Travel isn’t always the joy we want it to be and sometimes a highly anticipated family holiday can turn into a disaster. Maybe it was the long line at airport security that made you miss your flight. Or getting the flu on your dream trip to Paris. We’ll be talking about worst (and best) travel experiences during our Dec. 6 TravelingMom Twitter party.

Whatever your worst travel experience, chances are it wasn’t as bad as the travel disasters that befell the finalists in Travel Guard’s World’s Unluckiest Traveler Contest. Some would make any traveling mom cringe. There’s the seriously dehydrated 3-year-old who was sent home from the clinic still on an IV. Or the mom and daughter who nearly died from eating tainted salsa in Mexico—while on a family holiday to honor a dead relative.

Such seriously awful travel stories are not required for attending this TravelingMom Monday Twitter party. We’re looking for people who have been there, done that and are now ready to laugh at their misfortune.

The winner of Travel Guard’s year-long World’s Unluckiest Traveler contest will get $10,000—and one very lucky voter in the contest also will get $10,000. So vote in the contest and then join us on Twitter to talk about lucky and unlucky travels. It will be fun. (And we’ll have prizes.) All the details are below.

Wondering what the heck is a Twitter party? We can help.

Party Details:

WHEN:  Dec. 6, 9-10 pm ET (8-9 pm CT; 7-8 pm MT; 6-7 pm PT)

WHO:  @CindyRichards @KimOrlando @travelingmoms @greeblemonkey @chaotic_barb  @savorthethyme @misslori @mommadjane @PaulEisenberg

WHAT: Twitter party - Unlucky Travelers

HOW to JOIN:  Follow the hashtags #TMOM #TGUARD

Or follow the custom Tweetgrid

PRIZES

Along with this fun discussion, Travel Guard is offering prizes. You can be eligible to win a cool prize just for RSVPing here. If you RSVP here AND join us on the Twitter party, you can be eligible to win the grand prize: a "Winter Travel VIP Pass.” This is a full suite of travel, emergency, medical and concierge services that will help you warm up to winter travel.

There are four ways to enter:

1.       RSVP for the party below by leaving your Twitter handle. If you don't have a Twitter account, you can still enter by leaving a comment below telling us why you aren't on Twitter (i.e. "It's stupid," or "How can I say anything important in 140 characters or less?")

2. If you are on Twitter and would like an additional entry, help us spread the word about TravelingMom Monday by tweeting:

#TMOM Twitter Party 12/6, 9pm ET Share your unlucky travel story RSVP http://t.co/bGlseu4 #TGUARD

Then come back here and leave a new comment telling us you tweeted the party promotion and you'll get a second entry. All tweets must be sent before 9pm ET on December 6.

3.       See the finalists in Travel Guard’s World’s Unluckiest Traveler contest, then come back here and tell us which one you voted for. (Remember one lucky WUT voter will win $10,000.)

Throughout the party, we’ll choose winners of Travel Guard swag (WUT t-shirt + wireless travel mouse) from the RSVP list. The Grand Prize winner will be awarded at the end of the party to someone on this RSVP list WHO ALSO HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE PARTY. If you cannot make the party, you are not eligible to win the grand prize.

All winners will be chosen using random.org. You will have 48 hours to respond and claim your prize. Winners please DM your address to  @DebMomof3 and allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.