Everyone hopes for beautiful vacation weather but sometimes things don’t go our way. Over the past week, thousands of flights have been canceled nationwide because of a Hurricane Florence hitting the Carolina coastlines. It’s always a good plan to be prepared for days when bad weather threatens to ruin your vacation. Here are simple ways to protect and salvage your trip and keep your sanity — rain or shine.
Do your research
Suffice it to say, understanding your destination’s climate before booking your trip is key to a good travel experience. What are the average temperatures and precipitation levels during your intended travel time frame? And while mother nature has a way to surprise us always stay on top of the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.
Your MOBILE DEVICE
Your mobile device is a travel tool. Use it strategically (and don’t forget to keep the charger in your carry-on). Store your travel information like your passport number and reservation codes, along with phone numbers and web addresses for your airline, hotel, travel agent and an emergency contact.
Sign up for flight status notifications from flightstats.com or from your airline. They’ll send updates to your smartphone in the event of delays or cancellations.
Download a weather app such as Weather.com and the site will send you an e-mail or text if severe weather threatens your destination.
Stay up-to-date on social media. Some Airlines will allow flight changes to be made online and through social media websites such as Twitter. By using Twitter’s direct messenger, flight agents can send a message to passengers when their flight-change request has been processed.
Pack Your Carry-On WISELY
If you are en route, you may end up waiting for hours, or even overnight, for bad weather to clear. Always pack “stuck-in-the-terminal” clothing and amenities in a carry-on bag, including toiletries, medications, reading material, water, snacks, portable charger, change of underwear, a light sweater or jacket and a scarf that could double as a blanket.
Cash
Cash is king. In the aftermath of many hurricanes and snow storms, computer systems, ATMs, and credit card machines go down. Having the cash to pay for things like out-of-pocket costs for food is extremely important.
MAPS
Maps are your friend. Take a minute before your trip to identify local hospitals, embassies, or consulates. Download a map of the area you’re going to for easy reference even when you’re off-line. Some chambers of commerce and tourism boards are happy to mail you guides prior to your trip. Or pick up a free map at the local tourism office the first day of your trip.
REGISTER with embassy
If you’re abroad and you’re a U.S. Citizen* consider registering with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It’s free, and it will let the local embassy know that you’re in the country—and help them keep an eye out for you. In some cases, this can help the consulate assist in your evacuation if needed.
Additionally, STEP allows you to sign up for specific travel and security updates for the places you’re traveling to and will keep you up to date on things like road closures, emergency curfews, and other important information.
Both the State Department and Red Cross have websites or apps that can help keep you informed during a disaster.
*Citizens of other countries may have their own programs too. Please check with your respective consulates for information.
FLIGHTS
If your flight is canceled due to weather events — including tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, fog, and floods, to name a few — airlines have policies in place to accommodate travelers. The first thing you must know is that you will not receive any compensation or sleeping accommodations from the airline for the cancellation since it was what is considered an Act of God outside the carrier’s control. And when weather events happen, there are usually hundreds of flights that are affected, so you’re not alone.
To Know Your Rights, Check Directly with Your Airline, but Here Are Some Overall Policies:
Most airlines have a Contract of Carriage that outlines what passengers’ rights are in case of things including delays and cancellations. Check out this handy list compiled by Airfarewatchdog with links to the contract for major U.S. and international carriers.
- Flexible changes to tickets: airlines will generally waive ticket change fees and allow flights to be rebooked within up to seven days from the originally scheduled date.
- Change your ticket completely: airlines may allow you to apply the full value of your unused ticket toward the purchase of a flight to a different destination.
- Change ticket without penalties: carriers may allow a one-time change without fees if you remain on the same itinerary.
- Refunds and partial refunds: if the weather is really bad and flight schedules are a mess, airlines may offer to refund your unused ticket and sometimes even the unused portion of your ticket if you have begun travel.
Keep Calm and Don’t Yell!
A good attitude can go a long way on days like these while shouting and swearing is not likely to get you on anywhere, any faster. Maintain a friendly, positive attitude. If nothing else, it may keep your spirits up.
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