IN THEORY: Travel Should Be Seamless

When people book travel, they often make the assumption that all will go as planned.  However, nothing could be further from the truth, especially when it relates to air travel.  Airlines have cut capacity and flights which means fewer flight options and very full planes.  All it takes is one travel glitch – such as bad weather in a certain location – to cause a ripple effect of delays and cancellations across the entire system.

Stranded at Airport (Photo from www.danielafurini.it)

To minimize travel inconvenience both in the air and on the ground, I recommend the following:

1)  If this is a trip of a lifetime, like a honeymoon or an expensive trip, use a travel professional to book and coordinate your air, lodging, ground transportation and tours.  He or she should be a person who not only plans and books your trip but someone who is in your corner, ready to reach out to travel providers on your behalf should something go wrong.  Above all, remember it’s the company and the destination that are most important, not the logistics.  Leave the logistics in the hands of a travel professional.  It’s money well-spent and the peace of mind will be priceless, should travel plans go awry.

2)  Plan at least one full day at the beginning and at the end of the trip to arrive and return.

3)  Select an airline that has multiple options to and from your destination.

4)  Travel all flights on the same airline, if at all possible.  If not possible, select airlines that are partners in the same alliance and allow plenty of time to get from one airline to the next, as they may not be in the same airport terminals.

5)  Don’t prepay lodging, ground transportation or tours, if at all possible, as those expenses are usually nonrefundable and non-changeable, even if there is a travel delay or cancellation that prevents you from arriving on time.

6)  Consider travel insurance, if your trip is a trip of a lifetime, an expensive trip or a trip to a questionable destination with regard to political unrest or medical care.

In theory, travel should be seamless.  In reality, the odds are stacked against having a perfectly executed trip.

Our Travel Messiah, Beth Smith, will introduce you to places you have only dreamed about.  Please follow Beth on facebook and twitter or visit her website or read more of her travel musings on her blog.