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Hi all!!
Working in a travel centre, we've had lots of fun times, during hurricanes, the problems in Bangkok a few months ago, things like that. All beyond our control, of course.
And now we have the swine flu (which has impacted my vacation as well *$%&^!!). May rules have gone into effect with different airlines and tour operators and we have our own specific rules for packages booked through us. However, for flights, we must abide by the airlines rules, we have no way around them, beyond waiving our own penalties, which we are doing without even being asked, and our package change rules are pretty sweet - there is no change fee, all travel agents still retain their commission, they only have to pay if there is an increase in the total fare, or they can just cancel for a full refund (some companies aren't doing this at all)
I've recieved so many calls today from agents demanding (not asking) that we waive airline rules (umm, my company has no control over that, sorry!) or, and I'm not kidding, that we make the airline fly to Mexico, because they absolutely MUST be there.
Ummm, OK, you want to risk getting sick? Sure, not a problem (I was contemplating still travelling myself, until that decision was taken out of my hands by the airline cancelling my flights, and I think the media is making this into more of a panic situation than it really is) but what makes you think a little old call centre peon like me has the ability to make an airline head honcho change their mind about flying into a country that has a travel warning on it? Waaaay beyond my capabilities, sorry!!
Anyone else in the industry have any fun stories stemming from this outbreak?
Working in a travel centre, we've had lots of fun times, during hurricanes, the problems in Bangkok a few months ago, things like that. All beyond our control, of course.
And now we have the swine flu (which has impacted my vacation as well *$%&^!!). May rules have gone into effect with different airlines and tour operators and we have our own specific rules for packages booked through us. However, for flights, we must abide by the airlines rules, we have no way around them, beyond waiving our own penalties, which we are doing without even being asked, and our package change rules are pretty sweet - there is no change fee, all travel agents still retain their commission, they only have to pay if there is an increase in the total fare, or they can just cancel for a full refund (some companies aren't doing this at all)
I've recieved so many calls today from agents demanding (not asking) that we waive airline rules (umm, my company has no control over that, sorry!) or, and I'm not kidding, that we make the airline fly to Mexico, because they absolutely MUST be there.
Ummm, OK, you want to risk getting sick? Sure, not a problem (I was contemplating still travelling myself, until that decision was taken out of my hands by the airline cancelling my flights, and I think the media is making this into more of a panic situation than it really is) but what makes you think a little old call centre peon like me has the ability to make an airline head honcho change their mind about flying into a country that has a travel warning on it? Waaaay beyond my capabilities, sorry!!
Anyone else in the industry have any fun stories stemming from this outbreak?
- a - thon......
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