Ajith Prabhu’s Post

Pesky summer travel hiccups + what to do about them ➡️ Seat Swap Surprises So, you’ve checked in online and picked your seats, but then you get to the airport and... surprise! They’ve changed. What to Do: Head straight to the gate desk (not the ticketing counter). Gate agents are your best friends here—they can help fix the seating situation or find someone willing to switch seats. Lost or Delayed Luggage ➡️ Your bags are MIA What to do: Find the airline’s baggage desk near the baggage claim area and file a claim before you leave the airport. If you can’t locate the desk, call the airline ASAP to report your missing luggage. Hang on to those receipts for any essentials you need to buy—just keep it reasonable (no designer splurges, unfortunately). Then, when you’re back, file a claim with your travel insurance. If you got ➡️ Delayed and cancelled flights What to do: Check the Department of Transportation (DOT) Dashboard: If the delay is within the airline’s control, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard will show you what each airline should do to make it up to you. ➡️ Not Loving Your Hotel Room Your room’s not up to par? Here’s how to get it sorted What to do: Ask for the manager. Call from your room or go to the front desk and ask to speak to a manager. Be specific about the issues and honest about what resolution you’re seeking. ➡️ Rental Car Issues What to do: If your rental car isn’t what you expected, contact the rental company’s customer service. They might be able to upgrade or switch your vehicle. Always check the car for damage before driving off the lot and report any issues immediately. I hope you don't encounter any of these hiccups this summer but in case you do, use this as your quickstart guide to problem-solving. Enjoy these blissful summer days! #FlosConnection #Summer #TravelTip #Familyvacay #PassportReady

I first earned airline status at the age of 19. Today, more than 20 years since first earning top-tier status with an airline, I still have earned status with multiple airlines. Over this time, I've experienced first-hand most of the ups and downs that frequent flyers endure daily. I have flown so much that I've lost track of how many million miles it's been. Travelled up front, down the back... and in more middle seats than I care to think about. Slept on the airport floor and experienced the world's best first-class and VIP-only lounges. I've missed flights, flown hundreds of same-day returns, and flown long-haul chasing love. I've earned, retained and lost status many times over. Done status matches and status buy-backs. I've been upgraded to first class and downgraded to economy. Bumped from flights and stranded in foreign cities. I've had non-reclining seats, broken IFE and next to screaming infants for 12-hour flight... all on the same flight. I've received invites to VIP experiences airlines offer to their top customers, even ones on private jets with A-list celebrities. This is some of the stuff I've gone through as an elite status holder every year for the past two decades. I've experienced how amazing airlines can be when they get things right. I've experienced how poor airlines can be when they screw up. I believe that you don't really understand how frequent flyers think until you've flown a million miles in their shoes. This is the kind of real-world experience that inspired the creation of StatusMatch and other loyalty products that 15 major global airlines & hotel partners of ours use today. There was no reinventing the wheel with StatusMatch. Just using decades of innate understanding of how everything works, what people will pay for, what, how and pulling this all together from both a frequent flyer and an airline's perspective. Millions of travellers all over the world want the same thing I want -- a little less pain and a little more joy when they travel. The small things that mean a lot. These are folks that don't care about points and miles. But they'll do almost anything for status. Yet airlines are still trying to sell these people nonsense, like a car rental or hotel in the city where they live, an extra baggage allowance that elites never buy, or lounge access that is included with their status benefits. I think this is why our business is growing so fast. We know what the airline's most valuable customers want to buy and how much they will pay for stuff. This might sound like common sense to you and me—to sell stuff that people will buy—but to many airlines, it is a foreign concept. While I've had a status for the past 20 years, it only now feels like airlines are starting to wake up and understand that elite status is probably the most under-commercialised part of their business.

Raise your hand if you've ever had an #airline significantly change your itinerary, "accidentally" downgrade your seat after you paid for an upgrade, or took a long time getting your luggage to you... 🙌 ✈ As it happens, only a couple of weeks ago, I was checking the details on the return flight I booked for an upcoming vacation, and I noticed that our seat assignments looked the same but no longer had an icon that designated them as the upgraded seats I'd paid for when I booked the flight. I checked the seat map and saw that our seats were the same row/seat combo as originally booked but the equipment was different, and on the new plane, the same exact seats were regular ones (not the ones with extra leg room). I tried changing this on the app: 🚫 no luck. I tried changing this on the airline's website: 🚫 no luck. It took getting on a chat with an airline customer service representative to get it sorted. As the CSR explained it, when that airline swaps equipment, its software automatically tries to put you in the same seat but it doesn't check to see whether that row/seat number correspond to the same class of seat. Nice, huh? 😑 Thankfully, I spotted it early enough that we could fix things while the seat class we wanted was still available and (with the CSR's help) without having to pay twice for the upgrade. Otherwise, our only options would've been to pay AGAIN to get the upgrade or -- if the seats were no longer available when I discovered the problem -- eat cost of the upgrade. As it happens, the DOT's newly announced rule that would address this very situation (linked below) won't take effect until *after* our trip. But that doesn't mean I'm not excited about it! For those who haven't heard, the US Dept of Transportation has decided it's heard enough customer complaints about refunds related to significantly delayed flights, canceled flights, surprise new connections, mishandling of disabled passengers' needs, and wayward baggage--so the airlines will soon have to pay you IN CASH or back to the form of payment (e.g., credit card, miles account, etc.). Note that the new rules take effect at different times, running about 6-12 months from when the final rule is published in the Federal Register. I can imagine airlines are already nursing migraines from all the work this will cause them, but better #CustomerExperience is absolutely worth it. From the bottom of this frequent flyer's heart: Thanks, Secretary Pete! 😁 https://lnkd.in/dZiU6U6e #CX #AirlineCX #Airlines

