Traveling during Mercury Retrograde? Here’s What You Should Know

Flight delays, misplaced luggage, sudden weather changes, and travel accidents can happen at any time of the year. According to aviation experts, these disruptions are typically caused by weather conditions, operational issues, technology outages, and air traffic congestion—not planetary alignments. Yet, whenever Mercury enters retrograde, many travelers can't help but wonder whether the cosmos is partly to blame.

Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion that makes the planet appear to move backward in the sky. While there's no scientific evidence linking it to travel disruptions, the phenomenon has become a cultural reminder to slow down, plan carefully, and stay flexible.

Rather than canceling trips, seasoned travelers use Mercury retrograde as a reminder to prepare for the unexpected. We spoke with Kelly Misa-Fernandez and travel couple AJ and Moe Cenzon about how they travel with confidence and peace of mind.

Revisiting your favorite destinations

Since Mercury retrograde is often associated with revisiting the past, rediscovering places you’ve already fallen in love with isn’t such a bad idea. It’s a familiar and comfortable option, especially when you’re craving a getaway without the uncertainty of exploring somewhere entirely new.

Whether you’re experiencing a favorite destination in a different season, returning with family and friends, or uncovering corners you missed on your first visit, revisiting a place often reveals new perspectives and hidden experiences that make the journey feel fresh all over again.

For TV personality and content creator Kelly Misa-Fernandez, repeat visits have become even more meaningful through family travel. “My son’s sense of wonder is contagious,” she shares. "Seeing places I've been to before through his eyes completely changes the experience. It reminds me that familiar places can still surprise you."

Kelly adds that revisiting destinations allows her family to move beyond tourist attractions and build a deeper connection with a place, discovering hidden gems and local flavors that make each trip feel new.

Taking control and not letting fear decide for you

Every trip comes with uncertainty. The key is managing these risks rather than avoiding experiences altogether.

Travel couple AJ and Moe Cenzon learned this during a recent trip to Jeju, South Korea. What started as a restorative getaway soon became an unexpected culinary adventure.

“AJ and I had been dreaming of trying Jeju’s famous black pork barbecue,” Moe recalls. “We knew we’d be exploring local eateries, so we packed essential medications and got travel insurance for added peace of mind, knowing we'd be covered in the event of a medical emergency.”

“Traveling is really about embracing experiences with confidence while taking sensible precautions so you can fully enjoy everything the destination has to offer,” AJ added.

Preparing for the unexpected is the ultimate hack—Mercury retrograde or not

Whether you believe in Mercury retrograde or not, unpredictability is a constant in travel. Delays, detours, and surprises aren't bad omens—they're simply part of the journey. The difference lies in how prepared you are when they happen.

That’s why travel insurance shouldn’t be treated as a nice-to-have but a critical component of a well-planned itinerary. A 2025 survey of 2,000 travelers by AXA and Talker Research found that unexpected medical costs abroad remain one of travelers' biggest financial concerns, particularly in destinations with expensive healthcare systems. The study also revealed that 51% of travelers purchase insurance to help protect against unexpected expenses.

For experienced travelers like Kelly, AJ, and Moe, preparation is the ultimate travel hack.

“When you’re traveling with family or a big group of friends, certain preparations are non-negotiable,” Kelly explains. “My travel budget doesn’t just cover flights and accommodations. I also factor in emergency funds, transportation contingencies, additional baggage costs, currency fluctuations, and reliable travel insurance such as AXA Smart Traveller.”

AXA Smart Traveller offers emergency medical coverage of up to PHP 3.5 million for accidents and another PHP 3.5 million for sudden illnesses while abroad, alongside benefits for common travel mishaps such as flight delays, cancellations, and baggage-related incidents. Travelers also have access to 24/7 travel assistance support, an important consideration when crossing time zones and navigating unfamiliar destinations.

In addition, families and friends traveling together can take advantage of special group rates, while frequent flyers may benefit from annual multi-trip plans.

If you've been waiting for a sign, whether traveling during Mercury retrograde is a good idea, perhaps this is it. So, pack wisely, plan intentionally, and protect yourself and those you care about —knowing AXA Smart Traveller has your back in every adventure.

As the one name to cover all your insurance needs, discover how AXA can provide complete protection for travel, car, health, and small and medium-sized businesses here.