How About “Just Book It With A Travel Pro?”

I saw this article from the New York Times on flight delays due to weather.

In it, there is some context about what happens in the event of shoddy weather (much like the east coast has endured this year) and how airlines are doing what they can to avoid some of the PR nightmares associated with canceling flights.

Make no mistake, a canceled flight can be highly emotional.

I know one person who made it to Newark from the west coast to catch a commuter connection to Philadelphia for a funeral. This was the only somewhat reasonably-priced flight that he could get in light of the family situation. He knew that there was always a risk of canceled flights, but he booked it anyway to save a few hundred dollars.

His worst fears weren’t realized, but there were some dicey moments. There was a weather issue in Philadelphia. In fairness, an airline cannot predict the weather and they did everything that they could to keep him abreast of the situation. In the past, he flew into Newark and took a train south to Philadelphia — and at that point of the trip, he thought that might have been the best option.

The clock was ticking and he was nervous. Fortunately, everything cleared out and he made it down to Philadelphia in time — barely.

People who have endured cancellations this winter aren’t quite so lucky. It’s been an absolute mess and there really is no perfect playbook for the airlines. As mentioned earlier, airlines can’t predict weather. It’s part of the deal for them and they do what they can to minimize the damage done. The New York Times article mentioned a few handy tips about how to endure this situation.

There was one, however, that was missing: book with a travel professional.

Oftentimes, a traveler can rebook with an airline fairly easily. My friend who went to Philadelphia missed his connection in Minneapolis on the way back west because of thunderstorms. Delta did a very nice job of rebooking him and, aside from minor inconvenience, he made it home just fine.

However, if it is a more complex situation, it makes sense to have a travel pro on your side. It can get very confusing in tough weather and cancellation situations. Since emotions run high in times like this, it’s always better to make that first call to the travel agent who booked the flight for you.

This article was interesting and provided some good advice.

But, they missed the most important piece — start by booking with a travel pro. Just get in touch with us and we’ll help you out every time.

“Fusing” Two Airlines

I just caught this today from the Milwaukee JS. It appears as though Midwest and Frontier may have a new name in the near future.

So what does this mean?

At this point, it’s difficult to say. Midwest, based in Milwaukee, long had a reputation of great service, including wider seats. Those have since gone by the wayside so that the airline could do what it had to do to ensure that it could operate efficiently and effectively. Frontier, based in Denver, has progressively become a darling of the airline industry with its favorable routes, a good hub and service that takes a small page from the JetBlue handbook.

Regardless of what happens, these airlines will have to continue to figure out ways to separate themselves from the pack — and service may be the key. Frontier loyalists may  have to endure a few changes during the switch but, if the combined brand does what it believes it can do, then it’s safe to say that it will be clear skies ahead.

More regionalized airlines (not regional airlines — big distinction) have the unique opportunity to appeal to their local customer bases. Milwaukee (as noted in an earlier post) is becoming an interesting alternative in the Midwest. Frontier has always been a decent alternative out of Denver and has gained a passionate following. And, it will be interesting to see how the two cultures mix in this new, combined airline.

As always, if you ever have questions about air or other travel, drop us a line. We’ll do our best to give you the inside track so that your next trip will be the best possible.

Getting Social For Spring Break (And Social In General)

I caught this article about Panama City using social media (aggressively) to lure families and the “younger set” to their city for Spring Break.

I give them quite a bit of credit for being aggressive in luring new people to their city. I have just started out in social media (including this blog) and I’m always excited to see how others are creating success for themselves. As I get into blogging, Facebook and Twitter, I’m consciously looking at how other travel agents, destinations and suppliers are using it all to enhance the customer experience.

What I’ve noticed so far is that the social media programs that I feel are effective have a few elements: passion, honesty, fun — and are social. The other thing that stands out to me is that I’m seeing quite a bit of expertise being shared with people.

I have been in the travel business for quite awhile. I love this industry and I enjoy the interaction I have with my customers — new and long-time. I am passionate about travel (especially air travel), I feel that I am honest in the way I work with people and I certainly have a great deal of fun doing it all. I’m excited about social media because this gives me another chance to speak to all of you in a new way.