Selecting the Ideal Airline Loyalty Scheme for Yourself https://ift.tt/r3Nkevm Selecting the Ideal Airline Loyalty Scheme for Yourself If you're the kind of person who loves to travel and has developed a close friendship with the local airport employees, you may want to enroll in an airline loyalty program in order to accrue incentives for your compulsive "can't stop, won't stop" travel. There may be advantages to participating. But how do you choose the airline or program that best suits your nomadic lifestyle when there are so many to choose from? Now let's find out more about the features you should consider while selecting the finest airline reward program. What are reward programs for airlines? Most airlines provide frequent flyer or airline loyalty programs, which are reward systems designed to give their most devoted customers incentives and privileges. These programs usually have a similar structure and are free to join. They allow you to accrue points or miles for flights made with the program's airline or its partner airlines. While staying at their partner hotels, you may also be able to accrue airline points or miles, depending on the airline program. Usually, you may exchange points or miles for future airline tickets if you've earned enough (based on the requirements of the loyalty program). Co-branded airline credit cards are often another way for you to earn extra rewards via various programs. Depending on your credit card program, this might mean that you can earn extra miles for purchases made in other expenditure categories. It offers a means of earning points. How to Pick Your Ideal Airline Loyalty Program It could seem difficult to choose the greatest airline reward program for you, but it doesn't have to be. As a matter of fact, believing your greatest selection can only need you to reflect on your travel preferences and pose some crucial questions to yourself. Do you only fly with one airline? Generally speaking, you may earn points without altering your travel patterns by selecting a program from an airline you fly with often. You are permitted to be a member of more than one program if you fly with many airlines or don't want to choose just one. But keep in mind that miles are often non-transferable. As a result, it's advisable to choose one or two programs that best suit your demands and adhere to them; after all, loyalty is practically required in this situation. Which airlines fly to and from your city? What airlines are accessible where you live may influence which airline reward program is ideal for you. There may be a small number of airlines servicing your region, or a large number, depending on your local airport. It can be wise to restrict your participation in reward programs to airlines that regularly operate in your region, unless you have immediate plans to relocate. Which perks are most important to you? It might be a good idea to compare the extra advantages provided by different airline...

Pesky summer travel hiccups + what to do about them ➡️ Seat Swap Surprises So, you’ve checked in online and picked your seats, but then you get to the airport and... surprise! They’ve changed. What to Do: Head straight to the gate desk (not the ticketing counter). Gate agents are your best friends here—they can help fix the seating situation or find someone willing to switch seats. Lost or Delayed Luggage ➡️ Your bags are MIA What to do: Find the airline’s baggage desk near the baggage claim area and file a claim before you leave the airport. If you can’t locate the desk, call the airline ASAP to report your missing luggage. Hang on to those receipts for any essentials you need to buy—just keep it reasonable (no designer splurges, unfortunately). Then, when you’re back, file a claim with your travel insurance. If you got ➡️ Delayed and cancelled flights What to do: Check the Department of Transportation (DOT) Dashboard: If the delay is within the airline’s control, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard will show you what each airline should do to make it up to you. ➡️ Not Loving Your Hotel Room Your room’s not up to par? Here’s how to get it sorted What to do: Ask for the manager. Call from your room or go to the front desk and ask to speak to a manager. Be specific about the issues and honest about what resolution you’re seeking. ➡️ Rental Car Issues What to do: If your rental car isn’t what you expected, contact the rental company’s customer service. They might be able to upgrade or switch your vehicle. Always check the car for damage before driving off the lot and report any issues immediately. I/we hope you don't encounter any of these hiccups this summer but in case you do, use this as your quickstart guide to problem-solving. Enjoy these blissful summer days! #VacationPlanning #TravelAgent

