When you’re planning a trip, it’s always tempting to focus on the positive elements of what you’re about to experience. After all, who wants to dwell on the potential negatives when you’re planning the vacation of a lifetime or a break from the dull routine of the everyday? As you plan your schedule and do research on fantastic activities to experience, planning for a disaster can all-too-easily take a back seat. Things do go wrong when you’re traveling, and being aware of the potential travel disasters means that you’ll be able to deal with them much easier. If you have a trip on the horizon and you’re starting to get excited, here are the best ways to prepare and overcome even the most frustrating of travel disasters.
Travel light
Lost baggage is always a common nightmare when traveling, but there are some ways to minimize the chances of that happening and reduce the negative impact that losing all of your suitcases will have. The best way to ensure that you don’t lose your luggage (or the airline doesn’t lose your luggage) is to simply pack so lightly that you need nothing more than your carry-on bag. Make sure that your documents are close to hand, a spare change of clothes, and your itinerary. That way, even if you have a suitcase in storage that ends up on the wrong side of the planet, you still have the basics that you need and can start your vacation with minimal amounts of stress. The less that you take, the less you can potentially lose, so pack light and you’ll be able to start relaxing much sooner.
Being stuck at the airport
Unfortunately, being forced to endure hours of unplanned delays while being trapped in the departure lounge is a common disaster. Flight delays or even cancellations can very quickly ruin your trip, which is why it’s a good idea to be prepared, just in case. Make sure that you have plenty of entertainment options with you, and whether that’s a Kindle loaded with books, a laptop full of TV shows and films to while away the hours, or even just a few albums and a good set of headphones, the time will go much faster if you’re preoccupied. Remember to keep your travel documents close to hand in case you have to make a compensation claim for a flight delay or cancellation. The more information that you have, the faster SkyRefund will be able to assess your compensation, so make sure that you have all of your flight details in your carry-on bag.
Hotels from Hell
In the age of TripAdvisor and Yelp, you’d think that booking a hotel and finding it’s as reviewed would be simple, but it’s still very common to arrive at a hotel to find that it’s not quite as advertised. Everyone has a hotel from hell story, and sometimes all of the research that you do can mean nothing if you have been deliberately misled. Sometimes, this is a simple communication error, and having a chat with the staff may make the problem go away by moving you to a better room or upgrading your accommodation package. However, if the staff are unhelpful, remember that the power of social media or a threat to call the local media can go a long way. In the days of digital reviews and viral campaigns, the damage to a business through negative online interactions can be very damaging, and as a consumer, you have a lot of power.
Being prepared for disasters is the best way to ensure that you overcome them. Make your preparations early and never assume that things will go as smoothly as you hope. The more that you prepare, the fewer obstacles will negatively affect your travel, and that will lead to a much more enjoyable trip.
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