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Our Best Tips For Navigating The Chaotic World Of Travel On Your Way To The Mexican Caribbean
It’s no secret that the travel industry is in a difficult phase at the moment. Airlines, hotels, and other travel providers weren’t fully prepared for the soaring demand for tourism prompted by the reopening of borders.
Of course, Mexico and Quintana Roo were never closed to tourists, but the chaos engulfing travel at the moment impacts the popular region as much as anywhere else. Tourists have to be prepared for anything, and heading to the airport with no prior planning could spell disaster.
Delays, cancellations, missing luggage, and other mishaps are rampant in airports. Here are the best ways to minimize disruptions on your next Cancun vacation.
- Fly direct
Flying direct is always a plus, but many of us opt for a connecting flight to save a few pennies. Unfortunately, a connecting flight this year drastically increases your chance of being impacted by the industry-wide disruptions.
Several especially bad weekends in 2022 have seen thousands of flight cancellations and delays across the US. Staff shortages, business, and weather problems all have an impact, and even though your first flight might be on time, your connection might not fare as well. Suddenly, you’re left in a random airport, scrambling to find a flight.
Pick a direct flight. Best case scenario: you make it to Cancun and have a blast. Worst case: your flight is canceled, but you can head home to your comfortable home. It’s worth the extra money. If your nearest airport doesn’t have any direct Cancun flights. Check the next closest. It’s worth an extra hour of driving.
If you can’t avoid a connection. Leave a buffer of at least two hours. You don’t want to be competing in the Olympic sport of Airport Sprinting.
2. Book with the airline (and level up)
If problems do arise, you want the best chance possible to get moving again. Airlines generally give preference to customers who book with them instead of using a third-party vendor. They’ll also ensure that first-class passengers are reassigned first in the event of a cancellation, so it pays to be upfront.
Not that you need to pay for business class. But an upgrade to comfort seats or even preferential boarding means you’ll skip the line a little as the reallocation process begins. If you do book with an aggregator like Expedia, approach them for help instead of the airline.
3. Pack light
This might be tough for the vacationers that enjoy having three outfits a day, but this time, try and go carry-on only. Baggage handler numbers are low across the world, and baggage collection points are being seen packed with missing or delayed baggage as far as the eye can see. If there’s a time your bag could go missing, it’s 2022.
Going carry-on only removes that risk completely. When you arrive, you’re out of the airport quickly and enjoying your vacation with everything you need. Trust us, it’s possible to pack for a two-week trip with a single carry-on.
If you truly can’t handle the thought of traveling without your checked luggage, make sure you pack several full outfits and all of your essentials in your carry-on. That way, if your checked suitcase doesn’t make it, you can still enjoy yourself.
4. Time your flying
There’s only so much you can do to prevent disaster, but one of the best ways is to time to flights well.
Picking the first flight out of the airport on any given day is a good tactic. Delays will be minimal, even if there are some. Later flights are impacted by every flight before them, compounding what could be hundreds of flight delays. Picking an early flight beats that math. It also increases your chance of being placed on another flight that day, especially if it’s a frequent route.
If you’re choosing a date, avoid the weekends where possible. Not only will the flight be a little cheaper (maybe), but you’ll avoid the crowds. Friday and Sunday are particularly bad as people flying out for weekend trips flood the airports. A Wednesday morning is the optimal day for avoiding the craziness, so if you’re able to take a few extra days off work, it’s well worth it.
5. Download your airline’s app
What’s the old saying? Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. The same goes for airline travel this year. If you don’t have your carrier’s app downloaded on your smartphone, your putting yourself at a severe disadvantage.
Whatever airline you use, their app should be downloaded on your phone. You can check-in online, saving loads of time if you don’t check a bag, and any updates to your flight will appear there immediately. This gives you a precious headstart over your less-prepared fellow passengers. You being at the desk first could be the difference between a same-day booking or an airport stay.
6. Invest in insurance and pick credit cards wisely
Travel credit cards and travel insurance offer loads of protection when travel plans are turned upside down. What could be a pricey overnight airport stay, extra clothes to replace missing bags, lost luggage, and canceled flight protection are a saving grace for many.
Although the money might not arrive immediately, tourists are usually reimbursed if they’re eligible. Some higher-end cards will have concierge services available to offer direct help in unfavorable situations too.
Bonus – Stay calm and show respect
Easily one of the most overlooked pieces of advice is remaining calm and treating travel workers with respect. It’s important to remember that six thousand flight cancellations in a single day are not the fault of the young worker at your check-in.
Showing them some empathy often goes a long way, and they’re likely to remember unsolicited kindness amid the anger and frustration directed their way. While it might not always get you on a flight quicker, you’re far more likely to get help by being the good guy.
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