Travel agents can help re-book canceled flights
Heather Sullivan, a FOX 26 consumer reporter, has a clever sense of how to avoid airport trouble if your flight is affected. See the article : Air Canada has announced a major flight reduction due to the chaos of unprecedented travel.
HOUSTON – With the chaos of flight cancellations and soaring travel prices this summer, a travel agent can help you travel more smoothly.
When travel booking websites such as Travelocity and Expedia emerged, many travelers began searching for prices and booking their own tours by themselves.
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But using a travel agent can also help you find a quote and rebook if your flight is canceled.
The weekend of July 4th starts with a bumpy start. FlightAware’s flight tracking website shows that around 3,300 flights in the US were delayed and more than 300 were canceled because there was still a shortage of staff.
But your travel agent can ease the stress of rebooking a canceled flight yourself by rebooking for you.
“Most of the time we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I had a client who went to the Philippines yesterday evening. I stayed until two in the morning to make sure they had made the connecting flights, ”said travel agent Diana Wong of Travel Leaders.
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Travel agents have relationships with airlines, hotels, and suppliers and can help you save money or get more for your money.
“Working with a travel advisor allows you to find some of the best offers that are not publicly available.
“I have a client who travels to Peru and I am able to work with the general manager of the hotel where he is staying, just to try to make his stay pleasant,” said Wong.
Travel agents usually have some internal secrets, such as finding hard-to-find rental cars.
“They were there, they did it. They travel well, have experienced the places they recommend to travelers, ”said Zuber.
Usually, it costs nothing to use a travel agent, as airlines, hotels and resorts pay for many of them.
To find a reputable travel agent, ask your friends for recommendations and check online reviews. TravelSense.org can also help you find a travel advisor.
Lots of people buy travel insurance, most notably Cancel For Any Reason policies, with so many flights canceled and delayed.
Travel insurance can help you get reimbursed for canceled flights or expenses such as hotels and food. It usually costs 4% to 8% of the travel cost. Many insurers also offer travel medical insurance.
“I highly recommend that you take out travel insurance just because if there are any changes or they have to cancel, the only thing they have to pay is the cost of travel insurance,” said Wong.
Airlines are required to refund your ticket if they cancel or significantly delay your flight.
If not, remember that many credit cards will help cover your expenses if your trip is also delayed. So check your credit card for travel protection first.
Another insurance cost is car rental insurance. Most auto insurance policies cover a driver for the rental car, so additional insurance is not necessary. However, Wong recommends that you take out insurance from the rental company if you are renting a car in a foreign country.
