by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:25 AM ET, Thu October 24, 2024
WHY IT RATES: The new guide helps travel advisors understand the new rules about the new rule on airline refunds, ensuring they'll be prepared to advocate for themselves and assist their clients when they need to get refunded from an airline. — Lacey Pfalz, Associate Writer, TravelPulse
As the Department of Transportation’s (DOT)
latest rule on airline refunds approaches, Travel Industry Solutions (TIS) has
unveiled an industry-leading guide specifically designed to support travel
agents of all types, including those who are not the merchant of record. This
guide delivers clear explanations of the new regulations, practical steps for
compliance, and valuable communication tools to handle customer inquiries
effectively. The free guide is available for immediate download here.
With many travel agents not acting as the
merchant of record, confusion is expected to arise regarding who is responsible
for issuing refunds. The TIS guide addresses this challenge head-on, offering
internal controls checklists, marketing strategies to enhance value
propositions, and key questions that agents should ask suppliers—especially
those who package air travel with other services. The guide also includes
tailored advice from industry leaders Allianz Travel Insurance and Regal Wings
airline consolidator, making it the most comprehensive resource available for
the upcoming DOT rule.
Sheila Folk, CEO and Founder of Travel Industry
Solutions, said, "This rule represents a significant change for the entire
travel industry, not just for merchant of record agents. Many customers do not
fully understand the merchant of record distinction, which can lead to
confusion when it comes to refunds.
We’ve created this guide to equip travel agents with the knowledge and
tools they need to stay compliant, field customer inquiries, and maintain their
professionalism. Our goal is to help travel agents protect their businesses
while continuing to provide top-tier service to their clients."
The guide covers essential areas, including:
- Plain English definitions of the DOT rule
and its impacts
- Common questions customers may ask about
the rule
- Key points to communicate to clients,
including email scripts
- Internal controls checklists to help
agents stay on track
- Packaged supplier and airline consolidator
considerations, including tailored guidance from Regal Wings
- Insights from Allianz on travel insurance
coverage
- Marketing messaging to help travel agents
elevate their value proposition in light of the new regulations
Chaz Dunwoody, Director of Sales, commented,
"At Regal Wings, we are committed to helping travel agents understand the
nuances of the new airline refund policies and how they apply when working with
consolidators. The guidance provided by TIS is essential to ensuring that
agents can confidently navigate these changes and continue providing the best
options for their clients."
Travel agents can download the free guide here. It is
part of TIS’s mission to provide continuous support to travel professionals as
they navigate industry changes and legal complexities.
For further information, or to explore
partnership opportunities, please visit https://travelindustrysolutions.com/ or
contact [email protected].
SOURCE: Travel Industry Solutions press release.
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