5 Tips: Traveling in a Time of Uncertainty
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water (or fly over it)…
The constantly changing rules & restrictions for travel are A LOT to keep track of right now. There are new announcements every day that may or may not affect those travel plans you made at the beginning of the summer when we were all starting to breathe a sigh of relief. When you add in the anxiety and uncertainty that many of us are feeling right about now, it’s hard to feel confident in any travel plans you’re considering.
For me, personally, I had to cancel three big trips in 2020 but I was hopeful I’d get back out there in 2021. I made a bunch of plans to travel between June & January, and I even took two trips this summer. Now, I’ve just cancelled my Labor Day weekend trip…and while I remain hopeful that I will still get to go on my remaining trips, I also know that nothing is guaranteed. As I’ve already said—travel considerations are changing all the time.
And here’s another rub—even through all of this uncertainty, things are booking up for 2022. Fast. If you’re feeling unsure about booking a vacation for next summer, and you wait to make your plans, the chances are that the destinations/hotels/activities/restaurants you really want are going to be unavailable.
With so many aspects of travel that fall outside of our control (especially. now), it’s important to focus on the things you CAN control. So here are 5 tips for making amazing travel plans for next year without worrying about losing the money or energy you’ve invested in your trip:
Forget about finding a “deal”
There was a brief moment in 2020 when folks thought they were going to be able to score some red-hot bargain travel deals. If those deals ever truly existed, they are long gone. Right now—and for the foreseeable future—demand is outpacing supply in all aspects of the travel industry. If I learned one thing in my high school Economics class, it’s that prices go up when demand is high. Adjust your expectations for finding travel bargains (even last-minute ones), and concentrate instead on planning the trip that will bring you the most joy for your investment.
Book the more flexible fare/rate
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: in travel, you get what you pay for. The lowest prices come with the most restrictions, so even though you’re paying a lower fare/rate up front, you’ll have very few options if you need to change or cancel your plans. The extra money you might pay for those plane tickets or hotel reservations will be worth it for the peace of mind, if nothing else. It’s always important to remember that the lowest price doesn’t mean you’re getting the most value.
Get travel insurance
This is something I recommend no matter what, but it’s especially important now. A lot of people are hoping to find insurance that will reimburse them 100% of their money, no matter what…sorry, that doesn’t happen. In fact, most (if not all) of the travel insurance policies won’t cover a lot of COVID-related cancellations—even under the Cancel-For-Any-Reason plans. So, why even bother? Well, if you get sick or are forced to quarantine outside of the US, you’re going to be glad you’ve got it. The benefits definitely outweigh the costs here.
Get vaccinated
It is becoming clear that unvaccinated individuals are going to face a lot more restrictions (travel and otherwise) than those of us who are. Getting vaccinated is a good way to avoid these restrictions while doing your part to protect those around you.
Work with a travel advisor
I can’t stress this enough—having someone on your team whose job it is to keep track of the constantly changing travel rules is invaluable. We are able to help you navigate the rules, regulations, restrictions, testing & quarantine requirements…I could go on. Beyond our normal value (which is huge!), we are helping our clients plan & travel safely and smoothly. You can go ahead and fill out the contact form here on my website, if you want me to be an all-star on your team!
