BURNABY, BC, April 15 /CNW/ - From terminal 5 chaos at Heathrow to
violence in Oaxaca City, today's globe trotter can encounter a myriad of
emergencies, often complicated by language barriers. That's why starting
today, BCAA Travel is offering customers a new 24-hour traveller's helpline
service, putting them in toll-free touch with professional travel assistance,
anytime, anywhere in the world.
Some predicaments that BCAA's new service can counsel customers on
include:- You're in the centre of a civil unrest or natural disaster. In the
event of a disaster, pay close attention to your personal security
and monitor media for updates on the situation. Keep a low profile,
avoid protests and large gatherings and maintain contact with your
family to inform them of your situation. Canadians are encouraged to
sign-up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) service to
be contacted and assisted by government officials during an
emergency.
- There's no record of your reservation. Arrive at the hotel or the
car-rental counter with a confirmation number and a printout of your
reservation. If there's no evidence of your booking, think about how
it was made - third party or in a spouse's name - and ask the front
desk clerk to search again. If nothing turns up and you've booked
through BCAA Travel, call BCAA's 24-hour traveller's helpline for
assistance. Confirming reservations and special request a few days
before arrival (late arrival, non-smoking room, car seat), can help
prevent mishaps.
- Your flight has been cancelled. The airline is responsible for
getting passengers on its next departure with open seats. Waiting at
the airport counter isn't the only option - calling BCAA's 24-hour
traveller's helpline may be a quicker way to rebook.
- You've lost your passport. Notify your consulate immediately and
local police department in case your passport is handed in. To
replace your passport, you will need to establish your identity. One
idea is to make digital copies of your driver's license, passport,
visas, insurance policy and credit card and e-mail the files to an
account you can access through the web. Also leave paper copies with
a family member.
- Your luggage is damaged or lost. If luggage is destroyed or lost, you
must list all the items inside to get reimbursed. When delays occur,
airlines may advance passengers cash or reimburse them for necessary
items, such as toiletries and a change of clothes. Ask how to proceed
before leaving the airport as you'll need to fill out forms and keep
receipts. Always label your bags clearly.
- You've been a victim of crime. If you have been assaulted, robbed or
threatened with violence, contact local authorities immediately. At
the same time, you should report the matter to the nearest Canadian
government office abroad.
- You're really sick. At this point in time you'll realize the value of
travel medical insurance, as quality international health care comes
with an international price tag. Trip cancellation or trip
interruption insurance will compensate you for lost monies if you're
too sick to begin your travels or need to return home unexpectedly.
If you don't have coverage and are critically injured, the nearest
Canadian government office abroad can arrange medical evacuation and
support, at your expense.Travel emergencies do happen - and sometimes, it takes more than a
band-aid to make things better. BCAA's 24-Hour Traveller's Helpline will be a
saving grace for troubled travellers wanting immediate access to a friendly
travel advisor. Customer service representatives contracted by BCAA on behalf
of its customers will answer and manage calls.
"We not only want to help our customers before their trip, but during and
after as well," says BCAA Travel Services Director, Dale Urquhart.
"Obviously we want to mitigate any foreseen problems before they go, but
sometimes travel plans don't always work out perfectly. That's where BCAA's
24-hour Traveller's Helpline can make a real difference - it gives travellers'
the tools to nip the problem in the bud before it completely destroys their
holiday."
An extensive advertising campaign will support the launch of the new
helpline, including two fresh and funny TV commercials. To view the ads and
other supporting press materials, refer to the following FTP link:
ftp://ftp.bcaa.com/media/24-7%20Helpline/
About BCAA Travel: BCAA Travel is one of the largest travel agencies in
B.C. and boasts the most qualified travel professionals in the industry. All
BCAA travel consultants are required to be certified members of the Canadian
Institute of Travel Counsellors, the highest level of professional achievement
in the Canadian travel industry. BCAA backs its travel advice with the
Anytime, Anywhere Travel Guarantee. BCAA also offers travel planning tools
such as TripTik(R) routing maps & TourBook(R) guides.
Samples of the ads and photos can be found at:
ftp://ftp.bcaa.com/media/24-7%20Helpline/
For further information: or to request an interview with BCAA Travel
Services Director, Dale Urquhart, please contact: Jennifer Timm, BCAA Media
Relations Advisor, Tel: (604) 268-5342, Cell: (778) 228-8859, Email:
jennifer.timm@bcaa.com
