The Dream Trip to Germany
By Carol Hriczov
16 October 2023

A few days ago, a heartwarming conversation took place between a me and my daughter. 
My daughter shared a story about her friend Sam. Sam is a college student brimming 
with ambition, excitedly shared her plans with my daughter to present her research
paper at a conference in Germany. Her parents, supportive of her dreams, agreed to 
allow her to spend a week exploring Germany after the conference, provided she could 
manage her expenses. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for her to broaden her 
horizons and gain international exposure.

A Sudden Change of Heart

Fast forward to a week before the trip, and the story takes an unexpected twist. The 
parents, initially open to the idea of their daughter spending an extra week in Germany, 
suddenly had reservations. They worried about their daughter traveling alone for an 
extended period and decided it would be best for her to return home immediately after 
the conference. To sweeten the deal, they offered to take a family trip to Germany at a 
later date.

Naturally, this change in plans left the young lady disheartened, but she decided to 
comply with her parents' wishes. She canceled her hotel reservation and attempted to 
reschedule her return flight.

The Airline Dilemma

The next hurdle in her journey appeared when she contacted the airline. The first agent 
she spoke with insisted that she would have to purchase a completely new ticket. 
Hearing about this predicament, her well-meaning friend’s mother (a travel advisor)
suggested giving it another shot and calling the airline once more, hoping to negotiate a 
change fee instead.

To her surprise, the second agent she spoke to was more accommodating. They agreed 
to change her flight without charging her an additional fee. A sigh of relief washed over 
her and her parents, as it seemed that the problem had been resolved.
However, seasoned travelers know that a verbal confirmation is not enough to guarantee 
a smooth journey.

The Importance of a Confirmation Email

It was at this juncture that the seasoned travel advisor stepped in to provide some sage 
advice. She insisted that she needed a new confirmation email from the airline, and 
rightly so. Verbal confirmations can be fleeting, and in the event of any issues at the 
airport, having a hard copy of the confirmation could make all the difference.

Taking heed of her travel advisor's advice, she contacted the airline once more. This 
time, she asked for an email confirmation to be sent to her, which she promptly printed 
and packed securely in her carry-on bag.

A Surprise at the Airport

As the day of her flight arrived, the young lady headed to the airport, confirmation email 
in tow. However, her journey was far from smooth sailing. When she approached the 
check-in counter, the agent informed her that her reservation had been canceled due to 
non-payment for the ticket.

With a sense of panic creeping in, she retrieved her printed email confirmation and 
handed it to the agent. This led to an unexpected turn of events—the agent made a call 
to the carrier airline (as this was a co-shared flight) to investigate why the flight had 
been canceled. To everyone's bewilderment, the carrier airline confirmed that the flight 
was indeed canceled due to non-payment.

But here's where the story takes a fascinating twist. The agent, despite the confirmation 
of the error, chose to stand her ground. She argued that it was the airline's mistake and 
that they should never have sent the confirmation email to the young lady in the first 
place. However, she also declared that it didn't matter. The young lady had a valid 
confirmation email from the airline, and as a result, the agent made the decision to issue 
her a ticket on the spot.

An Unexpected Opportunity

With her ticket in hand, the young lady boarded her flight and made her way to 
Germany. The conference went off without a hitch, and attendees were awestruck by the 
determination and resilience of an undergraduate student presenting her research. She 
not only delivered a stellar presentation but also received several offers to work as a 
research assistant in prestigious labs—an incredible honor for someone at her stage of 
academic and professional development.

In the end, her quick thinking and her travel advisor's wise advice, which emphasized 
the importance of having a hard copy of the confirmation email, had saved the day. 
Without that piece of paper, she might not have flown to Germany on the scheduled day 
and missed out on the incredible opportunities that awaited her.

What Would You Have Done?

Now, as I wrap up this story, I'd like to invite you to reflect on what you would have done 
if you were in the young lady's shoes. Would you have been as persistent in seeking that 
confirmation email, or would you have taken the initial verbal confirmation at face 
value? Do you see the value of using a travel advisor? Perhaps, you've had similar travel 
experiences or valuable lessons learned during your journeys. We'd love to hear your 
thoughts and stories in the comments below.

In conclusion, this story serves as a reminder of the significance of meticulous travel 
preparation, the potential pitfalls of relying solely on verbal confirmations, and the 
unexpected opportunities that can arise from moments of adversity. It's a testament to 
the power of determination, quick thinking, and the invaluable guidance of a travel 
advisor. Travelers, take note—always have that confirmation email handy, you never 
know when it might save the day!

@traveladvisors ROCK!! - Carol Hriczov is the passionate owner of AM Travel Agency 
in Suwanee, Georgia. Her unwavering dedication revolves around ensuring that every 
journey she meticulously crafts for her clients is not only stress-free but also a delightful 
experience that goes beyond their wildest expectations