How I traveled to Puerto Rico for free for one week

10 years ago I traveled to Venezuela on Black Friday. However, I had to make a layover in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for 4 hours. Once we boarded the plane and were ready to leave for Caracas, Venezuela, the captain announced that the plane had a mechanical problem and we had to leave the plane. At the American Airlines counter they gave me some options to travel to Caracas: One option was to take a flight with a stopover in Miami, another to Dallas and finally to Caracas. I immediately said no! I remember that they offered me another option from San Juan to Colombia-Dallas, and then from Dallas to Caracas, which I also rejected. I finally accepted coupons for a two-night stay at an airport hotel, including food coupons, all free as compensation for canceling my flight to Caracas.

The next day I wasted no time, it was Saturday and I visited the beautiful Old San Juan and the famous Fort El Morro. By Sunday, I was ready to go to Venezuela. As I was about to board my flight to Caracas, the airline offered a $400 bonus on plane tickets for seven volunteers who chose to stay. Then they increased the offer to $500. I asked some new friends if they wanted to stay, and one of them said, "That's not real money; I'd rather go." In the end I decided to stay and the airline gave me a $700 voucher and a nice hotel room in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, a few meters from the beach.I enjoyed three days on the beautiful beach and had free food included with the coupon provided by American Airlines.

On Wednesday, when I was checking my luggage, I told the airline counter clerk about my experience staying for free in Puerto Rico. He mentioned that the plane was overbooked and they might offer travel vouchers again so some people would stay. While I was waiting to board my plane, American Airlines offered another travel coupon for people to stay on, this time for $500. I accepted, which included one more night at the Isla Verde hotel with free food. The next day, I finally flew to Caracas, but not before spending six free nights in Puerto Rico, a plan I hadn't anticipated. I was lucky enough to be at the airport during the craziest time of the year: Thanksgiving weekend.

In conclusion, I stayed in Puerto Rico for six days, visiting its beautiful historical capital, Old San Juan and Fort El Morro. I enjoyed the island's nightlife and some of its beautiful beaches, all without having a plan.