how to make the most of a canceled flight

In the best of all possible flight scenarios, the security lines are short, flights take off on time, you get a free drink, maybe some peanuts, and you AND your luggage arrive on time.

Sometimes, it does not always go as planned. But have no fear, there are tons of ways to make the most of a sucky situation. It all started way back in December on a California vacation with my honey. After having an  AMAZING time in San Fran, we were making our way from San Fransisco to San Diego on a dreary Sunday night.  We flew through security and boarded the plane soon after.  Take off was delightful.  I had the pleasure of sitting in the middle of three seats with no window view. So after an hour of flying when the pilot came over the intercom and announced that we have been flying in circles for an hour unable to reach a decent altitude to go down to San Diego and that due to these mechanical issues, we would be returning to San Fransisco.

I had absolutely no idea we were basically circling the airport. None.  Because it was now almost 10:00 at night and there was only one --completely booked-- flight to San Diego left in the night.  They said they would "try to get as many people on it" as they could but for whoever could not get on, they would throw at a hotel for the night.  After hearing that the select few that would be lucky enough to get to San Diego would be based on frequent flyer miles, Nate and I watched all 100+ passengers RUN like Home Alone down to the departing flight to try to fight for a spot.  We decided to just do United a favor and opt to take the hotel deal.  Within 10 minutes we had a room voucher, $30 for food, and were on the next shuttle to the SFO Hilton.

We checked into our room and headed down to the bar, naturally. Although we were not allowed to use our food vouchers on alcohol (when I rule the world, you will be able to), we ordered a few martinis. They turned our to be THE.BEST.MARTINIS.EVER. We still don't know what made them so delicious and we have yet to find somewhere around here to make a comparable delicacy.

By the time we finished two martinis and were heading to bed, the rest of our flight was just arriving at the hotel. Nate + Kacey = winners.

We were put on the first flight to San Diego in the morning and were told that we would have a treat waiting for us online and to check it later. 

We were pumped to be in sunny San Diego, until we realized very quickly that my suitcase did not have as much luck. In fact, she was cold, lost, and alone for the majority of the day.  United got some *choice* words from Nathan and they offered up $30 for my to buy some underwear. How generous. Who needs a suitcase when you have $30 to spend at Target on new panties and a boyfriend to douse you with Axe so you smell good? It was fine to be able to buy some thongs and borrow clothes from Kristin, but being bra-less due to getting caught on the beach in the rain and its soaking wet, is not so fun.

Thank god to whoever invented a fan.

Moral of the story? If you can tolerate the night in a fabulous hotel with the best martinis in the world, airlines can reward you with $400 in free flights for your troubles. Thanks, United!

Life is good... especially when you have socks like these: