Travel agents can help you save money, rebook canceled flights

HOUSTON – With the chaos of flight cancellations and skyrocketing vacation costs this summer, a travel agent may possibly aid you have a smoother vacation.

When vacation scheduling web sites like Travelocity and Expedia arrived alongside, lots of travelers started off browsing out prices them selves and reserving their possess trips.

Related: July 4th vacation: Thousands of flights canceled Friday additional predicted

But making use of a travel agent can also help you obtain the offers, and get you rebooked if your flight is canceled.

The Fourth of July weekend is off to a bumpy start. Flight tracking web-site FlightAware shows about 3,300 U.S. flights were delayed, and more than 300 have been canceled, as team shortages proceed.  

But a travel agent can relieve the tension of seeking to rebook a canceled flight yourself, by rebooking it for you.  

“Most of the time, we’re readily available 24/7. I had a client that remaining final evening for the Philippines. I was up until two in the early morning to make absolutely sure they manufactured their connecting flights,” mentioned travel agent Diana Wong with Journey Leaders.

Related: Airlines blame FAA for common flight delays, cancellations

Travel agents have associations with airlines, motels, and distributors, and can aid you preserve dollars, or get far more for your revenue.

“Functioning with a vacation advisor makes it possible for you to uncover some of the most effective promotions out there, promotions that are not out there to the public. You can safe updates and additional money-preserving journey benefits,” claimed Josh Zuber of AAA travel products and services.

“I have a shopper which is touring to Peru, and I’m ready to function with a general manager with the lodge the place they are heading to be keeping, just attempting to make absolutely sure they have a great continue to be,” said Wong.

Travel agents normally know some inside insider secrets to factors like obtaining challenging-to-discover rental cars and trucks.

“They’ve been there, they’ve completed that. They’re nicely traveled, owning skilled the places they are recommending to vacationers,” reported Zuber.

More SULLIVAN’S Good Sense

Making use of a journey agent commonly will never expense you just about anything, as a lot of are paid out by the airlines, inns, and resorts. 

To come across a respected vacation agent, check with people you know for recommendations, and check out on the internet opinions. TravelSense.org can also help you come across a journey advisor.

Quite a few persons are acquiring vacation insurance coverage, significantly Cancel For Any Rationale policies, with so several flights currently being canceled and delayed.

Journey coverage can assist you get reimbursed for non-refundable flights that are canceled, or costs, these as accommodations and foods. It usually expenditures 4% to 8% of the price tag of the excursion. Several insurers also present clinical coverage for the vacation.  

“I remarkably endorse acquiring journey insurance just because if there are any modifications, or they have to terminate, the only detail they have to shell out is the charge of the travel insurance plan,” stated Wong.

Additional Journey News

Airlines are needed to refund your ticket if they terminate or significantly delay your flight.  

If which is not the circumstance, keep in intellect, quite a few credit playing cards will enable defray bills if your trip is delayed as properly. So verify your credit score card for journey protection to start with.

Yet another insurance price is rental automobile insurance policy. Most car insurance policies policies go over the driver for rental autos, so additional insurance coverage is not essential. Wong does recommend shopping for the rental company’s insurance, on the other hand, if you are leasing a automobile in a international country.