Travel Tips: Telephone Cheat Sheet

Telephone Cheat Sheet

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!)

Leading Airlines:

Company / Business	Phone Number / Website	Steps to take to talk to a human	How to make a complaint
Aer Lingus	0870 876 5000 / flyaerlingus.com	Press 2 then 2 again	In writing or by fax (00353 1 886 3932) to Customer Care
Air Berlin	0870 738 8880 / airberlin.com	You’re put straight through	By email to customer@airberlin.com
Air France	0870 142 4343 / airfrance.co.uk	Follow the options given	By telephone: 0870 142 4343
American Airlines	08457 789 789 / aa.com	Stay on line and you will get through	By mail or by email form on Customer Service page
bmi	0870 607 0555 / flybmi.com	Hold through some information	By telephone: 01332 854321, fax: 01332 854875, or mail to bmi's HQ in Derby
bmibaby	0871 224 0224 / bmibaby.com	Press 1 and they pick up after some recorded info	By mail to bmibaby’s HQ in Derby
British Airways	0870 850 9850 / britishairways.com Calls charged at national call rate.	Hold and then wait to speak to an agent	By telephone: 0870 850 9 850 or mail to BA offices in Suffolk or online form on ba.com ba.com
easyJet	0905 821 0905 / easyjet.co.uk Calls cost 65p per minute, can only be used for making a new booking if flight departs within next two weeks.	Dial number, listen to recorded message, just hold and wait for the agent to pick up	Telephone Customer Services department on 0871 244 2366 (calls cost 10p per minute; calls from mobiles and other networks may cost more)
Emirates Airlines	0870 243 2222 / emirates.com	1 and 3 to speak to an agent, for making Economy-Class bookings
XL.com (Excel Airways)	0870 998 9898 / xl.com	Dial 3 for customer services	By post to Customer Relations Department in Crawley, West Sussex
flybe	09062 090 005 / flybe.com Calls cost £1.00 per minute	Just ring they put you straight through	by telephone 0871 522 6152, fax 01392 366151, email or post to Customer Relations Department in Exeter
flyglobespan	0870 556 1522 / flyglobespan.com	Press 2 then 2	Online using Customer Relations form form
Flythomascook.com	0870 758 0205 / flythomascook.com	Press 6	By post to Customer Relations Department in Manchester or by email
Jet2.com	08712 261 737 / jet2.com to make or change a booking; 0906 302 0660 for other enquiries. Calls cost 50p a minute.	Hold to be transferred to booking line	By post only to PO Box 6190, Christchurch, BH23 9AY
KLM	0870 507 4074 / klm.com	Follow the options given	By telephone 08708 500 747 Press 6, fax 08708 500 767, internet: www.klm.com : Options Travel Information > Customer Support > Contact Us > Customer Care. Post: PO Box 47, Feltham, Middlesex, TW14 9XY
Monarch Airlines	01582 556 332 / flymonarch.com	Press 1	By telephone: 01582 400000
Ryanair	0871 246 0000 / ryanair.com Calls cost 10p per minute	Hold to speak to an operator	By mail to Customer Services Department at Ryanair HQ, Dublin Airport or by fax: +353 1 8121230
Singapore Airlines	0844 800 2380 / singaporeair.com	Call is answered by 1st available operator	Via the Contact Us page on the website or by email
Thomson flights	0800 107 1517 / thomsonfly.com	Put straight through	Via the website or by mail to Customer Support Department, Coventry
Thomsonfly	0870 190 0737 / thomsonfly.com	Press 5 then hold	Via the website or by mail to Customer Support Department, Coventry
Virgin Atlantic	01293 562 345 / virgin-atlantic.com	Put straight through	by email via the website or telephone

Leading Travel Companies:

