Oh Just Before You Buy That Ticket
As a full time travel consultant I've sent many clients to their dream destinations, vacations and getaways.
Many of my clients have planned and anticipated for their vacation moments mouths and even a full year in advance, while others jump up and purchase their tickets and run.
No matter if you've planned for years or simple decided to go on a quick getaway, every traveler must understand the rules, policies and benefits offered with their airline of choose just in case of any unfortunate travel mishaps.
But to many the word "mishaps" is not even a thought process in their minds and seriously it shouldn't be because you're on vacation for goodness sakes.
What could go wrong you ask yourself? Well I can tell you that 99.
9% of my job is helping people to reschedule their flight times, dates, or sometimes even requesting refunds in cases of cancellations and even untimely death and other circumstances.
And in times like this it's good to know what you're up against.
Sure the purchase of travel insurance is imperative but for those that opt not to get it and even to those that do.
I try to explain to clients what penalty policies they tend to face just in case they do not make the flight especially if the airline is not notified.
I noticed that many airlines within the industry fail to mention this to their clients especially their online customers which can create tones of frustration and sends a bad image to the entire industry.
Not to mention the little incentive fees that come along with changing seat assignments on a plane and the wonderful baggage fees that everyone has to pay upon check in.
Even though we cannot avoid such things, here are some tips to keep in mind when planning your next trip.
1.
Purchase travel insurance it goes a very long way.
2.
Educate yourself on penalty policies and fees just in case you cannot make your flight, hotel or cruise vacation.
3.
Find out ahead of time what must be done to preserve the value of your already bought vacation (ticket, car, hotel or cruise) if for any reason you cannot travel anymore.
(You'll find that with some airlines, hotels etc can cancel the entire value of your package if you did not call them ahead of time.
Costing you the passenger more money to go on your dream vacation.
) 4.
Remember the little things go a long way.
Try your best to be on time for a flight, this is more critical than many passengers like to believe.
By giving yourself an extra hour can make a world of difference especially in times of gate changes and flight re scheduling.
So always be ON TIME and STAY ALERT at all times, it can avoid future frustration and penalty drama in the points I mentioned earlier.
5.
At the security check point please follow the rules, keep your answers brief and move right along.
Easy breezy right? (again it can avoid future frustration and penalty drama in the points I mentioned earlier.
) 6.
If you do get into "I missed my flight or didn't go kind of situation" remember that things might not always go your way in terms of travel, but try your best to stay calm in whatever circumstance.
I know it's frustrating and not everyone is going to be nice to you.
But once you approach the situation in calm and relaxed manner you'll find that you can get over your travel issues a lot smoother and have a more pleasant experience with the person who is trying to resolve your travel dilemma.
7.
I know this is such a downer (but To Whom It May Concern) in times of death most airlines can be sympathetic and offer special rates in time of travel.
If it's a passenger that has passed away, the family should speak to a supervisor directly with the airline, over the phone, or at a travel agency to figure out if the ticket can be refunded and to find out what are the next steps.
8.
To my newlyweds and honeymooners, this is VERY IMPORTANT.
When booking that honeymoon vacation please book the names as stated in your passport.
We know that you'll have a new name after the wedding, but if your marriage name is not reflected in your passport PLEASE do not apply it when making your reservation online or with an agent.
If you already did then please take a copy of your new marriage certificate/license upon check in for identification purposes.
I hope these tips have been useful to you.
Stay tuned for more of my travel tips coming in my next article in August.
Many of my clients have planned and anticipated for their vacation moments mouths and even a full year in advance, while others jump up and purchase their tickets and run.
No matter if you've planned for years or simple decided to go on a quick getaway, every traveler must understand the rules, policies and benefits offered with their airline of choose just in case of any unfortunate travel mishaps.
But to many the word "mishaps" is not even a thought process in their minds and seriously it shouldn't be because you're on vacation for goodness sakes.
What could go wrong you ask yourself? Well I can tell you that 99.
9% of my job is helping people to reschedule their flight times, dates, or sometimes even requesting refunds in cases of cancellations and even untimely death and other circumstances.
And in times like this it's good to know what you're up against.
Sure the purchase of travel insurance is imperative but for those that opt not to get it and even to those that do.
I try to explain to clients what penalty policies they tend to face just in case they do not make the flight especially if the airline is not notified.
I noticed that many airlines within the industry fail to mention this to their clients especially their online customers which can create tones of frustration and sends a bad image to the entire industry.
Not to mention the little incentive fees that come along with changing seat assignments on a plane and the wonderful baggage fees that everyone has to pay upon check in.
Even though we cannot avoid such things, here are some tips to keep in mind when planning your next trip.
1.
Purchase travel insurance it goes a very long way.
2.
Educate yourself on penalty policies and fees just in case you cannot make your flight, hotel or cruise vacation.
3.
Find out ahead of time what must be done to preserve the value of your already bought vacation (ticket, car, hotel or cruise) if for any reason you cannot travel anymore.
(You'll find that with some airlines, hotels etc can cancel the entire value of your package if you did not call them ahead of time.
Costing you the passenger more money to go on your dream vacation.
) 4.
Remember the little things go a long way.
Try your best to be on time for a flight, this is more critical than many passengers like to believe.
By giving yourself an extra hour can make a world of difference especially in times of gate changes and flight re scheduling.
So always be ON TIME and STAY ALERT at all times, it can avoid future frustration and penalty drama in the points I mentioned earlier.
5.
At the security check point please follow the rules, keep your answers brief and move right along.
Easy breezy right? (again it can avoid future frustration and penalty drama in the points I mentioned earlier.
) 6.
If you do get into "I missed my flight or didn't go kind of situation" remember that things might not always go your way in terms of travel, but try your best to stay calm in whatever circumstance.
I know it's frustrating and not everyone is going to be nice to you.
But once you approach the situation in calm and relaxed manner you'll find that you can get over your travel issues a lot smoother and have a more pleasant experience with the person who is trying to resolve your travel dilemma.
7.
I know this is such a downer (but To Whom It May Concern) in times of death most airlines can be sympathetic and offer special rates in time of travel.
If it's a passenger that has passed away, the family should speak to a supervisor directly with the airline, over the phone, or at a travel agency to figure out if the ticket can be refunded and to find out what are the next steps.
8.
To my newlyweds and honeymooners, this is VERY IMPORTANT.
When booking that honeymoon vacation please book the names as stated in your passport.
We know that you'll have a new name after the wedding, but if your marriage name is not reflected in your passport PLEASE do not apply it when making your reservation online or with an agent.
If you already did then please take a copy of your new marriage certificate/license upon check in for identification purposes.
I hope these tips have been useful to you.
Stay tuned for more of my travel tips coming in my next article in August.
