A Simple Airport Travel Tip That Works

Here’s a great basic airline travel tip on what to do if your flight is canceled or delayed while you’re in the gate at the airport. Instead of rushing to get in line at the counter, grab your mobile phone and call the airline’s reservation line. There’s a short window of time available to get in there and secure the seat to your destination while this new variable (the canceled or delayed flight) is being absorbed by the airline’s scheduling system. In my experience, if you wait more than 5 or 10 minutes, it’s possible that many of the preferred options have been secured by those at the front of the line or from other callers ahead of you!So jump in line if you can get a good spot but definitely get on the phone. The agent that you speak with at the airline’s reservation center can probably do everything that the desk agents can – and you’ll typically find them friendly and happy to help! I have had call center agents rebook me, find me better seats, even upgrade me to first class, all while having a glass of wine watching the game on the bar TV while across the hallway, 40 miserable people stand frustrated and hoping the line will move faster.Also, if you are an elite member, even at just a first level, you’ll likely have a special number to call that will get you through to an agent faster. Check your membership card and consider adding this special access number in to your phone for faster access. I have my airline special member services numbers programmed to my mobile phone along with all the pause breaks, account numbers, pin’s, and the call center menu options saved to a single 1 touch speed dial for each airline. Having access to airline flight agents at the touch of a button can be absolutely invaluable when time is of the essence!Lastly, it’s always better to speak with someone face to face if possible so if you can speak to an agent at the gate quickly, take advantage of the opportunity – but remember, grab that phone and call as a backup just in case!