Current Status: Trapped in Iceland with @Shenanigator After Being Screwed by WOW Air - HELP!
Looks like we may not make it home from SteemFest after all. Never thought this would happen, but it did. If anyone has advice, we are open to it. (UPDATE: Please see note at the end!)
So here's the sitch.
We booked our international flights through WOW Airlines. This particular airline only flies out of a few US cities, so we had to book a flight from Phoenix to San Francisco through another airline. It would have been the same situation (in reverse) coming home:- Amsterdam > Iceland (layover) > San Francisco (WOW Airlines)
- San Francisco > San Diego (layover) > Phoenix, AZ (Southwest Airlines)
When we got to Iceland, however...
WOW Air canceled the flight from Iceland (we suspect because not enough people were on it, but they have yet to provide the real reason). It was rescheduled it for 4pm local time tomorrow. In the mean time, we are stuck in a hospital-esque hotel where they plan to order pizza for dinner (and who knows what for breakfast -- they have no kitchen here.) They have no way of accommodating my food allergies, which means I will be without food for another 24+ hours. In case you missed the last post, I've been hungry for the majority of the time in Amsterdam already.Watch out, WOW Air, hangry (hungry + angry) Brittany is a force to be reckoned with.
Did I mention this "hotel" is actually an old military bunker turned hostel? We get two twin beds and have to share a bathroom with another room. Thanks, WOW.
The 24-hour delayed flight alone might not be that bad, except...
We now have to eat the cost of the Southwest flights. To rebook new flights would cost at minimum $360 each. That's even after searching every airline for the best deal.What about other methods of transportation?
We're trying to brainstorm any other possible way to get back because $360+ flights are not an option financially. Taking a Greyhound bus would be over $150 each, but take 3x's as long and we both need to be back at work. Similarly, renting a car is another option, but even more costly. If anyone has other thoughts, PLEASE let us know. We actually might be stuck in San Francisco.
Disclaimer: Anything we earn from this post will go directly to getting home from SteemFest.
If youre going to miss your SW flight because your connecting flight was delayed, you should be able to get a refund. I think.
I have a fuckton (im not sure if its an english or metric fuckton) of miles on my corporate card that are probably going to expire at the end of the year anyway. If you want ill see what i can book... san fran to phoenix right?
Omg that is unbelievably generous! Yes, it would be from SFO to PHX for two adults. After our last call with WOW Air it looks like they may (huge emphasis on may) be able to fly us into another airport (LAX) which would be wildly cheaper because we could take a $40/each Greyhound bus back to Phoenix from there. We're still waiting on a call back to find out if that's possible.
ill shoot an email to our AA and have her see what we can book. What time do you get into SFO (if youre more comfortable emailing the info, its my steemit name @gmail
We'll go ahead and email you. It'll be coming from my username @ gmail.
You sir or madam are awesome.
keep in mind that im only potentially awesome. I'm hopeful ill be able to do something, but a short notice miles booking a week before thanksgiving is not necesarily a sure thing, so keep upvoting the post too everyone
Great job!
I'd argue that you're still awesome whether you're able to book any flights or not. The willingness to help and the generosity behind the sentiment warrants that!
can't agree more!
AWESOME! <3
I think it's the metric fuckton rather than imperial because they're stuck technically in Europe ;)
Agreed, my understanding is:
@michelle.gent still making me laugh, even though we're now on different continents again. 😂
As long as you can still smile a little... :) <3
Damn! I'm glad this is being sorted! I hope you guys reach home safely and soon! Thank you @sigmajin for helping them out with this!
sigmajin is a very awesome dude. Straight up. :)
udaman
I send you guys all the steem dollars I had in my account. Get home safe.
My jaw is on the floor right now... @exyle I don't know how we could possibly thank you for your generosity! If we are able to find another way to fund or find reimbursement, we will make sure to return your gift.
Sorry to hear this! Though I'm in Iceland I am unfortunately in the North and currently snowed in. But I'll keep an eye on your posts and if there's any way I can see to help I will jump in.
You're awesome @andrarchy, thank you!
That's a rubbish situation, I hope things get sorted for you.
Have you checked your travel insurance? Did you book on a credit card? If so check if they offer anything for flight delays.
Gah, tell me about it. We haven't checked into insurance/credit card benefits yet so thanks for that suggestion. There's some type of recourse through "European Unions Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004," but that would only apply if WOW Air admits that it was a fault outside of "weather conditions, political instability, unexpected flight safety shortcomings, security risks, or strikes." No one seems to have any information on the cancellation still.
I'm so sorry this happened, you two! Resteemed so more can see and upvote.
We really appreciate that. After the investment to go to SteemFest in the first place, this was not an expense either of us anticipated.
No worries! I'll also transfer the payout of my next post to one of you two. Look for it in about 5 hours. I hope it helps! Best of luck!
Oh wow, that is so generous of you! I hope we will be able to somehow have WOW Air reimburse the second flight (or find another affordable option), in which case we will return your gift. If not, we cannot possibly express our gratitude enough. THANK YOU!
My pleasure. I'm happy to be able to do it!
Hope you get home safe!
Thank you @steveit!
I'll offer to escrow a loan
Or maybe someone else may if that may help. Sure the community has ways to help you manage your situation. I'll offer to escrow a loan from some in the community. Then offer escrow to pay back from the community if interested. Being an Eagle Scout with a love of finance stuff, I'd be more than happy to help manage a solution. Anyone / everyone may let me know if this may be a thought to put into action.
Eat what you can from what you find if anything. Otherwise be sure to drink plenty of water. A the body can survive some time without food as long as it gets plenty of water. Maybe someone in the community may help get you food by mail or research too. Wish you the best!
Shared on twitter
We appreciate the thought. We've been overwhelmed by Steemians' generosity, so the loan probably won't be necessary.
Thankfully, we managed to find a generous local who was able to accommodate my long list of food allergies.
That's what community is for! :)
Disclaimer: I am just a bot trying to be helpful.
This sounds like a sick story to tell your grandchildren... now it of course sucks.
First thing to know... where exactly are you stuck?
I'm sure we will. Currently I'm just desperate for food, though. No one seems to understand the whole food allergies situation. 😞
We're currently in Iceland until the flight to San Francisco tomorrow, but from there we'll actually be stuck since we can't afford to book a flight at the last-minute rates.
Iceland is not just like a village... actually there are about 20 airports!
It´s Reikjavijk, I suppose?
Oh, duh. Haha. Yes, that's where we are.
ok now we are getting closer... which hotel? Far away from the City?
Trying to organize through some channels at least something to eat...
I really appreciate you trying to help. Thankfully, we found a generous local who managed to accommodate my long list of allergies.
Oh no way! I'm so sorry!! I wish I had more SP to upvote your post to heaven so you can pay for all the expenses. All I can do now is resteem and reshare in the chat channels :-?
Thanks @logic! Your support means a lot. Even if up votes can't pay for our trip back, the encouragement and suggestions really have lifted our spirits.
I've just noticed that I received small travel reimbursement from Steem Fest.
Re-transfering right to ya :-)
We are hanging onto hope that somehow Wow Air will reimburse the flight, in which case we will return your gift. I can't possibly express enough gratitude in this comment, though. THANK YOU!!
I've sent a small amount, I hope it helps a little <3
Everything helps, thanks! We're still hopeful we can get home affordably, and if we do, we'll return any gifts.
Just make sure you get home ok before worrying about returning the gifts <3