Who doesn’t love to go on vacations? Going on vacations should be an enjoyable experience for anyone. That’s until they encounter travel inconveniences. While trips are generally associated with fun and relaxation, sometimes things don’t go as planned and you find yourself in stressful situations. Among the things that can happen are losing your luggage or needing emergency medical attention following an illness or injury.
With foresight and planning, you can mitigate the impact of travel inconveniences if they do happen. The following are some of the common hassles you may encounter during a trip.
- Flight delay or cancellation
For delayed flights, closely monitor updates from your airline on the new flight schedule. If it’s going to be a long wait, inquire with them about possible compensation or courtesy such as a free meal or accommodation. However, these are usually only provided if the airline is at fault and the delay is not caused by acts of nature.
For canceled flights, your airline should present options such as free rebooking or credits to a travel fund for future flights. If you have an important event to catch and need to fly as soon as possible, research alternative routes. There might be an available flight to a location nearest your original destination.
If the delay or cancellation would impact your connecting flight, tell your airline right away. They should be able to prioritize coming up with a solution for you.
When using a particular airline or booking agent for the first time, research their policies on delayed or canceled flights due to natural or technical causes. It’s good to know these when you are calm and not panicking after the fact. - Baggage loss or damage
Immediately report busted luggage while you’re at the airport. Note that the airline may only be held liable for damages to external parts of the checked-in luggage (e.g., broken handle, remarkable dent on the hardshell). You will then be asked to file a claim. Ask for the hotline or direct number you can call in case you need to follow up.
If your luggage is missing, coordinate with the airline personnel right away to begin the search for it. It would help to have a picture of your luggage for easier identification. Chances are it ended up in another carousel or another passenger had picked it up by mistake.
Worst case scenarios: The baggage somehow got mixed up in another flight – more likely to happen during connecting flights because of the transfers – or ultimately lost.
If the baggage has been missing for at least 24 hours, you should be eligible to file a claim. You can be reimbursed for essential purchases to replace the ones in your luggage (Tip: Make it a habit to take a picture not only of your luggage’s exterior but its contents as well). Remember to keep receipts of these incidental purchases.
Inquire with your airline about how many days of unsuccessful search must pass before they declare missing luggage as lost. Wait for instructions on what you need to do next to get compensated for your luggage if it was indeed lost. - Medical emergencies
Whether it’s due to an underlying illness or accident, a medical emergency while you’re in a foreign land could be one of the most nerve-racking situations to be in. This is the kind of travel inconvenience that you’d definitely wish you prepared for because the financial consequences, in particular, can be devastating.
Request assistance from the hotel staff if you’re checked in. If you’re out, find the nearest police station or train station with a help desk. Usually, the locals would be proactive in offering help if they notice your distress.
If you or your travel companion is managing a condition, get in touch with your doctor back home for their recommended action. Also, contact your insurance provider as soon as possible and they should be able to respond immediately. It is vital to make sure that your insurance company offers medical assistance anytime and anywhere you are in the world.
AXA Global Health Access provides best-in-class health coverage worldwide. This includes international emergency medical assistance with 24/7 concierge services to process requests such as flight and travel arrangements for your treatments. It also provides evacuation and repatriation services if needed. - Packing preparedness for your trip
You have the option to be ready for these inconveniences every time you take a trip. AXA Smart Traveller offers comprehensive protection and peace of mind as they provide round-the-clock travel and medical assistance for a single trip, at an affordable price.
For example, basic coverage for a five-day trip to Japan is only about Php 800 per person and you already get protection in case of lost or damaged luggage, a canceled flight due to emergency, and medical expenses in case you suffer an injury or illness during your domestic or international trip.
Know you can game plan your health and safety as you experience the world. Contact an AXA financial advisor today to know more.
