As a seasoned travel advisor and a parent of kids on travel sports teams, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of booking refundable flights, hotels, and car rentals. Life is unpredictable, and as we’ve all seen, things don’t always go as planned. Being able to make last-minute changes or cancellations without penalties can save a lot of stress, especially when it comes to family travel for sports tournaments. I always recommend that families opt for refundable options to ensure they’re not stuck with non-refundable costs if plans suddenly change.

It’s also crucial to be aware that advertised prices for travel aren’t always what they seem. Often, the base price you see doesn’t include a range of fees that can quickly add up. Things like baggage fees, seat assignments, different bed configurations (queen vs. king), parking charges, resort fees, additional driver fees, and even insurance can significantly increase the total cost of your trip. These hidden fees can be a real surprise if you’re not prepared. Always read the fine print and factor in these extras when budgeting for your travel.

This weekend, our family faced the reality of the unpredictable nature of travel. We were scheduled to attend the Nashville 7v7 football tournament, but it was canceled due to weather conditions just two days before we were set to leave. Fortunately, because I had booked everything with refundable options, I was able to make quick changes without any financial loss.

Here’s how I handled the situation:

– **Hotel**: I clicked cancel on my hotel confirmation. Nothing was charged because I booked a cancel by the day before  and pay at the hotel rate 

– **Southwest Flight**: I clicked cancel on our itineraries and they issued a flight credit for future travel for each passenger.

– **Car Rental**: I clicked cancel on the car rental reservation with no fees or penalties, as it was pay at time of pick up and cancel anytime rate.

Although travel can be unpredictable, especially when you’re planning around events like sports tournaments, it’s always best to cover yourself. Having refundable options gives you peace of mind, knowing that even when the worst-case scenario happens, you’re not financially burdened.