Of all the problems that frugal travelers face around the world, one of the most daunting – and arguably unpredictable – is the threat of airline strikes. Sometimes, with little warning, unionized airline employees can walk off the job, resulting in flight delays and cancellations, leading to frustrations for the end traveler.
Air travel strikes can come in multiple shapes and forms. In Europe, airline employees, including pilots and flight attendants, can walk off the job in protest of wages or support. However, this is not the only form of protest a traveler may experience. In Spain, travelers were stuck without trash service for five days, resulting in pileups of garbage around the airport.
Regardless of how a strike affects travelers, the end result can create chaos and confusion at the end of the day. Should a travel strike affect your next adventure, there is no need to panic. Instead, take a deep breath and work through this list slowly and surely.
Get Rebooked (Before the Strike If Possible)
In certain situations, airlines and their employees will announce strikes before they happen. In these situations, travelers may be given the option to rebook their travel before a strike takes place. When this is the case, frugal travelers should take advantage of the opportunity, while adjusting the remainder of their travels at the same time. When changed early, some reservations – including hotel reservations – can be changed without penalty.
What happens when a strike happens unannounced after the travels begin? Under international laws, airlines have an obligation to their travelers to get to their final destination on a purchased ticket. Therefore, even if there is nobody available at the ticket counter to help, travelers can reach out online, over the phone, or (in certain situations) through social media to get rebooked.
Get Travel Insurance Now
As we have discussed many times, many travelers already have travel insurance without even realizing it. Through the travel insurance built in through their favorite credit cards (like the perennial favorite, the Chase Sapphire Preferred), travelers can receive reimbursement for incidental costs related to a trip delay, or even receive assistance in getting rebooked when a travel strike grounds travelers.
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In most situations, travel insurance may come into play as soon as the strike begins. When travelers have a valid insurance plan and their strike fulfills the requirements of the benefits, their plan can cover many costs a traveler may incur due to the stoppage of flights. This may include (but is not limited to) meals, hotel rooms, or any rebooking costs incurred.
Although this may sound good and well, there are two concerns to take into mind when relying on travel insurance. First, travel insurance may only be valid when travelers contact their insurance company first. Those travelers who move on without asking their insurance company for assistance may be forced to pay out of pocket for everything.
Second, travel insurance may only be valid if a traveler purchases their trip (along with their plan) prior to the strike being announced. Once a strike is announced, the insurance plan may not cover the situations that arise, because travelers will have plenty of time to adjust their plans – or not book their trip to begin with.
Understand Your Reimbursment Options
With flights rebooked and hotels booked, travelers may have all they need to survive a carrier strike. However, there is only one situation left to sort out: getting reimbursed for all the incidental costs. The good news is that, depending on where frugal travelers go, there are reimbursement options.
Travelers flying to or from the EU, or aboard a EU-based carrier, are granted certain rights under European law. When a flight is cancelled due to a strike, the airlines are not required to reimburse travelers for the flight delay, but are required to provide reimbursement for transfers, meals and hotels. However, when that may take place is at the discretion of the airline.
Travelers who are flying domestically or have a travel insurance plan may have an easier route to reimbursement. When the conditions of the plan benefits are satisfied, travelers may be able to receive compensation at the conclusion of their trip by filing a claim.
In either occasion, travelers should be prepared to keep every receipt and document what the costs were for. By keeping organized, every traveler can ensure an easier path to reimbursement.
While travel strikes can happen anywhere and at any time, preparation is the best way to ensure it does not affect your adventures. Through organization and knowing your rights, every traveler can make the most of their trips – even when it crosses the picket line.
How do you prepare to deal with the potential of travel strikes? Let me know your ideas in the comments below!
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com