Company / Business	Phone Number / Website	Steps to take to talk to a human	How to make a complaint
Airline Network	0870 700 0543 / airlinenetwork.co.uk	Listen to options for different destinations (eg 5 for European flights) then hold.	Via the website or by telephone 0871 700 1777 (30p per minute landline)
Air Miles	0870 557 7722 / airmiles.co.uk	Press 3 then wait till they pick up	By email or in writing to the Customer Relations Department in Warrington
Argo	0870 460 7000 / argo-holidays.com	Press 1 then 2	By telephone: 0870 066 7097, fax: 0870 990 8014 or email
Carnival Cruises	02380 534 200 / carnival.com	Press 2 then wait	Via the website
Cosmos	0870 443 5285 / cosmos.co.uk	Press 3 then 4 or stay on line	On holiday, complete a Report Form, tell the supplier or write to Cosmos
eBookers	0870 162 4066 / ebookers.co.uk	Press 1, then select destination	Via the website
Expedia/Hotels.com	0870 050 0808 / expedia.co.uk	Press 1 then 4	By telephone: 0871 226 0808, fax: 028 90 502113 or in writing to Customer Relations in Belfast
First Choice	0870 850 3999 / firstchoice.co.uk	Press 2 then 1 then 4	Via the website or in writing to Customer Services, Manchester
Freedom Flights	0870 163 3000 / freedomflights.co.uk	Press 2 for new bookings	By email via the website
Inghams Travel	020 8780 4400/ inghams.co.uk	Press 0	By email
Kosmar Holidays	0871 700 0747 / kosmar.co.uk	Press 8 then wait
Kuoni	020 758 98959 / kuoni.co.uk	They pick up straight away.	In writing to Customer Services, Surrey or by email
Last Minute	0871 222 3200 / lastminute.com	Say yes then wait	Email or in writing to Customer Relations Department in Surrey
Libra Holidays	0871 226 0446 / libraholidays.co.uk	They pick up straight away	call 0871 226 0446
My Travel	0870 2415 333 / mytravel.co.uk	Press 0	On holiday, tell the rep, complete a Report Form, or write to My Travel
Saga	0130 377 1111 / saga.co.uk	You will be put through to the switch board and make your enquiries from there.	Via the website or in writing to Saga Holidays Ltd.
STA Travel	0871 468 0666 / statravel.co.uk	Press 2 then 3 and hold.	Via the website, depends on how customer purchased travel
The Holiday Place	0207 644 7070 / www.theholidayplace.com	They pick up straight away.	Via the website
Thomas Cook	0870 750 5711 / thomascook.co.uk	Follow the instructions, or press 1 then 2 then 6	By email or mail to Thomas Cook Customer Relations in Bradford
Thomson Direct	0870 550 2046 / Thomson.co.uk	Call may be picked up straight away by operator, if defaults to recorded message press 2	In writing to Thomson Holidays in Luton
Trail Finders	020 793 71234 / trailfinders.com	They pick up straight away.	Call local travel centre
Travel Care	0870 906 5813 / travelcare.co.uk	Press 2 and 2	Call 0870 428 4130 or write to the Customer Services Department in Stockport

Leading Hotel Companies:

