
Is there another flight to your destination at a time that works for you? If you can no longer stay at your hotel, did you find something nearby from the same brand? In addition to the options presented in the email, search online to see what else is available. If you receive an email saying that there was a change to your trip (or if you decide you want to make a change), the best thing to do is understand the change clearly and then see what your options are. Contacting the airline or hotel directly will likely end with you being told to contact the portal's customer service team. It's worth knowing that you will need to deal with the online travel agency for any changes before your trip. Depending on how drastically your trip is affected, you should receive options for alternate flights or accommodation, or possibly an option to cancel altogether for a refund.īefore your trip and checking in online, the OTA still owns your reservation. The first set of issues you might encounter is a schedule change or cancellation before you depart. A trip change or cancellation before travel This includes asking American Express, Capital One, Chase and Citi what people should do if there are problems with bookings made in their portals. Our goal is to help you navigate changes and cancellations to your trip and problems with any related claims when something goes wrong.

4 reasons to consider booking your next hotel stay through an online travel agencyįor today's purposes, let's assume you already have a reservation made through an OTA.6 reasons to avoid booking through an online travel agency.Why this reader says he’ll avoid booking through OTAs from now on.These cancellation horror stories show why you should think twice before booking through an OTA.9 things to consider when choosing to book via a portal vs.The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. When you book a flight directly with an airline or a hotel, you know who to talk to if your trip is canceled or delayed. What is an online travel agent/online travel agency?īefore we start, I want to ensure we're all talking about the same thing. Here are our best tips to get your trip back on track and help you move claims forward if you need to submit one. If you have problems with a booking made with an online travel agent (OTA) or a claim related to your credit card's benefits, what should you expect during this process of delays or cancellations? Also, if things aren't working, what can you do to improve the situation when it's impossible to contact the online travel agency where you originally made your booking? The flight was canceled, so the airline told me to contact the portal and the portal told me to contact the airline.

They usually read something like this: "I booked a trip through my credit card's online travel portal. We receive emails regularly asking for help. Unfortunately, that can be easier said than done. Also, if you're traveling through regions with snow, the chances of weather affecting your travel add a layer of uncertainty.Īlong with bringing extra patience when traveling, knowing what to do if something goes wrong can also help you find a solution.

The holiday season usually brings flight delays and cancellations.