Airline Travel Advisory The more notice you have about a flight disruption, the more time you will have to adjust your plans. So, you’ll want to stay ahead of the curve and find out about flight disruptions as soon as they are announced. One way to find out about potential delays or cancellations quickly is to download your airline’s app. “We encourage all passengers to download their carrier’s app as soon as they purchase a ticket. U.S. airlines have made significant investments in their mobile apps so they can relay any flight updates such as boarding times, gate numbers, and any other important announcements,” Airlines for America, an organization that represents all of the major U.S. carriers, tells Afar. - AFAR Magazine This is a very true statement and sage advice from AFAR Magazine. I am an American Airlines Advantage member. I make sure my American Airlines member number is included in all flight reservations when booking directly or on a third-party website such as Booking.com or Expedia.com. I am pleased with the updates and messages from American. This is especially true when booking a connecting flight in Brazil. GOL Airlines is a partner with American Airlines, the notification system works when there is an (AA) flight number for the Brazilian domestic connections. IMPORTANT NOTE. If you book a flight with a third-party website in Brazil for a domestic flight with a Brazilian Airline, (example Salvador to Sao Paulo with GOL) you must check the GOL website frequently or sign up for the airlines' frequent flier program to receive direct notifications. There tends to be last minute changes of the gate assignments at the Brazilian airports for Brazilian domestic flights, so arrive early and stay diligent on the changes on the departure boards. Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to protect your financial investment. Contact me if you have any questions. #travelplanning #airlines #travelinsurance #travelnotifications #summertraveladvisory

If a guest's luggage has been missed by the airline, offer assistance by doing the following: 1. Express Empathy: Apologize for the inconvenience and express understanding of their situation. 2. Contact the Airline: Assist the guest in contacting the airline immediately to report the missing luggage. Provide them with the airline's contact information and offer to make the call on their behalf if they prefer. 3. Provide Essentials: Offer the guest any immediate essentials they might need, such as toiletries or a change of clothes. Some hotels may also offer basic amenities like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and combs. 4. Offer Information: Share information about the airline's lost luggage process and inquire if the guest has travel insurance that might cover the situation. 5. Stay Informed: Keep the guest informed about any updates from the airline regarding their luggage. Offer to follow up with the airline on their behalf. 6. Assist with Documentation: If needed, help the guest document the contents of their missing luggage for any potential claims. 7. Provide Support: Reassure the guest that you are there to assist them throughout the process and address any concerns they may have. Remember, your goal is to make the guest feel supported during a challenging situation and help facilitate the resolution of the issue with the airline. #CustomerServiceExcellence #TravelAssistance #GuestSupport #EmpathyInService #AirlineCollaboration #HotelHospitality #LostLuggageSupport #GuestExperience #TravelInsuranceHelp #ServiceBeyondExpectations

I hate to say it but the airline industry's business model is the thin edge of the wedge that removed hospitality & people-focused service from... well, the service industry. They did it to themselves. Number-crunching, six-sigma 'ninja', yield management folks have, and continue to, find new ways to muck up & exacerbate issues in the travel delivery system. And this mess currently at hand is a direct result of misguided decisions which have removed how people travel from the travel system.   Look at the comment in this CBC article: "Airline industry insiders say passengers have become carried away with carry-on baggage, leading to costly delays". But why?   Because airlines encouraged & incentivized this new behavior. It was their business model.   A while back, when a customer bought an airline ticket, they could select a seat, check their suitcase, & board with only a small personal item. All of this was included in the ticket price. Not for nothings, but planes were built so that people travelled in the cabin & cargo was in the hold. Each section had a singular purpose.   But then, costs started to rise.   Management believed customers would flee if prices rose. So, a clever & creative person behind a screen started segmenting prices. Checked bags required employees to collect, sort, stow, & return them, so they had a cost. This was pushed to the customer as a service fee. Don’t want to pay? You learned to pack better, carry it on, & stow it yourself.   The airlines spun this new revenue source as “consumer choice”, but it was just a marketing ploy used to distract from ever growing after-price fees & levies. Logistically, luggage was designed for the hold. Now, it was being relocated to the cabin. Customers were taught to do it too, bringing bags to a place never designed for it. And this became a problem.   Humans learn. Give us parameters & incentives and it is amazing how quickly our behavior gets modified. Airlines presented customers with new rules. If customers wanted to avoid extra fees & have confidence their bags would actually arrive at their destination, they learned to bring their bags into the cabin.   This is strategic gameplay, when a person makes thoughtful, deliberate decisions to optimize the likelihood of success, while staying within the game's rules. Airline customers learned how to play the game to their advantage.   If you've flown recently, you've seen the Tetris game played in overhead bins & under seats. The announcements explaining a flight is full & bins cannot handle the expected volume of bags. That some customers must volunteer bags for gate-check, or the flight will be delayed.   This happened because most airlines put spreadsheets, false efficiencies, & revenue above people. Above how people move, travel, & the needs of a smooth service delivery.   Getting all those bags crammed into the cabin might be a real monster, but those who designed this model could possible be from the Frankenstein lineage.