Tag: TravelProblems - Page 2

#TravelProblems

CinemaSprite

azores airlines keeps changing my flight—what can i do?

We booked our dream trip months ago: flying from JFK to Lisbon with a long, relaxing layover in Ponta Delgada. I was honestly excited about that 26-hour stop—enough time to see the town, eat some local food, and actually enjoy the Azores instead of just sprinting through the airport. We even spent hours researching and finally booked a cute hotel and some tours for that one day. But now, just four days before we leave, Azores Airlines (SATA) changed our connecting flight again. Suddenly, our 26-hour layover is chopped down to less than two hours. All those plans? Gone. The hotel, the excursions—money down the drain, and we’re back to rushing through the airport like it’s a bad sitcom. Here’s the kicker: I called SATA and their agent actually found two open seats on the flight we originally wanted. She even put them on hold for us! But because we booked through Hopper, SATA says Hopper has to confirm it. Hopper tries, but SATA’s help desk suddenly claims our new, rushed itinerary is “final”—even though those seats are still there. It’s like a game of hot potato, and we’re the ones getting burned. We’re stuck in this weird limbo where the airline’s own changes ruined our plans, but they refuse to fix it, even though they easily could. I’ve emailed everyone I can think of—SATA, Hopper, even the Portuguese aviation authority. I’m ready to file complaints with the U.S. DOT if I have to. Has anyone actually gotten SATA to budge in a situation like this? Did you have to go nuclear, or is there some magic phrase I’m missing? I’m honestly at my wit’s end here. If you’ve been through this with Azores Airlines or another airline, how did you finally get them to do the right thing? #travelproblems #azoresairlines #flightchange #Travel

ChronoChinchilla

expedia flight credits: can anyone actually use them?

I booked a flight through Expedia a while back, but plans changed and I had to cancel. Honestly, I just wanted my money back—who actually prefers a flight credit over a refund? But, of course, that wasn’t an option. So now I’m stuck with this so-called “credit” that’s supposed to make things easier. Spoiler: it’s been nothing but a headache. I’ve spent hours trying to use this credit. I searched for flights to every city I could think of, both in the US and abroad, but the credit never applies. Tried booking for myself, tried adding my spouse—no luck. Even their online help just keeps looping me back to the flight I already cancelled, as if I’d want to rebook the exact same trip that didn’t work out the first time. And don’t get me started on customer service. I called, hoping to talk to a real person, but after endless menus and robotic voices, I just gave up. It’s like they’re hiding from us on purpose. Has anyone actually managed to use one of these Expedia flight credits? Or is this just a way for them to keep our money without giving us anything in return? I can’t be the only one who feels like these credits are more trouble than they’re worth. If you’ve cracked the code, I’d love to hear how you did it. I’m starting to think I’ll never see that money again. #expedia #travelproblems #flightcredit #Travel

PixelParadox

are airlines splitting up travelers on purpose?

Last week, my partner and I booked a quick flight to visit our daughter. We bought our tickets together, like we always do, and figured we’d be seated side by side. That’s how it’s always worked for us, even back when we were flying with our kids in tow. But lately, every time we fly, we end up in totally different rows. I’m not talking about being separated by an aisle—sometimes we’re ten rows apart! It’s not just us, either. On our last flight, the woman next to me was in the same boat—her husband was sitting beside my partner. We all laughed and figured we’d just swap seats. Problem solved, right? Well, apparently not. The flight attendant told us we had to stay put unless we’d paid extra to pick our seats. Here’s the kicker: the airline wanted $170 for us to sit together on a two-hour flight. I get that airlines are trying to make money, but this feels like a bit of a cash grab. I never had to pay extra just to sit with my spouse before. Now, it seems like every airline is doing it, and sometimes the fee is outrageous—once we were quoted nearly $300 just to move to two seats together, and they weren’t even good seats! I can’t help but wonder if this is all intentional. Are airlines really splitting up people who book together just to squeeze more money out of us? It’s not just an inconvenience—it feels a little sneaky. Has anyone else noticed this happening more since the pandemic? Or is it just my bad luck? I’d love to hear if others have run into the same thing, or if there’s a trick to avoiding these extra fees. It’s starting to make me dread booking flights, and I used to love traveling. #airlinetravel #travelproblems #familytravel #Travel

MelodyMongoose

losing clear at us airports—what’s my next best option?

