What to do when you have issues at the airport?  The books we could all write.  Angel and I do lots of special trips, Honeymoons, Resort Wedding and other special trips.  We have seen over the past few years that airlines are flying at 100% or booking even more to ensure they fly full.  Can you blame them?

Thinking back on my first big trip it was back in 1977, New Orleans to Asheville NC.  It was great, I had both planes almost to myself!  I can't believe how many flight attendants they had but it sure was lots.  Later, I got to travel all over the US and most flights still were not completely full.  It sure was great to fly back then. 

Sorry, back to the topic at hand.  I am stuck in a strange city and have no flight.  What should I do?

Most folks and sites will tell you to print out the airlines contract of carriage.  This could be helpful but I bet you do not want to lug what could be pages of documents around.

I suggest before you leave to sign up for flight alerts from the airline you are flying on.  Angel and I did this 4 years ago and got a text while in a huge line in Cancun that our flight from Miami to New Orleans had been canceled. While still in line Angel found out there was a huge snow storm that had closed most of the east coast.  While she did that I got hold of the Airline and found out it would be 2 days before we could fly from Miami to our home.  Guess what?  We stayed 3 more days in the Cancun area! 

Next, if you did not get it from above have the 800# of your Airline in your cell and an international number if you are leaving the country.  You can with quick knowledge jump ahead of a few people and may be able to get on an earlier flight if events stop you from taking your original flight.

Be NICE.  I get it that it may be the airlines fault(maybe not) but honey will always attract more bees so to speak.  Shouting will get you nowhere.  If you are on a special trip let them know this nicely.  Yes, I know the weather is bad and I am sorry you are dealing with this, we are having a small issues also, it's our Honeymoon.  This can work if you are NICE.

If you booked through a travel agent 9 out of 10 times on your documents you will have an emergency contact number to call while traveling, use it.  We talk to many folks that just sit down for hours and really have no clue what to do next since sometimes you may need an overnight stay in a strange place.  Use that number and make a call.  Call your travel agent.  Those are all phone numbers to have with you. 

Did you purchase trip insurance?  If you did you may be in luck since if you are stuck in an airport through no fault of your own they may also be able to help you.  Call that number.

Did I say do NOT check your bags.  Do NOT check your bags until you are sure what your plan is.  Had Angel and I checked our bags in Cancun we would have gotten stuck in Miami with no clothes.  Sometimes this just can't be helped but if you can not check then wait until the last second.  This is why a carry on works great, if you think you may get stuck because of an alert you received from your airline switch some of your items around so you have a change of clothes in your carry on and not souvenirs.

If you happen to be a member of the airlines club that is a perfect place to get help.  They only allow so many folks in and if the issue is not system wide you may be able to get help in that club.

Again, have those numbers with you and it will make flying a whole lot easier!