With so many things to remember about air travel, passengers often end up getting confused. To make matters worse, airlines often keep changing their policies. This can be very daunting for someone who isn’t very aware about them. From baggage to cancellations, there is a lot of information you need to contain in your head when it comes to air travel.
Surprising to many, air passengers have rights as well. It’s very important for you as an air traveler to know about these so that you can question them from time to time.
There is one important thing that every air passenger must know. Before you book, you must know your rights. Most of the travelers end up learning the hard way once they arrive at the airport. This is because many of us do not understand the value of the fine print until we end up facing a misery. Before you make your bookings, it’s important to study your rights in detail because things may not happen as expected. This gives you a huge peace of mind that if something goes wrong, you still know what your way out of the situation.
Lock Your Air Fare in Advance
Most of the travelers do not even know they can lock in the fare in advance. As long as you are booking straight through the airline without involving any third party, you can avail this advantage.
Now why do you even need it? The problem is, fares get updated too soon and you might end up getting a better deal from the one you’ve booked. Since it might be risky to miss out on a deal you dearly desire for, you have the option to book it for 24 hours. You don’t have to make a payment at that point.
This can be done when you call the airline and request them to lock the fare for you.
The Right Fares
All American and European passengers enjoy this right. In a world where everything we pay for has hidden costs, air passengers have the right to see an airfare that is honest.
The law demands airlines to display the complete cost of the air ticket. These include all hidden charges and taxes as well. The law is extended to the travel agent websites as well!
When You Check-In
Many travelers end up placing themselves in an awkward position because they don’t know about this. If you’re prompt at checking in at the airport with the entire luggage settled, things aren’t quiet over as yet. You’re given a specific time within which you have to appear at the departure gates. If you fail to do so, the airline has a right to be cancelling your reservation.
A lot of passengers think they can still get away with this because they have already booked their seat. Sadly, the airline has the right to give your seat to a passenger who has made it in time. Know your timings well!
Reservations
Airline reservation policies are often very confusing. Here’s one very important thing you must learn. You might experience a situation where you have your reservation number at the airport but the airline has no clue of it in their data base. In situations like these, the airline has every reason to let you board even if they can’t find any evidence in their systems. You do not have to worry about it as long as your reservation was confirmed by the airline. You can carry your ticket or reservation number to the airport as a proof.
Lost Baggage
If there is nothing else you wish to know, this is probably a subject that will fascinate every traveler. Among the traveler’s right in air travel, baggage is also a very important topic.
If you arrive at the airport without your luggage, this is often a very miserable start to the journey. This is because at times it often takes very long to locate the luggage. In many cases, you end up losing it altogether. In situations like these, you must know what your rights as a passenger are so that it’s easier taking an action.
Once you can prove that your luggage hasn’t arrive with you at the airport that is the moment you need to get moving. You’ll have to file a claim to the airline at the airport.
The airline mostly is required to pay you a reasonable expense to cover for the time your baggage reaches you. The expense mostly depends upon how well you rest your case. This is because lost baggage isn’t uncommon and a lot of travelers have to face this misery.
Once you discover that your baggage is lost, you’d have to file another claim. Although it takes longer, you’ll eventually get the compensation!
