Dealing with Travel Setbacks

Travel problems can be frustrating, but with the right approach, you can handle them smoothly. Being prepared ahead of time, staying calm, and knowing where to find help will better equip you to deal with travel setbacks.

My husband and I recently experienced a stretch of trips with outbound flight cancellations on three consecutive trips, all of which resulted in overnight delays. By the time we got to our third, I felt like I had everything down to a system.

I’d like to say that I hope you never have to deal with a travel problem or setback, but the truth is they come with the territory. 

Handling unforeseen events starts before you leave home

There are things you can do ahead of time to set yourself up for success (or at least prevent total disaster) if problems arise as you travel.

• Pack a small emergency kit in your carry-on with essentials like medication and a change of clothes. This can be a lifesaver if your checked luggage is delayed or lost.
• Keep copies of your travel documents and travel insurance in a secure cloud storage.
• Pay for travel expenses with a credit card that offers trip delay insurance, and keep all of your receipts together to make filing a claim easy if needed.
• Create a flexible itinerary that allows for some unexpected changes.
• Have backup plans for accommodation and transportation in case of cancellations.
• Consider travel insurance to cover potential financial losses from trip interruptions or medical emergencies.
• Keep an eye on your destination’s current events and weather forecasts.
• Make sure you’re getting notifications from your airline so you can easily get any updates on your flight status changes.

Keep track of everything you need to do to prepare for your trip with this free checklist.

Staying calm during travel hiccups

Remember that most travel issues are temporary and solvable. 

Take a beat. Sometimes we feel like we have to make a major decision about our trip immediately, when in reality, we may not have to. If you can give yourself the time to relax a bit, you’ll be able to think more clearly about what you really want to do rather than just picking something and regretting it later.

Even though at the time it can feel like a catastrophe, taking a few deep breaths can help you think more clearly as you make decisions. I like to try to treat setbacks as part of the adventure. Many travelers find that unexpected detours lead to their favorite memories. I don’t know that I can yet say the same, but I’m trying to have a good attitude.

Eat and hydrate. It can be hard to make decisions when you’re running on fumes.

Sometimes the travel problem is a minor delay of just a few hours. In those cases, you can relieve stress and boredom by getting lost in a good book, movie, or podcast. There are a lot of ways to pass the time at the airport.

Activating your backup plans

In the event that your trip is delayed by a canceled flight, you’ll need to turn your attention to your itinerary and put those backup plans into effect.

• If you’re not automatically rebooked on the next available flight, make sure to take care of that right away.
• Check with your hotel to let them know when you’ll be arriving. Some hotels will consider you a no-show if you arrive after 12 a.m. the day after your check-in date. Other hotels have different policies. It’s safest to call.
• If you’re stranded overnight, find a safe hotel near the airport with free shuttle service so you can easily get there and back to the airport for your next flight.
• If you include your arrival flight when you make your rental car reservation, the company will be aware of your delay. Many major rental car companies will honor your reservation up to 24 hours after your scheduled pickup time. If you are stuck overnight and will be picking up your car the next day, I think it’s safer just to call.
• If you have any pre-booked activities that can be rescheduled or rebooked, leave that until your other plans have been finalized.

The bottom line

Although travel delays and setbacks can be stressful, you can mitigate the negative impacts on your trip if you plan for the possibility that they may happen. When problems arise, take a deep breath, take care of yourself, and then put your backup plans into action.