Winter Storm Fern vs. The Goose: Or, Why I Spent 52 Minutes on Hold So You Don't Have To.
The view from the Esmé Hotel rooftop. This is the "Approachable Luxury" vibe we chase—sunny, chic, and absolutely zero snow.
From snowmageddon to the rooftop pool—and the $385 fight I won along the way.
Greetings from the rooftop pool at the Esmé Hotel. The sun is shining, the water is crisp, and—most importantly—I am not in St. Louis.
If you’ve looked at the weather map, you know Winter Storm Fern is currently wreaking havoc on the Midwest. My original plan? A leisurely Sunday departure to start a week of intense research: reviewing the Esmé, boarding the NCL Joy tomorrow for a "Seminar at Sea" (Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay), and capping it off with one more hotel review next weekend.
But when I saw Fern barrelling toward STL, I didn't wait and hope. I pivoted.
The reality back home. While Winter Storm Fern buries St. Louis, I'm vetting pools. (Don't hate the player, hire the player).
The Pivot (And The Fight)
I bumped my flight to Friday afternoon and grabbed a last-minute seat for my husband, Aaron, for Saturday morning. We scrambled, we packed, and we secured a last-minute room for the weekend.
Here is where the "Advisor Gold" kicks in.
Southwest rebooked Aaron’s flight for free due to the storm warnings. But for my flight? They tried to charge me a $307 rebooking fee, plus swallowed a $78 flight credit I had on file.
Now, a normal traveler might have panicked. Facing an ice storm, they might have just paid the $307 to ensure they got out. Or they might have spiraled into stress-eating while sitting on hold.
What The Goose Did:
I got on the phone. I spent 52+ minutes navigating the hold music and the agents. I argued the logic, leveraged the weather waivers, and didn't back down.
The Result: My credit card was refunded the $307. My $78 credit was restored.
The Math: That is nearly $400 saved, plus an hour of life reclaimed.
Why You Need a Co-Conspirator
At Follow the Goose Travel, we have a saying: "We do not sell bookings; we sell Peace of Mind."
If you were a client on this trip—whether you hired me for a Master Plan or just utilized our Air Concierge service—you wouldn't have even known this fight happened.
You wouldn't have lost the $309 (or flight credit).
You wouldn't have lost the hour on the phone.
You wouldn't have felt the "impending doom" stress of the storm.
You would have just received a text from me saying: "Flight moved. Refund secured. Go finish packing. I'll see you in Miami."
From 20 feet away, the Cadillac Hotel is Art Deco perfection. This is the "Instagram" version of the hotel.
The Vetting: Why I’m Here
I’m also here to tell you that not all "last minute" saves are created equal. To beat the storm, we checked into a different hotel for Friday and Saturday.
I’ll have a full review coming soon, but let’s just say it was a "learning experience" involving stained sofas, paper-thin walls, and service that was... distinctively un-luxury.
But this reinforces the "1 AM Oakland Rule": I vet these places so you don't have to. I sleep on the scratchy sheets and endure the transactional service so that when you travel, you only get the Goose Seal of Approval.
Today? Today I am at the Esmé, and I can confirm: this is the vibe. This is the Approachable Luxury we look for.
MMM, the “Pina de Plata” is delish!
The Takeaway
Don't let Winter Storm Fern (or any airline algorithm) dictate your happiness. Hire a Co-Conspirator who will fight for your refund and your relaxation.
I’m off to catch the NCL Joy tomorrow. Stay warm, St. Louis. I’ll have a drink for you.
Unapologetically Yours,
Caitlin Head Goose
Ready to travel without the panic?
Whether it's fighting airlines for refunds or finding a pool without screaming kids, I handle the chaos so you can handle the cocktails. Don't let the "Family Industrial Complex" (or the weather channel) ruin your vibe.
Current Status: Outrunning the storm in the 305.
