Traveling by plane is stressful enough without the added pressure that results from a ticketing mishap. A well-prepared traveler should, however, be able to avoid most situations before they ever arise and deal with problems quickly and hassle-free. In order to ensure that your trip goes smoothly, take some precautions well in advance:
Identification – You will need to present I.D. for ticket pickup and boarding. Even if you are flying domestically, you can’t go wrong with a passport. Renew it ahead of time to ensure that yours is always up-to-date in case an emergency calls you away from home. If you do not wish to get a passport, or it is expired, carry government identification (such as a driver’s license) in a safe place – never packed in your luggage. International travelers, other than select exemptions (such as between the U.S. and Canada, which only require a birth certificate and government photo I.D.) WILL need a passport, so it is always best to prepare one in advance. Passports can be expedited to as little as a week from when the application is submitted, for a fee.
Missed Flights – One of the most common ticketing emergencies is a missed flight, either due to the airline’s fault or your own. Carefully read over the terms and conditions of your ticket to learn how your airline deals with no-shows; you may be able to obtain a refund if you contact them quickly enough.
Missing a connecting flight can be problematic in differing ways. If your luggage is on the departing flight, the plane will often be held when you do not appear. This is a security precaution, so even if you have missed your boarding time, DO NOT PANIC. Proceed immediately to the gate, or if you cannot locate it, the nearest information desk, and have them contact your airline. They may be checking the baggage and still be at the airport. Of course, if you have missed the connecting flight because of a delayed arrival, you should immediately proceed to the gate, where the employees will assist you in getting a seat on a later one.
Oversold Flight – This particular problem arises more often than one would think. Due to any number of reasons – computer glitches, weather delaying flights, cancellations, accidental overbooking and more – occasionally the airline will find a plane has more passengers than seats. Again, don’t panic! You may be compensated, most likely in the form of a voucher for future travel, as well as put on a later flight. If you are flying in order to tend to an emergency, stress to the employee who is re-booking you (try not to become irate; they are only doing their jobs, and are likely nearly as stressed as you) that it is essential you be on the very next available flight and inquire about all details related to the situation to ensure you are being treated adequately. Remember to contact anyone waiting at your destination with the new information.
Lost Luggage – You’re particularly susceptible to this if you had difficulty with a connecting flight – your luggage may have arrived before you, or may still be at your departure airport. Airports have an office you may register with to find your luggage; you will need to fill out some information and describe it to make tracking easier. They will contact you, and likely even deliver it directly to you, when it is found.
The key to successfully riding out traveling emergencies is to stay calm and be prepared. Never pack anything in your checked luggage that you can’t live without for 24 hours, and bring travel-sized toiletries and a change of clothing in your carry-on. Rest assured that the airline staff is there to assist you with any problem that arises.
