AT LEAST once a year, we cough out extra money from our kitty to spend on a
holiday to escape from the daily stresses of our lives.
And who can blame you for having high expectations that it will be perfect?
We do our due diligence to pack an extra set of clothes, a windbreaker, a
few phone chargers and adapters, and even some basic medication.
But according to U.S. News, what most people do not prepare for are
calamities.
This is simply because, no one ever imagines that bad things will happen to
them, it said.
Last week, two major earthquakes struck off the Sumatra coast and triggered
tsunami warnings in Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India.
Thailand evacuated areas along the Andaman Sea, including Phuket. Just 30
minutes after Mr Manjit Singh checked into his hotel on the island, he was
greeted by sirens and crowds running on the streets with worried looks on their
faces.
The 35-year-old Singaporean told The New Paper that he had to brace himself
of the flooding and debris.
Luckily for Mr Singh and his friends, the tsunami never came.
So instead of being unprepared, here are seven tips on how to handle woeful
travel dilemmas.
1. If your flight is cancelled...
These days you are better off tweeting about your flight woes than trying to
call through the airline hotline. Most airlines like Qantas and Singapore
Airlines have Twitter channels and use it to post updates on flight delays or
cancellation.
They also have dedicated resources so are are better equipped to
assist customers.
While you may not get immediate compensation (if at all), the
response time is quicker via Twitter and you know that at least your feedback
is heard.
2. If the airline loses your bags...
For starters, always label your baggages. If they get lost because it wasn't
labelled, then you don't get to blame the airline or hotel bellboys.
U.S. News also said that it is probably a good idea to pack a few essentials
on your carry-on pack and check in early. This gives the airline sufficient
time to ensure your luggage reaches cargo hold.
If you are at arrival and find that your bags are not on the carousel, don't
panic as most airlines have sophisticated tracking systems and usually will be
able to locate the missing item(s) within hours of you reporting loss. Also, be
sure to get the right number to follow-up on your missing baggage - the onus is
on you.
The U.S News said that if your luggage is declared permanently lost, you
have up to 30 days (depending on the airline) to file a valid liability claim.
4. If your passport is stolen…
Keep digital copies of your passport identification page. Also, save any
visas on a secure online archive site (like Google Docs) so that you can access
them from any computer to verify your identity.
4. If you get arrested...
Before you travel, you should brush up on the local customs and laws to
avoid cultural misunderstands and having a brush with the law, according to
U.S. News.
If you do get incarcerated, contact your local embassy or consulate
immediately.
5. If there's a medical emergency...
When you travel, it is probably wise to pack some basic painkillers or cold
medication which will help to ease your misery and speed up recovery. Make sure
the prescriptions are in their original bottles so they can be easily
identified.
But what happens if it is more than a sniffle?
Before you leave home, check through your
health insurance coverage to check
if you are covered overseas. If not, it is probably prudent to purchase
short-term cover so have your back while you are overseas, said U.S. News.
If you get injured or terribly sick while overseas, contact your embassy or
consulate. They can help contact your family or personal doctor, recommend the
best local medical care or even help you transfer money so you can pay for
medical expenses, according to U.S. News.
6. If there's a natural disaster...
Unfortunately, this is something no one can really be too prepared for when
travelling. But you can read up on whether the area you are visiting is
disaster-prone.
Leave your travel itinerary and a list of personal information including
your passport number and telephone number with a trusted friend.
When you get to the destination, designate a meeting point with your travel
companions so you can assemble there in case phone communications go out, said
U.S. News.
Once again when disaster strikes, your embassy is your best friend. If you
are out of the city, try to locate the nearest embassy or consulate with
officers that speak your language and they will likely do their best to help
you.
Lastly, stay calm and on top of the news for the lastest updates on the
emergency situation.
7. If there's a state of emergency...
Political unrest tends to be volatile, so check your country's foreign
affairs website for travel advisories.
If you are caught in political situation, a tip is to avoid public
transport, taxis and popular tourist destinations as those are often popular
targets of attack, according to U.S. News.
Check in with your embassy as often as possible so they know your
whereabouts and how to contact you.
You might also want to consider leaving major cities in favor of smaller,
quieter towns.
Lastly, get a
Travel Insurance to protect you from the unforeseen and tide you through all your woes.
