Labor Day weekend travel, whether by air, land or sea, is not for the faint of heart. As millions of Americans gear up for their final summer vacation, the exodus is often plagued by airport congestion, rising fuel costs and unpredictable weather conditions.
Experienced travelers may be accustomed to changing plans at the last minute. But with more people traveling than ever before, the post-pandemic travel landscape has changed. But don’t worry. Wandering warriors. Our experts provide a roadmap for re-planning your vacation so that itinerary changes don’t ruin your well-deserved vacation.
Unpacking Travel Insurance and Flight Cancellation Policy
To prepare for unexpected troubles, it starts with taking out travel insurance. According to global travel trends expert Laura Lindsay, insurance is the most important investment you can make when traveling. But don’t just pick travel insurance. Read the fine print to make sure you’re getting the correct policy.
“It’s important to have travel insurance that fits your needs,” Lindsay told Wealth of Geeks, adding, “Reading the fine print beforehand is very important.”
Not all policies are created equal and laws vary from place to place, so it’s essential to understand the ‘fines’ of airline, hotel and travel insurance policies. Before you leave for your trip, find out how long your trip must be delayed before your insurance applies. Lindsday said most policies will cover a traveler if his flight is delayed by more than 12 hours.
However, insurance may not cover the hotel if the flight is postponed to the next day. Travel insurance often states that the airline is responsible if the flight is delayed until the next day. This means that the airline, not your insurance, will have to cover your trip to and from your hotel and accommodation.
Travelers should also be aware of whether the airline or hotel has insurance for cancellations and delays that are beyond the control of the company. For example, if your trip is interrupted by a natural disaster such as a hurricane, you may not be eligible for a refund.
What if my flight or hotel is overbooked?
When a flight is canceled, it’s only one way that travel plans can go rampant. You may be kicked out of a plane or denied a hotel room. that’s right. Overbooking is more than just an urban legend. Hotels and airlines routinely sell more seats and rooms than they have in stock. This is a business decision to ensure last minute cancellations and no-show losses.
So what happens when you hit it? Again, it depends on company policy and local laws.According to hotel technology providers SiteMinderHotels often “walk” guests to nearby facilities that have available rooms. Hotels may also offer compensation for guest inconveniences.
If a flight is overbooked, the airline will be responsible for rescheduling your flight to a later flight. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, you are entitled to compensation based on the original ticket price and the length of the delay. Most airlines offer ticket buyers double the one-way fare of the original flight, up to $775 for short delays and up to $1,550 for long delays.
Flexible travelers with direct flights to their destinations, especially if they have money in their pockets, often jump at the chance to delay their vacation by a few hours.
How to turn plans around and win last minute travel deals
But if your Labor Day vacation plans get cancelled, or you don’t have backup plans, you don’t have to give up on your weekend getaway.
No destination? no problem. Travel companies are developing innovative ways to help travelers narrow down their choices. For example, Skyscraper released a tool called destination deciderGet an idea for your trip by answering a few simple questions about . Instagram. ‘ can also be executed.Search anywhere with Skyscannerlisting the destinations in descending order from cheapest to most expensive.
However, flexibility is the key to getting the best travel deals. You can find the best deals if you choose to postpone your vacation. “Searching by multiple dates is he one of the best chances to find a bargain,” Lindsey said, noting that demand, including seasonality, now affects airline ticket prices more than anything else. Explain that you are giving
A lingering side effect of the COVID-19 lockdowns is that ticket prices have become less seasonal, making it harder for experts to predict trends. “Consider traveling the day before or the day after your original departure date, as it may be cheaper to travel on a less popular day,” suggests Lindsey.
When all else fails, being a tourist while staying at home is also a great way to enjoy your weekend. Whether you’re literally in your own backyard or walking through your hometown like a visitor, make time to enjoy where you live and work.
This article was written and distributed by Wealth of Geeks.
Nicole Tommasulo is a Buffalo-born writer and editor based in Boston. Typically covering lifestyle in general, her beats range from food to breaking news, travel to mental health and everything in between.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Writing from Savannah College of Art and Design and has previously published books. list, heels down magazine, hello couscousand some websites that are now obsolete but not forgotten, such as xo jane and Femsprain.
Besides working for Wealth of Geeks, Nicole founded and runs a travel and food magazine. savor + wander. Follow Nicole on Instagram (@nicoletommasulo or @savor_roam) for more information.
