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How to talk to a human

Ever found it hard to speak to a human being when telephoning a company? Bored of listening to piped music and seemingly endless computer instructions?

The Cheapflights Team believes that very often, especially in the complex world of travel, we want to talk to a live human being. That is why we have compiled a Cheat Sheet to help you get to a real-live-person asap when calling a top travel company. (This was not our idea but copied from a similar list compiled by technology guru Paul English in the USA. Thought it would be helpful to have one this side of the Pond too!)

Top 20 Airlines:

Company / Business Phone Number / Website Steps to take to talk to a human
Aer Lingus 0871 718 5000 (10p/min) Press 2 then 1
Air Berlin 0871 500 0737 (10p/min) Put straight through
American Airlines 0844 499 7300 (5p/min) Put straight through
bmi 0844 4172 600 (5p/min) Hold through some information
British Airways 0844 493 0787 (5p/min) Hold and then wait to speak to an agent
easyJet 0330 365 5000 Hold and then wait to speak to an agent
Emirates Airlines 0844 800 2777 (5p/min) Put straight through
flybe 0871 700 2000 (10p/min plus network extras) Put straight through
Flythomascook.com 0844 879 8407
Jet2.com 0333 300 0042 (10p/min) or to make a new booking 0800 408 1350 Hold and then wait to speak to an agent
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines 0871 231 0000 (10p/min) Straight through to main switchboard
Monarch Airlines 0871 940 5040 (10p/min) Press 1 then hold
Ryanair 0871 246 0000 (10p/min) Press 4 then hold
Singapore Airlines 0844 800 2380 (5p/min) Press 2 then 2 then 2 or3
Thomson flights 0844 871 087 (5p/min) Hold and then wait to speak to an agent
Thomsonfly 0871 231 4787 (10p/min) Press 1 then hold
Virgin Atlantic 0844 874 7747 (5p/min) Put straight through

Top 20 Travel Companies:

Company / Business Phone Number / Website Steps to take to talk to a human
Argo 0844 756 4350 (5p/min)
Avios 0844 493 3366 (5p/min) Press 1 then choose your country
Cosmos 0843 227 1464
eBookers 020 3320 3320
Expedia/Hotels.com 0330 123 1235
First Choice 0844 871 1604 (5p/min)
Kuoni 0844 488 0428 (5p/min) They pick up straight away
Last Minute 0871 222 5938 (10p/min) Press 1 then choose relevant department
Libra Holidays 0871 226 0446 They pick up straight away
Netflights.com 0844 692 6792
Saga 0800 096 0074
STA Travel 0333 321 0099
The Holiday Place 020 7644 1770 They pick up straight away
Thomas Cook 0844 879 8407 (5p/min) Press 2 then 3 then 2
Thomson Holidays 0871 231 4691 (10p/min)
Trail Finders 020 7938 3939 They pick up straight away
Co-operative Travel 0844 879 8220

Top Hotel Companies:

Company / Business Phone Number / Website Steps to take to talk to a human
Accor International 0871 702 9469Parent Company forIbis Hotels & Novotel Put straight through
Best Western International 0800 393 130 Put straight through
Carlson Hospitality Worldwide 1 (763) 212-5000Parent Company for: Straight through to Main Switchboard
Radisson Hotels & Resorts0800 374411 Straight through
Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts0800 169 6128 Straight through
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson0800 973 217 Straight through
Park Inn0800 056 0591 Straight through
Comfort Inns 0800 444444Parent Company Choice Hotels Hold and get put through
Days Inn 08000280 400Part of Wyndham Hotel Group Straight through to the 1st available operator
De Vere Hotels 0871 222 4198
Hilton Hotels Corporation 0207 856 8000 Hold through short message, then put through
Holiday Inn 0871 423 4896 (10p/min)
Ibis Hotels 0871 663 0624Part of the Accor Group Short recorded message then operator
Inn Keepers Lodge 08451 551 551
Inter-Continental Hotel Group 0871 942 9292 (10p/mon)
MacDonald Hotels 0870 830 4812 Hold the line and they will pick up
Malmaison Hotels 0845 120 4991
Marriott International. Inc. 0800 1927 1927 Press 2 then hold
Moat House Hotels 01785 712217 Main Switchboard
Novotel 0871 663 0624Part of the Accor Group Put straight through
Premier Inn 0871 527 9222 (10p/min)
Quality Inns 0800 444444Parent Company Choice Hotels Hold and get put through
Radisson Hotels 0800 374411Part of Carlson Hospitality Hold and get put through
Ramada 08081000783Part of Wyndham Hotel Group Straight through to the 1st available operator
Regent International Hotels 0808 234 6686 Straight through to the 1st available operator
Supranational Hotels 02073570770 Straight through
Swallow 0843 050 7711
Thistle 0871 376 9099
Travelodge 0871 984 8484
Wyndham Worldwide
1 0800 466 1589 Parent Company for: Straight through to the 1st available operator (USA office hours)
Days Inn0800 0280 400 Straight through to the 1st available operator
Howard Johnson001 800 544 9881 Short recorded message then straight through to the 1st available operator
Knights Inn001 800 843 5644 Short recorded message then straight through to the 1st available operator.
Ramada Worldwide0808 234 6686 Straight through to the 1st available operator
Travelodge(US) 1-800-835-2424 Press 1 then hold
Wingate Inn001 800 449 3716 Straight through
Super 8 Motel001 800 454 3509 Straight through
Youth Hostels Association 01629 592 701 Press 4 then hold

(Featured image: Carlos ZGZ)

About the author

Oonagh ShielContent Manager at Cheapflights whose travel life can be best summed up as BC (before children) and PC (post children). We only travel during the school holidays so short-haul trips and staycations are our specialities!

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