Are you buying an airline ticket soon?

Today I want to talk about air travel, I actually do not sell air only, however many of my clients need air for their cruise or other types of travel, so I purchase air for my clients and myself.  

Recently we heard about our local airline leaving clients at their international destination because they no longer flew that route, my opinion-not cool!  And domestic flight delays, overnights at the airport, the list goes on.  I do want to share an experience my daughter just had over the weekend, and it might make you read the fine print, and think twice about which airline you want to spend your money on.

This is a learning experience, not a great one for my daughter.  I won't give every detail but this is how it went, she left MSP on her way to New York City, flying into LaGuardia Airport, now that is a easy flight not like she was flying to a city in the middle of no where, most airlines fly this route many times a day.

But then the weather became an issue, so they ended up landing in Pittsburgh, then all the flights to LaGuardia Airport were cancelled, leaving my daughter to overnight in Pittsburgh!  Now at first they said because of the weather no hotel or food vouchers would be given, but then it came out the flight crew could no longer fly so she received $79 for hotel and $12 for food, good deal if you had unlimited time to get to your destination and wanted to spend your friday night in a cheap airport hotel in Pittsburgh.

So let's look at this first part (yes I said first part)!  Did you realize if your flight was cancelled or delayed due to weather the airline is not responsible? Well yes I know it but I actually never think about it when booking my ticket.  

Now she was scheduled to return to MSP on tuesday, so back to the airport, and on the plane, wait no we are back in the airport because the flight was cancelled.  She had sent me a text while on the plane so I found another flight with the same airline, yep go figure that was cancelled also.

So back to her friends apartment but lets look at this she paid an Uber to get to the airport, then back to friends place.  And back to the airport the next day! Yes another Uber.

Now we are back at the airport Wednesday morning, she arrived early to find out her flight was once again cancelled, really!!!  But they were able to get her on a flight to Dallas, and back in MSP that afternoon!

What a weekend!  So I want to share a few thoughts that might make your next flight enjoyable and not the nightmare she experienced!

First, this is huge, no matter where you are flying you might want to consider travel insurance, I usually add it to my flights.  But I will be honest when I add it I am thinking incase I have to cancel not what happens if we have bad weather!  That way if you have a weather delay you can save your receipts and submit a claim.

Next, look at your airline schedule do they fly to your destination several times a day, every day? Let's say you select an airline that has one flight a day to your destination and not every day!  That great price might not be worth it. 

I just wanted to share this so hopefully you will be picky when selecting your next airline.  Remember to prepare for your flight and be prepared when you fly for a unexpected delay.  Make sure you have all medicine in carry on, phone chargers, snacks.  Sometimes travel can be stressful but plan ahead for a stress free vacation!

I plan to sit down with my daughter and we will write a letter to the airline because I have never heard of so many issues with an airline.  I will keep you posted, hopefully they will at least acknowledge they made a few mistakes.

Have a great day!


Cindy
cindy@vacationsrspecialtravel.com
763-878-2763