I just found out I’m about to lose my CLEAR membership at US airports, and honestly, I’m a bit panicked. I’m not a US citizen or green card holder—just here on a work visa—so CLEAR was my golden ticket through security at JFK, LGA, SFO, and SEA. Now, because I can’t get a REAL ID, CLEAR is kicking me out. It feels like every time I finally get my airport routine down, something changes and I’m back to square one. I fly between New York and the West Coast almost every week, and speed is everything for me. I don’t mind paying extra for first class or elite status, but those so-called priority lanes? Sometimes they’re actually slower than the regular line, especially when CLEAR is packed. The worst is when you think you’re set, then the priority lane just dumps you back into the main queue with everyone else. I’ve even tried those Reserve powered by CLEAR time slots at SEA and JFK, but I’m not sure I trust them enough for tight connections yet. Here’s what’s driving me nuts: Are there any programs out there that actually work for people like me—foreign passport, no US residency? I’d pay for a concierge or some airline-run service if it actually got me through security faster, but I don’t want to waste money on something that’s just for show. And for anyone who’s used those airline priority lanes at JFK, LGA, SFO, or SEA—are they ever actually faster, or is it just a marketing gimmick? I’m also curious if anyone’s had luck with SEA Reserve or those paid concierge lanes. I keep hearing mixed reviews, and I don’t want to throw money at something that’s just another fancy line. And what about JFK—besides VIP One or T4 Reserve, is there any secret trick to skipping the mess at T1 or T4 during rush hour? I’m open to any weird hacks—terminal swaps, early-morning flights, hidden checkpoints—if it means I can stop stressing about missing my flight every week. I’m willing to pay for reliability, but it feels like every solution has some catch for non-citizens. Has anyone cracked the code? I’d love to hear your stories—especially if you’ve found something that actually works and isn’t just smoke and mirrors. I’m tired of feeling like I’m always one step behind just because of my passport. #airporthacks #travelproblems #frequentflyer #Travel

SapphireSpecter

what happens to lost luggage if you keep traveling?

I just landed in Astana after a whirlwind trip from Europe, with a layover in Istanbul that was so short I barely made my connection. Of course, my suitcase didn’t make it. There I was, exhausted and staring at the empty baggage carousel, realizing I’d have to figure this out in a country where I don’t speak the language. I managed to file a lost luggage report with airport staff, but there was no Turkish Airlines desk or anyone who could really help. After a lot of awkward translating back and forth, they told me my bag would come in on the next flight—tomorrow. They handed me a random Kazakh WhatsApp number and a piece of paper, and that was it. Here’s the kicker: I have to catch another flight tomorrow to a different city in Central Asia, and I’ll be bouncing around for the next two weeks before heading back to Europe. If my bag doesn’t show up before I leave Astana, how on earth is Turkish Airlines supposed to find me? Am I supposed to keep coming back to the airport, or will they send my luggage to wherever I am next? It’s stressful enough to lose your things, but trying to get answers when you can’t find airline staff and don’t speak the language is a whole new level of frustration. Has anyone actually had their bag catch up with them while traveling through multiple cities? Or do airlines just give up if you’re not staying put? I’d love to hear if anyone’s figured out how to actually talk to an airline in a foreign airport when there’s no one at the counter. #lostluggage #travelproblems #airlinestories #Travel

DigitalDolphin

stuck in istanbul airport for 24 hours at almost 80

We thought we’d found a great deal for my in-laws to visit their new granddaughter in Manchester: Caracas to Istanbul, then on to Manchester, with just a short layover in Istanbul. We were all excited, especially since they’re both pushing 80 and don’t travel much anymore. Then, out of nowhere, the airline emails to say the first leg is leaving a whole day earlier. My in-laws, eager to see their granddaughter, quickly accept the change—who wouldn’t want an extra day with family? But when we double-checked the tickets, we realized only the first flight had changed. The second flight stayed the same, leaving them with a 24-hour layover in Istanbul’s airport. We called the airline within 15 minutes, thinking this must be a mistake. But they just shrugged us off, saying since we’d accepted the change, there’s nothing they can do. No hotel, no help, nothing. So now, two people who can barely stand in line for more than 10 minutes are supposed to camp out in an airport terminal for a full day. Has anyone else run into this kind of mess with airlines? How do you even begin to get them to take responsibility when their changes leave older folks stranded like this? I can’t be the only one who thinks this is just wrong. #travelproblems #airlinestories #familytravel #Travel

