Even the most experienced traveler can run into trouble from time to time. But how do you get out of trouble?
When I checked in for a recent flight from Doha, Qatar to Auckland, New Zealand, I needed to think quickly. I had taken care of the visa for New Zealand, but then the ticket agent asked me for proof of onward travel.
Huh? Well, it turns out that New Zealand won’t let you into the country until you show that you won’t overstay your visa.
Unexpected problems pop up all the time when you travel – whether it’s a car rental company running out of vehicles, a lost hotel reservation, a sudden illness or a visa glitch. For example, many American travelers will be caught off guard by the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), a fee for entry into the European Union, when it goes into effect late this year or early next year.
But as it turns out, there are some things you can do to avoid these unexpected travel problems. In a moment, I’ll also tell you how that little paperwork problem with New Zealand ended.
To solve a travel problem, you have to see it coming
I am amazed at how many travelers don’t even bother to verify the basics before leaving. This is one of the oldest rules in the book – so old, perhaps, that people have forgotten it.
“You have to contact each hotel, each tour operator, your airline and your car rental company to verify everything,” said Susan Sheren, who runs Couture Trips.
Here’s how a professional does it: Before the client leaves on a trip, she runs a double-check audit. She checks every reservation, paying special attention to any made through an online travel agency.
“They are full of problems,” she said.
This allows her to fix any problems before her customers leave their homes. This is an easy trick that you can also use.
But this isn’t the only trick for a better trip. Here are a few more:
- Print and read the rules. How can you hold a company to its rules if you don’t know what they are? Your airline has what is called a contract of carriage, a legal agreement between you and the company. You can find it on the airline’s website. Similarly, cruise lines have ticket contracts and car rental companies have contracts. Sarah Blocksidge, director of a marketing agency in Cleveland, always prints out a copy of these rules before she leaves. “I know what I’m entitled to when my flight is cancelled,” she explained.
- Think outside the loyalty program. Often, travelers are prisoners of their loyalty programs. So when they run into a problem like a car rental agency running out of vehicles, they depend on the company for a solution. If that doesn’t work, try Plan B, said Andy Abramson, a Las Vegas-based frequent flier. “I turn to local auto rental car agencies,” he said. “When big-name companies are sold, many companies offer rental rates at competitive rates.” True, you won’t get your points – but you will get a car.
- Never miss another reservation. Travelers have become increasingly dependent on hotels and other companies to track their reservations. That’s a mistake, said Stephanie Webb, who works for a tour company. “I always recommend taking screenshots of your confirmation email and booking details. If a hotel claims they don’t have your reservation, showing a record with dates and confirmation numbers can help resolve the issue faster.” Plus, if they lose your reservation and they’re fully booked, your paperwork will help them resolve the problem and find you alternative accommodations.
- Look for hidden benefits. Let’s say you fall ill on the road and need a doctor. Your travel insurance company can help you find an English-speaking MD when you’re abroad. “If your travel insurance plan includes 24/7 emergency assistance, it is advisable to call the emergency assistance provider,” said Kimberly O’Donovan, vice president of operations for Travelex Insurance Services. Some travel insurance companies – including them – will find a doctor and even make an appointment for you through a smartphone app. This is a nice hidden benefit.
- Ask AI for help. Artificial intelligence is evolving so fast that even I have a hard time keeping up, and I’m a tech enthusiast! Ross Borden, CEO of Matador Networks, which operates a travel AI called GuideGeek, said one-quarter of his audience already uses AI to solve their travel problems. “We’ve seen users asking questions like, ‘My flight is canceled, so I have to spend an extra night in Chicago. Is there anything good to do or see near O’Hare Airport?’ Or ‘arriving late in Dublin due to flight delay. “Where’s a good place to eat at 2 o’clock at night?,” he said. And AI is getting better every day at answering these types of questions and solving problems.
How I solved my unexpected travel problem
If you’re new to this column, here’s how I fit into the picture: I’m on the road 365 days a year. I don’t have a permanent home, and haven’t for many years. And even though I wrote How to Be the World’s Smartest Traveler, it’s only because I made almost every mistake in the book.
So, how did I fix the onward travel problem with New Zealand? I calmly sat on a bench at the airport and asked my son, who is also my traveling companion, where he wanted to go after our two months in New Zealand were over.
“Australia,” he said without hesitation.
Luckily, air tickets from Christchurch to Sydney were cheap at that time. So I booked a ticket on Qantas, showed it to the ticket agent and checked in for my flight.
problem solved.
or was it? The big lesson here is that most unexpected travel problems shouldn’t be unexpected. You should see them coming, whether it’s a visa, a missed reservation, or a car rental company running out of vehicles. Don’t be like me. plan ahead.
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a non-profit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need assistance with a consumer issue, you can contact them here or email them at (email protected).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This simple travel mistake can instantly ruin your trip
Reporting by Christopher Elliott, Special to USA TODAY/USA TODAY
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