That said, I am still new to all of this. Part of what I see in social media of other travel companies, suppliers and cities is that there is always an opportunity to get feedback. This seems to be a vital to keep the conversation going. One person told me that there is no “wrong way” to do social media. It takes time, but it also demands a personal touch.

So, as I continue on my social media “journey,” I would love to keep getting feedback from all of you. And I look forward to sharing my expertise and passion and am always ready to answer any and all of your questions.

Domestic Airlines: A Love Story?

Plenty of people are fed up with airlines.

We hear about it all the time in the press. Complaints are up, travelers are frustrated and there is just general dislike all around.

But is this 100% accurate?

Actually, there is quite a bit to love about airlines here in the United States. It’s a tough business and each airline is doing the best that they can in light of changes that we haven’t seen before. There is massive strain on the system, but I often hear about how much people enjoy the airlines they are loyal to, can be surprised by sampling new ones and really CAN get great service.

One of my customers is an Alaska Airlines junkie. If he’s going to Richmond, he’ll fly into Washington/Reagan National and drive or take the train down just so that he can get that non-stop from Seattle to DCA. This same customer once took a flight to Austin through Dallas on American Airlines and, as he puts it, was “very pleasantly surprised” by how comfortable and enjoyable the experience was. He hadn’t flown American in years (because of his Alaska Airlines fix) but mentioned that they would be on the short list next time he needed to travel somewhere Alaska didn’t fly.

Another customer mentioned how pleased he was with JetBlue. He was having some issues with his TrueBlue points and went right to Twitter to voice his ire. JetBlue has long understood the power that social media can have when dealing with customer service issues. Within one minute of his Twitter post, he received a direct message on Twitter, telling him to call a specific 800 number and to ask for a specific person. He was shocked at the rapid response. When he called, the rep on the line said, “oh yes, she is expecting your call but if you could wait maybe 3 or 4 minutes, she is just finishing up with another customer.” He was skeptical at first. But, sure enough, TWO minutes later, the rep was on the phone with him and solved the problem. He was effusive on Twitter about the experience.

Other airlines are using social media to great benefit as well — and the rest are starting to learn about its power. It’s only a matter of time before this kind of service is common and expected.

One thing to bear in mind about air travel is mindset. If you think you’re going to have a bad trip, it can be self-fulfilling prophecy. But. if you put yourself in a different state of mind, your eyes may open and you could experience something really special that you’d be happy to share with colleagues and friends.

Yes, there will always be challenges, but it’s a refreshing change of pace to talk about how much people value and trust their airlines. It’s a tough job but most people in that industry love what they do.

And that’s a great love story to share.

If you’d like to find out more about a specific airline, let us know. We’re happy to share our experiences with both domestic and international carriers.

Fees Got You Down? Maybe Business Or First Class Is the Way To Go.

Think about all of the fees that you incurred on your last flight.

Let’s see: bag charge, premium seat charge, entertainment fee, food and drink — it’s enough to drive you a little batty. Now, if you’re traveling coach, that $200 round trip flight could end up being over $300 or worse, depending on the airline.

So, what about bumping up to a more comfortable experience in first class or business class?

Sure, when booking first or business up front, you could end up paying a premium. Part of that premium is that you are guaranteed a seat in the front of the plane. But, there are plenty of ways that you could avoid all of the charges that may end up being more affordable than you think.

1) The day-before/day-of upgrade is always a nice option, especially if you are traveling a long distance. Depending on the length of your flight, you can upgrade for anywhere from $100 to $250. This gets you in the front of the plane and all of the other fees associated with coach become moot. Plus, you’ll actually get to enjoy your flying experience for about the same (maybe a little more) price as all of the added-fees you would incur in coach.

As you check in, see if this option is available to you — many people take advantage of this, so it’s good to check 24-hours before your flight. If you don’t check the night before, get to the airport early and you may hit the jackpot.

