Services that you should be receiving from Airfare Companies

Regardless of the type of fare, both promo fares and the normal airfare services being given is in general the same. Let us take a tour of the different services in general to know our rights and for us to know the extent of service we should be receiving to avoid hassles and possible confrontations with airline personnel. Let us go deepest in the delayed baggage policies section as this is the major reason for the said Claudine and Cebu Pacific crew incident.

Ticketing Services

All airfare companies should have hotlines to entertain clients for ticketing. There should be several branches of offices where people can book and pay for their tickets. For convenience, there are usually websites too for booking, reservations, and even payment. Depending on airline policies, cancellations and refunds will be allowed within the allowed time frame.

Baggage Allowed

Before we discuss the items allowed in baggage, let us take a look at prohibited items first. Generally speaking, items that are not properly packed will not be allowed, also items that will pose as dangers to the plane such as flammable items or explosives are extremely strictly prohibited. Items which are prohibited by laws such as drugs, unlicensed weapons such as sharp objects, firearms and ammunition’s are obviously not allowed. Live and dead animals, human or animal remains are of course not allowed too. But perishable items such as fish, meat, fruits are allowed but only if properly packed in a Hand Baggage.

Upon inspection and approval by the airline company, most items will be allowed. But of course there will always be limitations. Each airline company has their own sets of rules but in general, the allowable wait of baggage will be around 10-15 kilos. Hand carry is more or less 7 kilos per piece. Maximum allowable baggage size is around 62 inches of total length width and height, while for hand carry is roughly 45 inches.

Insurance

Most if not all airfare companies should be able to provide insurance for all areas of the whole travel experience. Some basic services or coverage should include trip cancellations and terminations, medical expense reimbursement, child protection, flight diversion, delayed or loss baggage, loss of personal documents or cash, flight delay, hijacking and among others, all with their own respective monetary limits of coverage. This is to make sure that passengers can have the option of absolute protection with reasonable rates.

On boarding/Departure/Arrival

In the Philippines, the NAIA terminals shall be available for us to check in ourselves together with our luggage in preparation to board the flight. If applicable, lounges that offer food and relaxation shall be made available while we wait. Baggage will then be allowed to be checked in along with us. Upon boarding, we should be welcomed and be directed to our assigned seats. During the travel, meals may or may not be served depending on the circumstances. During the flight, events like turbulence’s may happen and it is the very responsibility of the pilots to ensure that the plane and its passengers will all be safe, either by making a diversion or making a stop over at a different location. Upon arrival, baggage shall be returned to the passengers, and some airline companies may offer terminal to terminal transportation services and hotel transportation as well.

Delayed Flights

Due to uncontrollable events, not all scheduled flights are guaranteed. There will always be chances that the day and time of these flights might change due to certain factors. Once on board flight diversions or rerouting may be done if necessary due to safety or whatever reasons. In the event of a flight disruption, cancellation or delay, airline companies should be able to try its best, but not necessarily commit to place the passengers in the same or similar seats. Refunds may be given if the passengers paid for reservations and did not get the seat they wanted.

Excess and Delayed Baggage

For excess baggage in kilo, a passenger should pay a certain fee of around 150 PHP per kilo for domestic flights, and international flights requires around 400 PHP per kilo of excess. Again, each airline company has its own policies and fees.

Now, this is the highlight of the article, about delayed baggage. Airfare companies should have the option to carry our checked baggage at a much later flight due to certain safety reasons or circumstances. To site a specific example, in Cebu Pacific’s website Policy Clause 13.1.1 (f) states that:

“Whenever possible, Checked Baggage will be carried on the same aircraft as the Passenger. The Airline may decide for safety, security or operational reasons to carry it on another flight. If a Checked Baggage is carried on a subsequent flight, the Airline will deliver it to the Passenger unless applicable law requires the Passenger to be present for clearance by customs authorities.”

Also on Clause 16.1.1, it states that:

“In case of a lost or delayed Checked Baggage, the Passenger must advise the Airline right after his flight and before leaving the airport premises”

As seen, from the 2 clauses above, it is really the responsibility of both the airfare company and the passengers to take note of the baggage. Delayed baggage are inevitable and the airline company will not be held liable, and the passenger should wait for the baggage, and when they came in damaged state or late, he or she should notify airline personnel.

To wrap things up, despite all types of fares, airfare companies should be giving all the services. Whether it is the normal or promo rate, we all deserve to be given the absolute best of service. About the Claudine Cebu Pacific incident, the airfare company is not legally liable for the delay as their clauses clearly state that they have no fault or responsibility for the delay or misinforming about the delayed baggage. Ranting and making scenes will only make things worse so it will be wise to just inform airline personnel about whatever issues.

