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Missing a flight thanks to a broken printer — reader mistake story

March 07, 2022
4 min read
Missing a flight thanks to a broken printer — reader mistake story
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A seemingly infinite number of things can go wrong during travel. Thankfully, travelers can easily avoid some of these unfortunate situations with a bit of preparation, and others appear bewilderingly predestined.

No matter which end of the spectrum your ordeal falls on, it's informative, instructive and often entertaining to swap stories within the travel community.

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This week's reader mistake story comes from reader Ryan Patterson, who missed a flight to a soon to reopen Vietnam because of a mishap with his visa:

“I was traveling from the Maldives through the Pacific Rim and into Europe on a 14-stop round-the-world adventure. I strategically chose my routes to fly as many 747 aircraft as possible.
I got a visa for Vietnam — but apparently, I needed a passport photo that was printed out. Bangkok airport (BKK) supposedly had printers available but had ran out of paper. I had to get from BKK to Seoul (ICN) to avoid missing my next award flight to Frankfurt.
I had to pay $400 for a last-minute seat to ICN. Luckily, I got a window and actually secured a seat on the Star Alliance 747-400 aircraft with Thai Airways.
I lost 25,000 points and $400. Not too bad — but not ideal.”

TPG disaster classification: Really bad luck (but avoidable)

Americans need a visa to visit Vietnam. (Photo by Mongkol Chuewong/Getty Images)

The fact that Ryan tried to prepare by researching and obtaining the proper visas only to be turned away at departures is heartbreaking — especially when the only thing separating him from his airplane seat was a printer that "ran out of paper."

Frequent travelers may know that bringing multiple copies of things like visa photos, scanned passports and driver's licenses, medication forms, etc., can come in handy when on the road. Just a few small papers take up almost zero room in your travel bag, and you won't even notice they're there until you need them.

Discount retail stores and warehouses usually offer to take visa photos for a nominal fee. In some cases, you can even take them yourself and print them from home if you're confident in your ability to produce a compliant photo. Some countries (many, nowadays) accept electronic visas for certain travel. Check the rules and requirements before and during your trip.

Related: The best credit cards with travel insurance in 2022

It's extra important to be ready for pitfalls when booking an exciting round-the-world award ticket like Ryan. That's because airlines will void your remaining itinerary if you are a no-show to one of your flights. Ryan told us that his entire itinerary spanned five continents; missing a flight anywhere along this bucket-list trip could have ruined the remainder of the journey — causing hundreds of thousands of points or thousands of dollars to be forfeited.

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If you're thinking of a similar trip, it's best to build your itinerary with lots of time for blunders. Ensure that you'll be at the city of your next flight at least a day before takeoff.

Some of us (myself included) even prefer to book one-way tickets on simple round-trip domestic flights, just in case disaster strikes, and we don't make our outbound flight. That way, only half of our itinerary is lost if we miss the first flight.

Related: Why I (almost) always book one-way flights

Thanks for sharing this story with TPG readers, Ryan!

Please email us if you'd like to be featured in our weekly TPG reader mistake story. You'll receive a $25 gift card if we publish your story!

Feature photo by Tetra Images/Getty Images.

Featured image by (Photo by Tetra Images/Getty Images)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4X4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2X2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

    Earn 125,000 points
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  • Annual Fee

    $125
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
  • 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
  • Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines

Cons

  • Airline points transfer ratios are poor
  • Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
  • Terms apply.