Sometimes, you gotta make lemonade outta those lemons

I've had quite a few clients experience some various issues while on their vacation. I wanted to give some tips on how to deal with some of these situations.

1st, always remain calm (or as calm as you can be depending on your situation)

Remember that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar - IE, be nice to whomever you are dealing with and they are more likely to help you or give you what you want.

One common situation with all the airlines is cancelled or delayed flights. This is a really stinky situation to be in, I've been there myself more than once. What to do? If you get to the airport and find out your flight is cancelled or delayed, talk to the person at the ticket counter. Some airlines are outsourcing the airport personnel and they aren't as helpful. The people at the airport should not ask you to call the airline (you are standing right there after all!), they are the ones who should take care of getting you on another flight. If they don't (or won't) then ask for a supervisor or manager. If you still aren't getting any help, then you may be forced to call the airline. Try to be as calm and nice as you can to whomever you are speaking with and have them give you your options.

If you're at the gate and your flight is delayed, which may make you miss your next flight, go to the gate agent and see if they can get you booked on something else, or put you on a different airline. If there is a long line, you might go ahead and call the airline from your cell while you're waiting to see who you reach 1st. Sometimes calling is quicker than waiting in line when there are a lot of people waiting for that flight.

If you are traveling on a vacation package (with Funjet, Travel Impressions, Worry-Free Vacations, ect) they have 24 hour service to help their clients during travel. Be sure to print out any travel documents you get from me and read thru them to get familiar with where this information is located in case you need it.

If you have a flight delay or cancellation, there is a chance you may not get to your destination the day you wanted to. Try to make the best of the situation and don't let it ruin your trip. this is where you gotta try to chill out and make that lemonade!

Another problem that happens on occasion is you get to the hotel, and they don't have a room for you. This doesn't happen real often, but it does happen. Hotels can overbook at times - so, what do you do? Generally, most resorts (in places like Mexico, Jamaica, ect) will put you up at a resort that is equivalent or better than the one you're booked at. All of the vacation package companies have people located at the destinations to help you in situations like this. If you're not happy with what your hotel is suggesting, ask for a manager. If they still aren't making you happy and you're booked with a vacation package company, call the people at your destination (this is also a number that will be located on your travel documents) They are there to help you, so just ask.

What if you get to the hotel, and they have rooms, but don't show you have a reservation? This doesn't happen often either, but it's usually just human error and is easily fixed. If you're booked with a vacation package, the same people mentioned above will be able to assist you. I've had clients who have had this happen, and it was fixed with a simple phone call and a fax to the hotel. Usually, what has happened is the information was entered wrong when the information was received from the vacation package company or the fax that was sent wasn't received.

Hope this helps you and I hope you never need my tips! If you do, try to make the best of the situation and don't let it ruin what will hopefully be a wonderful vacation!