Another Travel Adventure
Frank Makes a “Striking” Contribution
Aug 06, 2012
Well, it looks like our luck has finally run out. Our last couple of trips went completely smoothly for Frank and I. So even though we had our trusty travel insurance, we didn't have to use it, thank goodness. This time we sure did get ourselves in a pickle though and you'll never guess whose fault it was. I'll give you a hint, his name starts with an F and rhymes with Hank.
This time I decided that I should include Frank in some of the trip planning. Usually I just tell him to get the suitcases out of the attic and that's when he knows we're about to go somewhere. You should have seen him trying to figure out the internet. I might as well have asked him to build a rocket ship. Well, I found the flights I wanted but Frank insisted on trying to find cheaper ways to get to Italy. Sure enough he found a cheap flight from London to Rome with an airline I never heard of, but I figured "What's the harm? I'll let him feel like he contributed."
We flew into Heathrow on the airline I chose and landed to the lovely news that the airline he had booked had just unexpectedly announced their strike. No planes were taking off for the foreseeable future. Can you believe our luck?? So while Frank stood at the counter demanding to see a manager (like that ever did him any good), I called our travel insurance assistance hotline and they helped us book a flight for the next morning (with an airline I knew); I even found a little hotel near the airport for us to stay the night! The biggest surprise though was when the travel insurance customer rep informed me that the airline strike was covered under our travel insurance plan!!
We recovered money for the airline tickets we could not use and for the hotel we had to stay in. Our meals and the cab fare to and from Heathrow during our "overnight" trip were also reimbursed! If it was up to Frank we may still be in Heathrow demanding to speak with the manager. Thanks to travel insurance, we had a lovely time in Italy and can't wait to go back! Only now I'm back to doing all of the vacation booking.
Oh yikes! You'd be surprised at how often situations like that come up. Travelers' book months ahead and then all of a sudden something threatens the trip at the last minute. Even Travelex's most basic travel insurance plans will cover you if supplier bankruptcy or strike leaves you stranded. Usually, travel insurance even qualifies people for Trip Interruption and Trip Delay benefits that can assist you with added hotel expenses, meals and transportation. Remember to keep your receipts to help move-along the claims process.
I'm glad you'll do the booking from now on and I'm so happy you received 24/7 concierge service. Not all travel insurance companies have that! Now, just keep Frank off of the computer when you book your next trip! Besides, we always like hearing about you surprising him with your adventures!
Traveling can sometimes be a bit of a challenge for just about anyone! Simply ask retired globetrotters Mildred and Frank. While they are a fictional, retired couple, the hypothetical events and problems they encounter may be typical of travelers worldwide. The characters of Mildred and Frank do not portray real individuals and the fictional stories, hypotheticals, events, incidents and tragedies depicted herein do not represent actual events or accounts. This story is for entertainment purposes only. It is not true and should not be relied upon as fact. Welcome to Mildred and Frank’s fictional escapades.