I was scheduled to fly back to the US on Tuesday. On Sunday night I came down with the worst case of food poisoning I have had in years. It continued into Monday.
Tuesday morning I was in no mood to sit on a plane for eight hours. So I made a list of things I would have to change if I postponed my trip.
First, I made sure my hotel would extend my stay. They could.
Next the flight. Luckily, bad weather was expected at my destination so American sent a note saying anyone who wanted to change to another day could do so at no charge. I tried changning it all on their app and website but they were having "technical difficulties."
So I called expecting to be on hold for hours. After getting through all the taped garbage and trying to convince AI that I wanted to speak to someone, I was connected immediately to an agent. (I was in the UK but called the US number.)
I was able to change with no problem to today.
I then had another flight to change and could do this online. This, did cost a bit more for some change fees. (No enough to warrant putting in a claim to my travel insurance.)
Then two hotel reservations. Even though it was last minute, the hotels modified my reservations with no charge or penalty. (I have status with both chains.)
Then an easy change with a car rental reservation. (Also status.)
The only problems were the doctor's appointments. These had to be moved to way in the future.
I used Google Voice for all the calls back to the US which cost me nothing.
So, if problems occur, don't panic. Make out a list of what changes you need to make and get to it. If calling, use Google Voice while on wifi for free calls to the US and Canada.
Oh yeah, and give second thoughts to supermarket sushi.