22/06/2022
Found this and it’s great advise!
I want to share some tips for summer travel. This summer everything and everywhere seems to be opening back up. But some things we take for granted in the past have changed. For one thing.. Flying this summer will be challenging!!
1. Things are not good with airlines and cancellations/delays..... if its less than 7 hours - DRIVE! I'm not kidding. There is nothing enjoyable about flying right now. On any airline. And there is a great chance your flight could be cancelled.
2. Download and use the app of the airline you are flying. You can do everything on it - get your boarding pass, track your bags, see your incoming plane, and change a flight. It sure beats waiting in the long line to talk to an agent! Usually these apps will tell you a flight is cancelled before the crew even knows! If you booked your clients flights this will allow you to rebook them right away and earn you a client for life!! 📲
3. Fly MUCH earlier than you need to - at least a whole day early if its important!! I used to fly the day of a cruise every time. Not any more. This week many people missed important things like weddings, funerals, cruises, international connections, and graduations. The tears were very real, and there was often nothing we could do! If you have to be somewhere, spend the extra money, go a day early and protect your investment with travel Insurance. Have a glass of wine and stay in a hotel, enjoy your night not being stressed while everyone else misses their events. 🍷
4. ALWAYS fly the first flight in the morning so you have all day to be rebooked if the you know what hits the fan. Yes, that means it might be a 3:00 alarm, but morning flights don't cancel nearly as often.⏰
5. This is not unique to this year, but keep in mind summer is thunderstorm season. A single storm can shut down a whole airport. Storms usually build as the day gets later. Book early flights! ⛈
6. Schedule long layovers - Your 1 hour layover is NOT enough anymore. 30 minutes, not a chance. 3 hours minimum. 🏃♀️🏃🏃♂️
7. Book direct with the airline if you can. When someone is going to get bumped. Guess what. It’s the orbitz or kayak booking. They are also much more likely to help if you booked with them direct.
8. Get trip insurance even if you don’t have a lot of money invested. Costly quarantines or another medical issue abroad or on a ship could cost thousands of dollars if not insured. A family of 8 missed their flight to Rome. The only flight of the day. They were going to a cruise which they would now miss. They were all crying, there was nothing Anyone could do. They also lost thousands. Also a reason to fly a day early! But definitely don’t sell a trip without insurance 🛳
9. Plan ahead. Everyone is short employees. I’m going away next weekend and have everything pre-booked. I’m talking the hotel. The tickets to the amusement park and all the other excursions we have planned. Also reservations for dinner for every night. You cannot expect to just wing it and expect to do what you when when you want.
10. Don’t be afraid to offer packages that may be above your clients budget. A lot of the best hotels, restaurants, cruise lines etc have done a good job retaining and hiring good employees. The service and quality can suffer at some of the entry level establishments. Everything is expensive these days and sometimes not much more money to upgrade that hotel