This is what I learned:
1. Always get the name, employee number (or phone number with correct extension) as well as the position of the person with whom you are speaking.
2. Ask for the details of any offers in writing. Make sure you go over the cancellation and refund policies as well as any blackout dates. If they won’t give you the information or confirm the above, do yourself a favor and forget it!
3. Ask for an e-mail or fax confirmation. If they refer you to the website, read the fine print before you book.
4. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Call back to confirm the details of the offer, but ask to speak with a supervisor or better yet a manager. Confirm the fine print of the offer with them, always getting the person’s contact information.
6. It is not always easy to get through to management. The reservation-police answering can be difficult but insist. The person answering the phone will probably say, “Maybe I can help you,” or “I am not allowed to put you through unless I find out about the nature of the call.” Be insistent, call the person by name, “Lori, I need a manger.”
7. Once you receive the travel offer in writing, read the fine print and pay special attention to asterisks or footnotes before you proceed with the rest of your travel plans.
8. Things happen for a reason.