World's Unluckiest Traveler Promotion Prizes

The public will vote on the eight finalists and the four finalists with the highest votes will win these prizes:

One Grand Prize winner (for the finalist with the highest number of votes) will receive $10,000 USD.
The runner-up winner (for the finalist with the 2nd highest number of votes) will receive $5,000 USD.
The third-place winner (for the finalist with the 3rd highest number of votes) will receive $3,000 USD.
The fourth-place winner (for the finalist with the 4th highest number of votes) will receive an AWAY Aluminum Edition carry-on suitcase* (valued at $625.)

Plus, a randomly selected voter will be selected from the voting period for a chance to win a sweepstakes prize of a GoPro® action camera and kit** (valued at $480.)

Good luck!

Enter Now: X

The entry period has closed. Judges from Travel Guard will select eight (8) finalists with the most epic travel disasters that best follow the judging criteria:

1) Story about your personal major travel disaster is well-written and amusing, humorous and/or compelling with a beginning, middle and end;
2) Reflects your personal major travel disaster experience and that you were the actual traveler or travel companion;
3) Photo or video submitted is from your personal major travel disaster experience; and
4) Story and photo or video submission is family-friendly, respectful and appropriate.

The eight (8) finalists will be announced on this site October 26, 2026 for public voting.

Voting period starts October 26, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time (“CDT”) and ends November 9, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. CDT. Only one (1) vote per person/per email address per day for entire length of voting period is allowed.