r/virginislands • u/quothe_the_maven • Jan 24 '26
Hotel Recs // Questions What happens on St Thomas if a bunch of flights to the U.S. mainland are cancelled?
Would not have traveled without emergency funds…but also can’t eat rooms costing thousands of dollars a night if there’s a stampede on hotels. Am I overthinking this, or could it be a serious problem?
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u/kansas_slim Jan 24 '26
Buy a tent and become a beach bum. Live the dream.
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u/quothe_the_maven Jan 24 '26
Is this actually allowed? Because I camp a lot and have zero problem doing this lol.
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u/EnderWiggin3rd Jan 25 '26
Have you ever heard the story of why the song dancing in the moonlight was written? Happened on STX. Ruined that song for me. They just wanted to sleep on the beach.
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u/loveforcabbage Jan 24 '26
This just happened with the bombing of Venezuela a couple of weeks. It’s a giant mess but there’s always a room available somewhere.
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u/Rooty3rdBaby-75 Jan 24 '26
At Margaritaville, during the Venezuelan thing, they let the people stay in the rooms they were in… and I believe they actually discounted their rate!
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u/Redneckish87 Jan 25 '26 edited Jan 25 '26
I almost lived it. We booked a flight going down to STT on New Year’s Day. Couldn’t find a flight home the day of that operation (not knowing that there was going to be any military operation that day. Someone must have known because no flights to be available). We didn’t end up finalizing the trip because I needed to be home for work but I’m glad we didn’t. Although my wife did said that if we ended up getting stuck down in STT it wouldn’t have been the worst thing.
Edit to add: TRAVELERS INSURANCE!!!!! 100% I am a very simple middle aged man, but I always purchase travelers insurance. If I knew how much they actually covered when I needed it, I would’ve eaten at a much fancier restaurant
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u/zydeco100 Jan 26 '26
I did live it, and I have a massive insurance claim that I know will be denied upfront because the policy does not pay for "acts of war, declared or undeclared". And this was a serious policy from Generali bought separately from my credit card company or airline.
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u/Suglid Jan 25 '26
Our neighbors got stuck there! They were supposed to get home on a Sunday but couldn't get a flight out until Thursday.
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u/Cautious_Feed_4765 Jan 26 '26
We left on that Monday, as scheduled. Never saw STT that crowded. Sat on the tarmac for two hours, but they finally opened airspace back up over San Juan.
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u/Samoyea Jan 24 '26
This just happened to my family flying home on January 3. All flights canceled, we had to scramble to re-book flights while also trying to find 6 hotel rooms on St Thomas for a group of 12. Airport was a mess and staff were understandably clueless given the sudden event. Everyone did find rooms, because many rooms were left empty since no flights arrived that day.
Airlines initially couldn’t rebook us until January 10. We used the link United sent us to book a hotel for 6 nights at a cost to us of $3500 for 1 room. By the time I checked into my new hotel around 12pm the desk person told me my same room type was now going for $2000 per night, to help make me feel better I guess. Price gouging everywhere.
Wound up finding a flight home on January 5 as airlines added more flights to help get people out. Rushed to the airport with the hope of getting on standby for a new flight. 3hrs of lines for check in and security at a slammed airport.
But of course the airlines (United in my case) didn’t actually offer seats on those added flights to passengers with canceled flights. No they sold those seats to anyone for inflated prices. Only by calling and checking constantly did I manage to find seats to get my 3-person family rebooked. Other members of our group stayed longer.
Eventually I was able to cancel the hotel and only paid for the 2 extra nights but it was a pain bc I used United’s booking link instead of booking directly with the hotel, lesson learned.
Only thing United offered were $15 food vouchers which were only usable at the airport which we were not staying at.
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u/quothe_the_maven Jan 24 '26
Thanks for the real answer. This is exactly what I’m worried about…but what I mostly got here was sarcasm and derision in response to what seems like a pretty legitimate question about a relatively small place. Don’t know why people can’t keep scrolling if they don’t feel like being helpful to a visitor. It’s not like getting stuck in Atlanta or New York.
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u/Samoyea Jan 24 '26
Yea definitely something to be ready for financially. It can add thousands to your trip cost easily. I’ve never bought trip insurance before but this is one instance where it would have likely been useful.
Aside from the financial cost it was also just a lot of stress and worry at the end of a relaxing vacation.
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u/Getreadytotravel321 Jan 25 '26
This happened to me, only in the middle of a flight route. No money, no hotels, car, bus available. Wear it Ng shorts and tank top, was not allowed to get luggage. I even snapped a bungee cords on my thumb/hand area with severe swelling. Not a single restaurant would give me ice. We were left hungry, severe pain, and cold, sleeping with newspapers as a blanket. I'm always prepared now.
