An early start this morning with a taxi booked for 3.30am for a 6.00am flight out of Havana.
I had given us 2 hours to connect to the flight from Mexico City - I am absolutely sure that for the rest of my life I will hear Dad telling me about the importance of plenty of time for international transfers - we didn't make our flight
The Cuban flight was a bit late and the exit from baggage claim / immigration / customs was really slow. We then had to catch a train to a different terminal (I know Dad I can already hear you)
We finally managed to get to the counter (after being redirected a few times) at just a few minutes before 9 (flight scheduled for 9.35) to be told it was too late and they would not issue us a boarding pass. There was a US$500 fee to change to another flight!! - more than we paid for the original return airfares - not likely.
5 desks later and expert gentle persuasion by Jacqueline (I was waiting to be the evil bad cop) and we managed to get to a point of mutual agreement that the only solution was to buy a ticket for a one way airfare - half the cost of the penalty fee. I'm looking forward to some entertaining negotiations with our travel insurance company!
We have got new tickets for a 1230 plane so will get to LA 3 hours later than anticipated. Helen and Lauren are still excited though and will meet us at the airport which is great.
I have managed to get the ladies into the Premier Aeromexico lounge (using my Diners Club). It is really quite comfortable and we have our own personal butler who doesn't speak any English but who is being very attentive to our every need.
Good luck Emily for your operation today - thinking of you
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