Travel Chaos: Tips When Travelling During Holiday Strike

The festive season is one of the busiest times of the year for the rail and airport industries, with millions of people looking to reunite with loved ones around the world.

The industrial action is causing travel chaos for people planning to travel out of the United Kingdom during the holidays. Planes, trains, ferries, and even roads look set to be affected by a string of UK strike action that can go on until early January 2023.

If you are travelling this Christmas, here are tips to help make your travel less stressful as possible.

Purchase a flexi-cancellation ticket

During the Covid lockdowns, many airlines began offering tickets with a large amount of flexibility if customers needed to rebook.

Travellers can get flexi-cancellation tickets as part of the standard base price or as an add-on. It is recommended to book tickets through a credit card to speed up the refund process.

When offered a refund or rebooking a ticket, it is advisable to request money instead of a voucher so you have more flexibility to check for alternative transportation or routes.

Get Travel Insurance

There are certain protections offered to passengers who are affected by strikes and weather events, with customers sometimes able to claim compensation under EU law adopted by the UK. However, a good insurance policy can provide extra reassurance, extra protection, and more peace of mind.

Most importantly, it may cover emergency medical costs if you need attention while away.

Make sure you read the policy carefully before committing as some will have exemption clauses around industrial action and events outside of the airline's control.

It's also best to keep a physical and soft copy of the insurance policy during your trip.

Download Airline App Or Check Latest Travel News

Make sure you have the airline app on your phone because sometimes you get information quicker than the gate agents. You can also use the app to reschedule your flight or just call the airline directly.

Be on top of the travel news so you are aware of any changes before you go to the airport.

Pack Light and Travel With Hand Luggage

The impact of Border Force strikes may cause delays and cancellations which impact the swift return of your bags. To avoid being stuck in the arrivals hall, packing light and only having a carry-on bag is the best way to go.

Do you have any stress-free travel tips during the holidays? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

Check out the deals we have found below and tell us your travel plans.

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And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.

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