You planned the trip. You booked the flights, hotel, excursions and transfers. Your bags are packed, your passport is ready and you're finally on your way.
Then something doesn't go according to plan.
Your flight is delayed. Your luggage doesn't arrive. Your excursion is cancelled. Your hotel room isn't what you expected.
Now what?
The good news is that many travel problems can be managed. The important thing is knowing what to do, who to contact and what information you may need before you're standing in the middle of an unfamiliar airport or hotel wondering where to start.
Here are a few situations travellers can find themselves dealing with — and what you should know.
Your first instinct may be to start searching online for another flight.
But before you do, find out exactly what is happening with your original flight.
Check with the airline and look at your booking details. Depending on the circumstances, the airline may have rebooking options available.
If your trip involves a connection, things can become more complicated. A delay on the first flight could affect the rest of your itinerary.
The lesson: Don't make a new booking before you understand what the airline is doing with your existing reservation.
You arrive at your destination, watch the luggage carousel go around… and your suitcase never appears.
Don't simply leave the airport.
Report the missing bag to the airline or baggage service desk before you leave and keep the documentation they provide. You'll want those details if you need to follow up later or make a claim.
And this is one reason it's wise to keep important items — medications, travel documents, valuables and anything you absolutely need for the first day or two — in your carry-on.
The lesson: A little planning before you leave home can make a missing suitcase much less disruptive.
You finally arrive at your hotel and discover that the room isn't what you thought you booked.
Before assuming that nothing can be done, go back to your booking confirmation and check exactly what was reserved.
Then speak with the hotel.
Having your confirmation available can make the conversation much easier because you can clearly show what you booked.
If your accommodation was booked as part of a package or through a travel advisor, there may also be another party who can help you navigate the situation.
The lesson: Your confirmation isn't just something you look at before your trip. Keep it accessible while you're travelling.
You booked the excursion you've been looking forward to for months — and then the weather changes or the operator cancels it.
Frustrating? Absolutely.
But this is where understanding who you booked with becomes important.
Don't automatically assume that a cancellation means you should start looking for another tour and pay again. Find out whether the original operator is offering a refund, rescheduling the experience or another option.
Keep your booking information and receipts.
The lesson: Know the terms of the experience you've purchased and who is responsible for the booking.
You've landed, collected your luggage and walked outside — but the transfer company isn't there.
Before jumping into the first available taxi, take a moment.
Check your transfer confirmation. Look for the company's contact information and instructions for meeting your driver.
Sometimes the meeting point isn't exactly where you expect it to be.
The lesson: Download or print your transfer details before leaving home, especially if you're arriving somewhere where you may not have reliable internet access.
This is one situation where timing can make a big difference.
If you've missed a connection because your first flight was delayed, speak with the airline as soon as possible.
If you have a separately booked onward flight, the situation can be different than if both flights are part of the same itinerary.
This is one reason I always encourage travellers to understand how their flights are ticketed, rather than looking only at the departure and arrival times.
The lesson: Two flights that look like a connection on your itinerary aren't necessarily treated the same way by the airlines.
Nobody wants to think about getting sick on vacation.
But it happens.
This is where having appropriate travel insurance and knowing how to access assistance can become extremely important.
Before you travel, know what your policy covers, how to contact the insurer and what documentation you may need.
And if you take prescription medication, make sure you've planned ahead for your trip rather than assuming you'll be able to replace it easily at your destination.
The lesson: Travel insurance isn't just about cancelled trips. Understanding your coverage before you leave matters.
This is probably the most important question.
The answer depends on what has gone wrong.
Airline problem? Start with the airline.
Hotel problem? Start with the hotel.
Excursion problem? Contact the tour or excursion provider.
Insurance-related issue? Contact your insurer.
A booking made through a travel advisor? Your advisor may be able to help you understand the booking, communicate with the supplier or point you in the right direction.
A travel advisor isn't a replacement for the airline, hotel, tour operator or insurance company.
But having someone who understands how your trip was booked and who the suppliers are can be helpful when you're trying to figure out what happens next.
You don't need to expect your vacation to go wrong.
You just need to be prepared in case something doesn't go exactly as planned.
Before you leave, make sure you have access to:
Because when something unexpected happens, the goal isn't to panic.
It's to know what happened, who can help and what your next step should be.
And that's something worth knowing before you leave home.
Charlene Joseph-Dunbar
Sign up for our newsletter to learn about the latest product news and deals. Also receive exclusive offers, contest details and giveaways.