ChicChimera

emirates lost my daughter’s luggage and won’t help

My daughter finally came home to New York after two years in Indonesia, and we were so excited to have her back. She flew Emirates with two big suitcases—one made it, but the other just vanished. That missing bag had almost everything she owned from her time abroad: clothes, electronics, little gifts, and all those irreplaceable keepsakes you collect when you live far from home. We did everything by the book—filed a claim at the airport, called Emirates, sent emails, you name it. But all we get is the same runaround: “Check the website,” “Call the baggage line.” Each one just sends us back to the other, and nobody actually tells us anything useful. It’s been months now. Not a single real update, no offer to help, and definitely no compensation, even though I know there are rules for this kind of thing. I’m honestly at my wit’s end. Has anyone else had their luggage go missing for months with Emirates—or any airline—and actually gotten it back? Did you have to threaten legal action, or go public to get them to pay attention? I’m starting to wonder if that’s the only way to get results. I feel like we’re just shouting into the void here, and it’s so frustrating when you follow all the steps and still get nowhere. If you’ve been through this, what finally worked for you? #lostluggage #emiratesairlines #travelproblems #Travel

MirageMuse

what happens if a friend cancels after booking a flight

We’ve been planning this summer trip for months—four of us, all excited to finally get away together. After lots of back and forth, we booked our return flight from Frankfurt Hahn to London Stansted with Ryanair. I handled the tickets, so everyone just sent me their share and I booked all four seats on my app. But now, one of my friends has to drop out last minute. He’s not worried about the money, but I’m left with an extra ticket in my app and only three of us actually flying back. I’m honestly a bit nervous about showing up at the airport with one empty seat on our booking. I’ve heard stories about airlines getting fussy over group bookings not matching up, and I really don’t want any drama at the gate. Ryanair isn’t exactly known for being flexible, and I can’t even figure out if I can cancel just his ticket or if it’ll mess up the rest of our booking. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of situation? I just want to make sure we don’t run into any surprises or get stuck with extra fees just because someone couldn’t make it. It’s frustrating when plans change, especially after all the effort we put into coordinating this trip. I wish airlines made it easier to handle these things without all the stress. #travelproblems #airlinetrouble #grouptravel #Travel

AzureArrow

china southern hotline: endless waiting and no answers

I tried calling China Southern’s customer service from here in North America because I needed to change my flight ticket. The representative insisted that the only way to make changes was by calling their hotline—no online options, no email, just the phone. So, I dialed the number and waited. And waited. After 20 minutes of listening to the same hold music on repeat, I still hadn’t reached a real person. I even tried calling at different times of day, thinking maybe I’d have better luck early in the morning or late at night, but it was always the same story: endless waiting, no answers, and my issue still unresolved. Honestly, it’s frustrating because we’re used to at least getting a callback or some sort of response after a while. I’m starting to wonder if anyone has actually managed to get through to a real person from North America, or if this is just a wild goose chase. It almost feels like they don’t want us to make changes at all. Has anyone found a workaround, or is everyone else stuck in this customer service limbo too? #ChinaSouthern #CustomerService #TravelProblems #Travel

IcicleInk

charging devices abroad: why is it always so complicated?

I’m gearing up for a year-long trip with my partner, and you’d think charging our phones and tablets would be the least of our worries. But after watching a dozen YouTube videos, I’m more confused than ever. Everyone swears by the Anker 737 Power Bank and the 140W USB-C charger, but then I see people complaining about these heavy chargers literally falling out of the wall in some hotels. Last time we traveled, I remember standing in a tiny Paris hotel room, holding my phone up to the wall because the plug wouldn’t stay put. Not exactly the relaxing vacation vibe I was hoping for. Now I’m seeing people recommend travel adapters like EPICKA, or even bringing a UK extension cord to plug everything into. But that just sounds like more stuff to lug around, and I’m not convinced it’ll solve the falling-out-of-the-wall problem. Is there really a foolproof way to keep all our devices charged up quickly, no matter where we are, without having to babysit the plugs or carry half a suitcase of adapters? It feels like every solution has its own headache. I’d love to hear if anyone’s actually found a setup that works, especially for two people traveling together. I can’t be the only one who’s tired of wrestling with hotel outlets at midnight! #travelhacks #chargingtips #travelproblems #Travel

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