2) Think about using some miles to upgrade. Some frequent flier programs allow you to use partial miles for upgrades. Again, if you’re traveling across the country, this isn’t a bad option to consider. Each airline is different, so you’d want to check first. If you have a ton of miles that are about expire or are burning a hole in your pocket, see if that is a good option.

3) Credit card points. See what kind of credit card points you might have for travel and see if there is any way to use them. Many times, we forget that we may have piled up a bunch of points that are just sitting there — and it’s never a bad idea to go ahead and use them if it means a more comfortable trip.

If you have questions about your frequent flier program or anything else related to flying more comfortably, drop us a line, we’re glad to help.

Hate Packing? Here’s A Nifty Tool To Help.

So, there you are, staring at your suitcase.

You may be going on a business trip to Vegas. Maybe you’re heading to Miami for some sun. Perhaps you are getting the family ready for a week away somewhere.

And you still have to pack.

I know some people who pack three or four days in advance. Some people are what could only be called, “expert packers” and can get two weeks of stuff into a carry on. Most people, however, put off packing and just wait until the last minute. That’s OK, life can get in the way and it sometimes makes your priorities change.

But, if you can, start working on a list at least five days in advance. That will alleviate all kinds of pressure, even if you’re getting ready for the 6am flight out of O’Hare at 11 o’clock the night before.

And all it takes is a list, no matter how small.

ASTA, the travel trade organization has a neat little tool to help you pack. All you have to do is go this site and enter in the pertinent details of your trip.

After you enter your info, you get a basic list of things that most people need for their trips. You may wish to pack everything on the list or maybe use it as a guide. What’s slick about this site is that it helps you determine what you need for your length of travel and the climate — so it includes things that you would probably need if you were headed to a warm climate. Again, it may not cover 100% of what you need to pack, but it is a start.

It’s also beneficial to list items because, in the event the airline loses your bag, you can account for everything and not have to go back a think about what you ended up packing for your trip.

My colleague who packs three or four days in advance mentioned that when he waits, he can feel his blood pressure go up and it sets the tone for the entire trip. He’s built his own lists on spreadsheets for business and leisure travel and pulls them out whenever he needs them. But, he’s done this over time so he’s a bit ahead of the game.

If you need a kick start, this is a great place to start — and it may help get your next trip off on the right foot. And don’t forget, we have other travel tools and resources that may be helpful for you as you plan for your next trip.

Maybe The Lounge Is The Way To Go

A friend of mine just documented what he had spent in airports on his last two trips. These trips originated at his home airport and each had a stop in between on the way to the destination — so there were a total of six opportunities to drop some money for food, drinks, newspapers, magazines and even some gifts and other things to make the trip more comfortable.

All told, he ended up spending around $40 per trip — a total of around $80. Considering that he flies around 10-15 times a year, this could end up costing him $800 to $1200 per year on what could be considered fairly benign items.

And most of the things he bought could be found in many airport lounges.

Yes, if you are traveling less frequently, dropping $30 – $40 per visit to an airline’s lounge doesn’t make much sense. But, when you consider that you could end up spending over $1000 over the span of many trips, joining an airline’s lounge may make better financial sense.

Let’s face it, most of what you spend your money on in an airport is food and drink. Most people don’t just get one coffee if they are enduring a 5 or 6 am flight. And that muffin and fruit comes at a premium. When you go to an airline’s lounge, not only are you treated to a bevy of food and drink options, you can sit, relax and not endure the hectic crowds (especially at hubs) before your flight. There is a big difference in state of mind when you can just unwind and breathe.

Plus, each airline has its own perks in their lounges. For example, if you’re taking an overnight flight from the West Coast to Newark, you can grab a shower at the Continental Airlines club. After some less-than-fitful sleep, this a great reward to freshen up.

If you are not a member of an airline’s lounge program, you may want to consider getting an American Express Platinum Card. You don’t have to pay the airline’s initiation fees and dues and, for certain airlines, you get the same perks and privileges.

So, if you travel quite a bit, consider going the lounge route. It could be the difference between “OK” travel and “great” travel. As always, we’re here to help answer any of your questions about this and other travel.

