Quick Fixes for Travel Emergencies

A lot of bad things can happen while you’re traveling, so it’s best that you’re prepared for every scenario. In the event of a travel emergency, you will need to know exactly what to do if you don’t want to let stress overwhelm you. Here are some easy and quick fixes for travel emergencies.

Missing a Flight

People miss flights for various reasons, but there is no need to panic. Instead of wondering what to do next, you should immediately head down to the ticketing desk of your airline and speak to someone. The majority of airlines will simply put you on the next flight with no additional charge if you were at the airport within 2 hours of your flight. It’s worth mentioning that you’ll need to be polite when talking to the person at the ticketing desk.

The airline workers often deal with ill-mannered and stressed out people who miss their flights, so there is no point in yelling or panicking. Simply explain what happened and ask nicely if you could be placed on the next flight.

Getting a Passport Urgently

The best way to get a passport in a hurry is to head down to a regional passport office and apply for it in person. In the United States there are 26 regional passport agency locations, all of which are located in the major cities of the country. Keep in mind that you will need to call the National Passport Information Center and make an appointment before you head down there.

When you arrive at one of the passport agency location, you will need to submit proof that you need a passport quick. Acceptable pieces of proof include an airline reservation, a letter from your employer, a reservation with a travel agency, or documentation of a life-or-death emergency.

Losing Your ID or Passport

Losing an ID or passport is one of the biggest emergencies you can experience on the road. But panicking is the worst thing that you can do in this situation. You have a few options in this situation, depending on whether you’re traveling abroad or domestically. If your ID gets stolen, then you should go to a local police station and report the theft. Keep in mind to file a claim in case you have travel insurance.

If you lose your passport abroad, the process is a bit different. Head down to a consulate or an embassy to fill out some paperwork, pay a fee, and have your picture taken. Know that you’ll usually need to wait a few days before you get a new passport. Nevertheless, this process can be sped up in some cases. One of the best ways to expedite the process is to have a photocopy of your passport.

Losing Luggage

Losing your luggage is one of the worst things that can happen to you. Keep in mind that you’ll probably only have 24 hours to report that the airline has lost your luggage. If you don’t do this in time, the airline most likely won’t make too big of an effort to help you. It’s recommended that you take a photo of your luggage, so that the handlers will know exactly what to look for. You should also give the airline your address, so they can send it to you when they find it.

Make sure to fit all of the important stuff into a carry-on in order to ensure that you don’t lose any valuable items or documents. If you can’t do this, then you will need to search for ways to avoid losing your luggage. Some of the best options include upgrading your luggage tag, using a luggage strap, and shipping your bags instead of checking them.

Losing a Phone

It’s recommended that you download an app that will help you track your smartphone using GPS in case you end up losing it. If you can’t seem to find it, you should immediately suspend service in order to ensure that you don’t receive a huge phone bill.