If you have made a provisional booking, you're now at the critical stage of the booking process. Below are seven (7) points to consider before confirming your flight or package holiday:



1.Understanding jargon:

Get jargon explained and familiarise yourself with them for future reference. At this point you need to get clarification or you may find that the holiday on your itinerary bears no resemblance to the holiday you thought you were booking. Here’s an example of what can go wrong if unaware of jargon used:

[Jamie wanted a flight to Georgetown in Guyana (airport code GEO) but the agent booked a flight to George Town in the Bahamas (airport code GGT). After printing the itinerary, Jamie was asked to confirm the details before payment was taken and the ticket printed. Although Jamie wasn’t familiar with the three letter airport code he saw beside George Town, he didn’t ask the agent to explain. The error was not detected until three weeks later when he was at the check-in desk at the departing airport.]

2.Booking confirmation:

Information held under your provisional booking may not be correct and this is the last stage to get them changed (without incurring charges). Here is an example of what can go wrong:

[X, called his local travel agency to book his family of 4 a holiday on 20th December and coming back 04 January. Jon, the agent, scribbles the information on his note pad, as he receives it: ‘Mr. X …28/12-04/01… (Scribbling information as it is echoed) he then, established the maximum spend and contact details before ending the call.]

Jon did not repeat the information given to him by the client. One obvious error (should this booking be confirmed) would be the date of travel, resulting in a holiday being booked eight days later than the client requested.


3.Insurance:

You have checked out the agency by now and know that they are legally bonded, however, you and your family (if applicable) and personal belongings should also be protected. Too often we hear of missing luggage or holidays cut short because of illness and due to lack of insurance coverage, they have to fly home for treatment. This is where insurance comes in and can be very handy, should the worst happen

At the time of booking you’ll be offered the agency preferred insurer or you may at times be told that the booking includes travel insurance. This is sometimes the most expensive option and may not offer a cover, specific to your requirements. Explore your options and compare prices with the benefit on offer. Some other points to consider:


a) Check if you already have cover, based on using your credit or debit cards to purchase your holiday.

b) You can get insurance that covers you for specific types of holidays; for single or multiple journeys; individual or family cover.

c) Your bank, local post office and even some supermarkets are offering travel insurance. For more choice use the internet and explore your options.

d) If you are booking individual elements of your holiday yourself (D.I.Y), consider taking out insurance that will cover you against airline failure.


4.Discounts:

In the pre-booking stage, you would have checked out what discounts were available. Now that you are ready to book be certain to get your discount applied. Do not assume that because it is being advertised it will be automatically applied. Be specific and state which discount it is; where you saw it and what the offer code is (if you have one).


5.Payment:

Your deposit should be accompanied by an itinerary and an invoice. The invoice should also state the consequences, should you decide to cancel or amend your booking. If you are making a full payment you should be leaving the office with your travel documents or given a date by when your documents will arrive at your home address if booked over the phone or via the internet.


6.Exchange of contract:

Never sign a legally binding contract unless you have read and understood the fine print. If you are booking over the phone, get your agent to explain the contract, in terms that you can understand. That should include breaking down the cost so that you are aware of the charges included or excluded such as: tax, fuel, and service charges; decoding airline, accommodation and destination codes and other jargon. Your holiday agreement remains the same, regardless of how it is being booked and by whom.


7.Deadlines:

These are vital in the process of booking a holiday. If you have any deadline such as final payment or confirmation date, please make a note of them and adhere to them. Or it could prove quite costly and stressful to you.


© 2006 Janice S Ramkissoon