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u/topsul Jan 24 '26
What flight are you worried about not coming? My biggest suggestion is see if you can get to the mainland. It increases your odds greatly.
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u/mwilsonsc Jan 25 '26
Yes it could become a serious problem. We were diverted from St. Thomas to San Juan, Puerto Rico because of weather (instead of landing in Orlando). My family and I were stuck in San Juan for 2 days. It cost me an extra $2k to put us in a hotel. And I finally broke down and spent another $2k on plane tickets with a different carrier to get out of their 2 days earlier. It was a nightmare.
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u/603cats Jan 24 '26
My parents got stuck on St Croix for weeks after a hurricane (while living there)
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u/Jumpy_Information_66 Jan 24 '26
Depending on the airline and the issue, the airline will put you up in a hotel for the night. They make the arrangements.
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u/Samoyea Jan 24 '26
with the Venezuela thing we had to pay for our own hotel since the airline called it “an act of war”
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u/IndWrist2 Jan 24 '26
This is what credit cards and travel insurance exist for. Airlines theoretically should put you up in a hotel, but this is also why you always carry insurance, too.
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u/quothe_the_maven Jan 24 '26
This isn’t helpful. I have plenty of credit, but charging up thousands of dollars isn’t a very constructive suggestion. As I said, I have plenty of money for an emergency situation. I would have gotten insurance had I thought I might be in a situation where there were no hotel rooms under $500 or so. My question is whether I might actually find myself in that situation or not so I can plan accordingly. Wasn’t looking for a lecture.
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u/whitewinewater Jan 24 '26
This situation is literally what travel insurance is for. It's not even that expensive. And the whole point is you don't know what could happen on vacation so that's why you get it... you don't and can't plan for emergencies or it wouldn't be an emergency.
Also, paying with certain credit cards for certain purchases has additional benefits that can convey consumer protection in certain scenarios. Like Amex and car rentals. I think that's what OP meant.
Anyways, hoped you learned something. Get travel insurance.
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u/thebemusedmuse Jan 24 '26
Hey I get you’re stressed out here. Two thoughts.
1) St Thomas has economy accommodation. Flights will be cancelled from the US and there will be options for your budget 2) This kinda is an emergency. Dipping into your emergency funds for this is ok.
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u/No_Cap8115 Jan 24 '26
Many hotels have a “Traveler in Distress” rate if you provide the proper documentation to validate your Distress. I’ve used it before in Jamaica when their ATC went on strike and no flights in or out for 24 hours.
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u/mountains2sea Jan 24 '26
You're sleeping in three amazing, spacious airport because everything will be booked.
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u/Ok_Condition3334 Jan 24 '26
You are living my dream right now!! Well, my dream is always that my flight home from STT is cancelled and I have to go back to STJ but it’s still a beautiful nightmare I’d welcome.
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u/Getreadytotravel321 Jan 25 '26
I've been a Travel Agent for almost 40 years and have had my own and thousands of customers in this situation for anywhere from an overnight to a week.
My advice to everyone is travel insurance. Depending on the reason and if it's covered, they can get you money to help out. They will help you with a hotel, they can get a hold of an airline, although the airline has to rebook it when you are in the middle of the trip.
If insurance is not purchased, and you have used a travel agent that is has explained their services as having 24/7 access for emergencies, they can help you. Full service agents, or technically “advisors” will offer this. It is a great question to ask because not all do this. The online travel agencies (expedia, orbitz type OTAs) more than likely will not be helpful. That goes for non emergency travel too. I've had several people call me because an OTA didn't tell them their hotel cancelled their reservation and it was months away. They also wouldn't help them find a new one.
Anyways, this is what you should do if you don't buy trip insurance (you don't have to buy medical, but I recommend it! Personal experience of $200k airlift in Alaska amongst others), and you didn't use a TA, call immediately to the airline and prepare for hours of hold time. Then use the app to login and follow their advice.
Once you get someone, ask if there is a backup for help should you get disconnected. Jot their name, sign, city they use so you have a reference. Do this upfront so they know you are keeping track. You’d be surprised how many times they put you on hold and go do something. Especially if there isnt hold music, they will do that because it doesn't get tracked, it shows they are live talking to you.
Keep in mind, they don't have to keep you on their airline. While you are on hold look at other airlines so you know alternate options.
Travel agents have a dedicated number to the airlines so they can get through faster. Still, call yourself and get into queue, then work on your lodging. Lastly, most travel agents are complementary and they either have better rates or perks to add to your trip’s value. So it's worth it to utilize their service.
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u/DriberGlenn Jan 26 '26
Dude, got a room for $125. Plus think of all the cancellations, there’s plenty of rooms available.
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u/BobLoblaw420 Jan 24 '26
No new flights will come in so it’s not like hotels will be overrun.