise. From reservation problems to natural disasters, we’ll show you how to handle them all like a pro.

Cancelled Flight

If your flight has been cancelled or you’ve been bumped against your wishes, the airline is responsible for getting you on the next available flight. Although airlines are not required to provide you with food or hotel arrangements when the cancellation is due to weather, you can often get a little help if you kindly ask the gate agent.

In the case of cancellations, everyone will be swarming the gate agent. Call the airline instead, as there will be more customer service reps available to help you out. They may also put you on a competitor’s flight, even though they don’t have to. If you won’t be rebooked for several hours, politely inquire about hotel arrangements or food vouchers. While they may direct you to the gate agent or front desk, it never hurts to ask someone who isn’t surrounded by a hundred annoyed passengers.

Remember: you do have rights when it comes to cancelled flights. According to the Montreal Convention, air carriers are liable for damages “occasioned by delay.”

Pro Tip: Carry enough extra cash and clothes for 2 days longer than you’re traveling, in case you get stuck somewhere. 

Reservation Problems

It happens to even the most experienced traveler once in a while - reservations get lost. If you haven’t left for your trip yet, be sure to confirm your flights, hotels, ground transportation and other reservations a few days before you travel and arrive with a printed copy of your reservation. Be sure that this copy includes a reservation or confirmation number. This will eliminate problems 99% of the time.

If you’re already on the scene, then be patient and calm. Once they have thoroughly checked their system, (is it under your maiden name or your company name? Did you book it with a different credit card than usual?) ask what they can do to help you out. They may be nice and help you at no charge. However, be ready to pay full fare if there really is no record of your reservation.   Apps like TripIt are great ways to store all of your flight information in your smart phone for free.

Major Disasters

Should you be caught in a location where there is a natural disaster or terrorist attack, your best defense is to have a plan ahead of time. If you’re traveling with others, meet back at your hotel and get in touch with the nearest Embassy.

If the hotel is where the disaster is located, meet directly at the Embassy or the airport so you’re out of harm’s way. While your consulate will handle official evacuation procedures, getting out of danger immediately, with or without their help, is your first priority. Once you’re somewhere safe, you can regroup.

For a natural disaster, you’ll likely be stuck on location, unable to get out of town for a while. Be sure to get on the Embassy list of current travelers and also be in contact with the airlines to see if you can be on the first flights out.

You may also get creative and take a bus to a nearby city or take a cab to a regional airport if that will help. In case of a terror attack, your Embassy is your first priority. Make contact as soon as you can and follow their detailed and expert suggestions. No one wants to be caught in a true disaster like this, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to get somewhere safe, make contact and get out of there as quickly and carefully as possible.

We can also help

None of these scenarios are fun. That’s why, at Fareboom, we help our customers when things go wrong or when plans change.
We assist you in getting a full refund in case of a qualifying medical emergency, help you find the best flight alternative for an airline schedule change or just offer advice whenever an emergency hits and you don’t know where to turn.

If you’ve booked your flight through Fareboom and you have a travel emergency, please call us at 1-626-256-1249. If your problem is not urgent, click here to learn about other ways to contact us.

This is part two in a two-part series about how to deal with travel emergencies.

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