Holy Volcano- again!

It seemed like April 2010 all over again when another Iceland Volcano blew its' top this past week. Panic set in for many travelling in Europe. Last year, airspace was shotdown for 5 days- this time it looked like deja vu all over again! During the past year, millions of displaced travelers spent fruitless hours on hold with airline call centers endeavouring to find their way back home. Millions of others, who had booked their reservations through travel agents, were rebooked in a timely manner. Travel agents, most of whom are paid nothing by the airlines for their efforts, worked around the clock to assist their customers. A form of travel insurance and a simple time saving relationship that pays off big time when the world seems like it is coming to an end!

The Most Common Travel Complaints

Airlines top the list of complaint sources. Most travelers are frustrated by cancellations, changes, and flight delays and the lack of communication and advanced warning of same. Travelers are not happy with leg room and the size of seats in economy class. Travel suppliers in general, and airlines in particular, are great at adding extra or ancillary charges. Fees for bags, seat selection, food, drinks, credit card surcharges and more. Tour operators usually charge extra for single travelers. Many hotels charge for Internet access. What to do? Complain! Complain to the employee you are speaking; if possible complain to management on duty; and then send an e-mail or letter to corporate headquarters.

An unclean hotel room is unacceptable. An in-flight smelly toilet is not good enough. The list goes on but too many paying customers just put up with it. Don't. Ask for a different hotel room. Tell the airline counter agent that the airline needs more food choice on board. It really doesn't take many voices and negative opinions to get things fixed and changed (especially in the sensitive travel business).