Upgrade Your Travel Experience With These Simple Words
Whether at the airport or on a plane: Industry jargon revealed
As a longtime regular and standby airplane passenger I’ve traveled to many places and rushed through many airports (making it to quite a few impossible connections).
Regardless whether at the airport, on the plane or while talking to the customer service on the phone: Using the industry lingo often made my life as a traveler much easier.
In this article I am describing a few situations where you can use them, too. Try them out next time you are travelling!
Situation #1: Your flight has been cancelled
You are at the airport and got to know that your flight was cancelled. This is the ONE question you should ask to a gate agent, check-in staff or customer service:
“Can you please REPROTECT me on an alternative flight?”
Reprotect = Re-book at no additional cost.
Situation #2: Your flight has been cancelled and the next flight is full
This is the next question to ask if your flight was cancelled and you have been told that the following one is full:
“Any chance of WAITLISTING me on the following flight?”
This one is self explanatory. Read here what that means for you.
Situation #3: You’d like a better seat
You are at the airport and just realized that you didn’t book the seat you wanted.
Or alternatively, you just would like to switch your seat for a better one.
“My seat number is 12 CHARLIE. Can I get a better seat, please?”
CHARLIE = C in Nato Alphabet (Replace this with the letter of your seat)
Situation #4: You’d like an upgrade*
You are at the gate and feel particularly lucky. You might want to try asking this question:
“Any chance for an upgrade in PREMIUM CABIN if there are NO-SHOWS?” [SMILE]
Premium Cabin = Business Class.
No-shows = Passengers who did not board the aircraft
*Spoiler alert: Chances to get a free upgrade nowadays are really low!
Whether you’ll use these words to make your life easier or just to impress your friends -don’t forget to always add a “please” and smile when talking to airport staff and cabin crew. That’s the most effective (and often overlooked) secret!
About me:
As a passionate traveler and tourism professional I’ve experienced the world: From hiking the Andes to flying Business Class, from camping in Serengeti to staying in luxury resorts in Maldives.
In my career as a marketer I’ve driven brand collaborations, scaled up communities and websites and helped tourism companies reach international travelers.
Beating Jetlag is where my authentic experiences as a traveler and genuine curiosity as an industry insider come together for behind-the-scenes travel content and resources for marketers and creators.
For quick travel tips and hacks you can also follow me on Instagram or on Facebook.