A good suggestion to avoid this incident is to ensure that airfare companies notify or announce to passengers about delayed baggage. A new policy to ensure this is done may give all passengers peace of mind so they will always know the location of their baggage and the possible time of their arrival. The Santiago’s claim that there are medicines in their baggage that they need desperately, well, it is high time that passengers consider getting medical flight insurance and also insurance for delayed baggage! To answer the question, yes, Cebu Pacific still delivered the right service, but a slight service if keeping passengers informed about delayed baggage will most certainly help.

This is a guest post from Nicole So. If you want your articles to be published in this travel blog please check the guidelines here.

AUTHOR BIO:

Nicole So is a freelance writer, regular runner and a former backpacker. Her hobbies are writing, photography and traveling. Follow her escapades in google+.

]]> http://letstravelphilippines.com/2012/05/22/airfare-companies-do-they-really-give-the-right-services/feed/ 0 http://letstravelphilippines.com/2010/08/12/cool-tips-for-hot-summer/ http://letstravelphilippines.com/2010/08/12/cool-tips-for-hot-summer/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:16:17 +0000 adminwil http://letstravelphilippines.com/?p=1363 Read more »]]> With summer at its peak, you’re most probably thinking of hitting the beach and basking under the sun. But before you indulge in such activities, first pay attention to this tips that might possibly help you keep cool under the hottest days of the year.

BURNING FACT

The ultraviolet (UV) rays are the invisible light from the sun that can burn out our skin and cause severe damage to the body. It has three kinds: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultra violet C (UVC). UVA rays cause minor sunburns, whereas UVB rays result to acute and obvious burns. Excessive exposure to the latter may lead to skin cancer. UVC rays brings about little consequence, as they are trapped by the atmosphere, hardly reaching the earth’s surface.As ultraviolet radiation penetrates the surface of your skin, cells several layers down increase melanin production ( melanin is the coloration of the skin ). The pigment, or the natural substance that gives color to the skin, then migrates to and darkens the uppermost layers. Your tan may appear two to three days after being expose to the sun, and it may last from several days to months. depending on the frequency of your exposure.

APPRAISING SUNSCREENS

Sunscreens work either by absorbing ultraviolet radiation or by physically blocking it from reaching your skin. But to really take advantage of the protection it offers, you have to know what suits you best. Find a sunscreen with increased protection against both UVA and UVB rays. A sun protection factors (SPF) of 15 or higher is recommended. But if you have a sensitive skin, a history of skin cancer, or if spend long periods outdoors, then you ought to buy a sunscreen with an SPF of 30. 

But isn’t it annoying to think that there are also businessmen out there who are just playing the game of business for some monkey and illegal acts? I guess, its too bad to think about all those things right? But maybe they also got there own reasons. Well, whatever it is still a genuine business will prevail and win in the end. Besides, if we will try to sum up everything we still could say that legal and profitable business are still in the arena of success.

Anyhow, have you guys been thinking to indulge into business industry too? or Do you already got a plan but you just don’t know what particular business that might be demandable in the society at large? Well, why not try to invest in precious metals or gold coins? I guess, this might probably suit your needs and the customer will absolutely avail this products. Besides, there’s nothing wrong of trying a business but of course you must be wise too ’cause it already involves money. Aside from that, you need to plan everything ahead of time before indulging into such business you want. So, if you think that if you will buy gold coins is the best business to start off then I bet, you have to visit now the site of United States Gold Bureau for they are the one who will provide you the best deals on golds.

Remember the key to a successful business cannot be seen in a single attempt and failure. It can be seen and measured according to risk and chances! Have a good luck on your business.

Why did people usually do that? As far as I knew, it might be the first and last visit they can have for the said place reason why they buy sovenirs and eventually took a lot of photos. What are the contributing factors that hinders everybody of doing so? Well, there are many of it but the most common is unavailability of time and money.

So, if anyone of you here got a chance to visit your dream place which you think might be the last one too then don’t forget to buy all the things you want, enjoy every second of the stay and take a lot of pictures ’cause in the coming years you’ll definitely enjoy watching your photos and souvenir items you brought during that particular vacation.

So, if you guys are one of those people who wanted to avail auto insurance online better visit the site now I’ve mention above and secure at them online. Rest assures that your car will be insured for life! With them, you’ll definitely owe what you wanted to have!