Company / Business	Phone Number / Website	Steps to take to talk to a human	How to make a complaint
Accor International	0870 609 0961 Parent Company for Ibis Hotels & Novotel	Short recorded message then operator	By phone or via the website
Best Western International	0800 393 130 / bestwestern.com	Short recorded message then operator	By phone or via the website
Carlson Hospitality Worldwide	001 402 501 5000 / carlson.com Parent Company for:	Straight through to Main Switchboard
	Regent International Hotels 001 310 275 5200 / regenthotels.com	Straight through	By phone or via website
	Radisson Hotels & Resorts 00353 1706 0200 / Radisson.com	Stay on line to speak to operator	By phone or via website
	Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts 00353 1706 0200  / parkplaza.com	Stay on line to speak to operator	By phone or via website
	Country Inns & Suites By Carlson 00353 1706 0269 / countryinns.com	Straight through	By phone or via website
	Park Inn 00353 1706 0200 / parkinn.com	Stay on line to speak to operator	By phone or via website
Cendant Corporation	001 800 854 7854 / cendant.com Parent Company for:
	Wyndham Worldwide 001 972 915 7070 / wyndham.com phones will only be answered during USA office hours	Straight through to the 1st available operator.	By phone or via website
	Days Inn 0800 0280 400 / daysinn.com	Straight through to the 1st available operator	By phone or via website
	Howard Johnson 001 800 854 7854 / hojo.com	Short recorded message to advise call is not toll free then straight through to the 1st available operator	By phone or via website
	Knights Inn 001 800 843 5644 / knightsinn.com	Short recorded message to advise call is not toll free then straight through to the 1st available operator.	By phone or via website
	Ramada Worldwide 0808 100 0783 / ramada.co.uk	Straight through to the 1st available operator	By phone or via website
	Travelodge 0870 085 0950 /travelodge.co.uk	Press 1 and say “no” to be put through to an operator	By phone or via website
	Wingate Inn 001 800 228 1000 / wingateinns.com	Short recorded message to advise call is not toll free then straight through to the 1st available operator.	By phone or via website
	Super 8 Motel 001 800 800 8000 / super8.com	Short recorded message to advise call is not toll free then straight through to the 1st available operator.	By phone or via website
Comfort Inns	0800 444444 / choicehotels.com Parent Company Supranational Hotels	You’re put straight through	By phone or via website
De Vere Hotels	01928 712111 / www.devereonline.co.uk/	Main Switchboard	By phone or via website
Hilton Hotels Corporation	0870 590 9090	Hold through short message, then put through	By phone or via website
Holiday Inn	0800 40 50 60 / www.ichotelsgroup.co.uk	Press 2 or just hold	By phone or via website
Ibis Hotels	0870 609 0961/ www.ibishotel.com Part of the Accor Group	Short recorded message then operator	By phone. Group has a 15-minute satisfaction contract
Inn Keepers Lodge	0870 243 0500 / www.innkeeperslodge.com	Straight through to the 1 st available operator	By phone or via website
Inter-Continental Hotel Group	08000289387/ ichotelsgroup.com	You’re put straight through	By phone or via website
MacDonald Hotels	870 830 4812  / www.macdonald-hotels.co.uk	Press 3 for an operator	By phone (0845 120 4991) or by email
Malmaison Hotels	845 365 4247 / www.malmaison.com	Straight through to the 1st available operator	By phone or via website
Marriott International. Inc.	0800221222 / www.marriott.co.uk	Hold the line and they will pick up	By phone or via website
Moat House Hotels	01708 730 522 / www.moathousehotels.com/	Main Switchboard	By phone or by email
Novotel	0870 609 0961 / www.novotel.com Part of the Accor Group	Short recorded message then operator	Via contact section on website
Premier Travel Inn	0870 242 8000 / premiertravelinn.com	Automated message, just hold the line and will default to operator	By phone or via website
Quality Inns	0800 444444 / snrhotels.com Parent Company Supranational Hotels	Hold and get put through	By phone or via website, using the eComment form
Radisson Hotels	00353 1706 0200 / Radisson.com Part of Carlson Hospitality	You’re put straight through	By phone or via website (email form) or in writing to Customer Service
Ramada	08081000783 / ramada.co.uk Part of Cendant Corporation	Straight through to the 1st available operator	By phone or via website
Supranational Hotels	02073570770 / snrhotels.com Parent Company for: Comfort Inns & Quality Inns	You’re put straight through	By phone or by email
Swallow	0870 600 4666 / www.swallow-hotels.com	You’re put straight through	Call local travel centre
Thistle	0800 181 716 / www.thistlehotels.com	Hold the line and they will pick up	By phone or via website form
Wyndham International. Inc.	001 800 9963 426 / wyndham.com	Short recorded message to advise call is not toll free then straight through to the 1 st available operator	By phone or via website
Youth Hostels Association	0870 770 8868 / www.yha.org.uk	Press *, then press 4	By phone, fax (0870 770 6127) or email
Updated February 2008