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!)
Airlines | Travel companies | Hotel companies
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)
