时尚女人。可爱孩子。美丽家居。男人爱车: How to Make the Most of Flight Delays

Illustration by: Bashel Lubarsky

Flight delays got you down?

With two trips disrupted in the space of a week due to severe weather, I am once again reminded of the importance of being your own advocate.

Calling your airline to cover all flight options and cities, rather than relying solely on the app, in case you have to reschedule. Packing extra non-perishable snacks in case you are stuck on the tarmac for several hours, as I was in New York and Austin. Making sure you have all your medical essentials and a spare set of clothes in a carry-on. (I'm also a proud member of the carry-on-only club—not sure about you, but being separated from my bags gives me great anxiety.) Belonging to a trusted traveler program because it always helps you save time, especially if you have to make a tight connection.

Another great tip: assess your airport lounge situation in advance, just in case you get stuck and are in it for the long haul. While killing time at LaGuardia, I was able to see the new Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club in Terminal B, and was thoroughly impressed by the modern design, the intuitive service, even the spaciousness and cleanliness of the restrooms. In a crowded, fractured landscape, airlines and airports are now in a race to capture your attention—and in my opinion, a stellar lounge is certainly an excellent investment. The irony is that brands can oftentimes make a greater, more positive impression on a traveler when something goes wrong–and turn a snafu into a consumer loyalty win. We'll be discussing this topic and more at our first-ever World's Best Summit, held July 16-17 in New York City, a thought leadership conference bringing together the best of the best in travel. We hope you can make it!