Some Thoughts On Winter Travel

As yet another winter storm heads towards Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, the rest of New Jersey and other points east, it never hurts to have a refresher on tips for traveling — especially around this time of year.

ASTA, the travel trade organization, gives us these tips for winter travel preparation:

Plan ahead. Waiting to the last minute always leaves a great deal of your trip up to happenstance. Contact your travel agent to book your vacation in advance as soon as you can manage. Then, you’ll be able to avoid peak travel dates, get lower airfare, fly direct (or minimize your connections) and fly early or late in the day to avoid the bigger crowds and delays.

Leave at least an extra hour earlier. Give yourself more time than usual in order to anticipate the peripheral delays that could occur. Remember to bring some reading material while you wait in the security line or at your departure gate. In cities with snow or ice, arrival delays can exceed two to three hours and de-icing procedures can take an hour before takeoff. Security procedures are being ramped up, so make sure you pack wisely and remember the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels in your carry-on luggage.

Steer clear of influenza. Winter travel can be a frequent contributor to the cold and flu season, adding a miserable element to your travel stress. Before you leave, visit your doctor’s office to get the flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine. Most germs will spread by contact, so wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer frequently.
Consider insurance. Many travel insurance policies cover trip delay and cancellations due to weather.

Here are a few others that we think are important:

Avoid cold-weather airports if possible. Yes, much easier said than done and what happens in Chicago, Newark, Atlanta or Minneapolis could affect travel all over the country. But, if you are traveling from coast-to-coast, you may want to consider getting direct, non-stop flights to and from your destination. It may cost a little bit more, but you’ll find it may be worth the expense.

Keep abreast of news. There’s been quite a bit of news about travel disruption and security will most likely continue to be a main focus of the TSA and airports around the world. Planning ahead is always a good idea but part of that preparation is knowing what’s happening in travel.

As always, if you have questions, you can get in contact with us. Also, you can look at our travel resources page that it filled with information that may be extremely helpful.

Passion Starts In The Air

Raj

by Raj Goyal

In the past few years, more and more travel professionals have decided to shy away from booking flights for their clients. This isn’t to say that they are not booking flights — but they are usually part of packages or cruises. What I’m talking about are “pure” flight bookings, where the client calls and says, “hey, I need a flight. Book it for me.”

More and more, consumers are headed directly to the airlines or other booking engines. That is certainly their choice but I’ve done this for many years. I have built decades-long relationships with airlines and clients. And I am the complete opposite of most travel pros out there. I LOVE booking flights. Always have, always will — and there are a few reasons that I will continue to happily book airline tickets for my clients.

First (as I mentioned), I am proud to have built strong, decades-long relationships with airlines. I know the ebbs and flows of the industry and can always find my clients the best value. I can get those low, low fares. Additionally, I have very strong relationships with flight consolidators. This is when you can start finding some of the most unbelievable flight options to just about anywhere around the world. In all likelihood, you won’t be finding these kinds of options and deals on a website — it takes a pro to get these kinds of opportunities to you.

Second, I have a strong “anything/anywhere” attitude for my clients. Whatever they need — anywhere in the world — I will find it for them. I am committed to my clients at every turn. I love a challenge and I have helped some of my clients with some highly complex and difficult air itineraries. I find these kinds of trips great fun to plan because I am fortunate to use my relationships and connections to make these trips a reality.

Third, I like giving my clients back some of their time. Many people think that a simple flight booking doesn’t take very long. If you actually add up the time it takes to research, plan and book, you may have wasted quite a bit of a time. In fact, it’s not unusual for people to spend up to 2 or 3 hours going back, forth and all over the place to get a “simple” flight booked.

And, if something happens to go wrong during the trip, all my client has to do is call. They’ve entrusted me with their flights and I’m happy to help make sure that it goes smoothly — even when there are a few bumps along the way.

Yes, we are a full-service agency. But, don’t forget that “full-service” also means the simple things, like booking air travel — and we always make sure that no matter what you book, you’ll always get first-class service.