How to talk to a human

Ever found it hard to speak to a human being when telephoning a company? Bored of listening to piped music and seemingly endless computer instructions?

The Cheapflights Team believes that very often, especially in the complex world of travel, we want to talk to a live human being. That is why we have compiled a Cheat Sheet to help you get to a real-live-person asap when calling a top travel company. (This was not our idea but copied from a similar list compiled by technology guru Paul English in the USA. Thought it would be helpful to have one this side of the Pond too!)

Airlines | Travel companies | Hotel companies

Top 20 Airlines:

Company / BusinessPhone Number / WebsiteSteps to take to talk to a human
Aer Lingus0871 718 5000 (10p/min)Press 2 then 1
Air Berlin0871 500 0737 (10p/min)Put straight through
American Airlines0844 499 7300 (5p/min)Put straight through
bmi0844 4172 600 (5p/min)Hold through some information
British Airways0844 493 0787 (5p/min)Hold and then wait to speak to an agent
easyJet0330 365 5000Hold and then wait to speak to an agent
Emirates Airlines0844 800 2777 (5p/min)Put straight through
flybe0871 700 2000 (10p/min plus network extras)Put straight through
Flythomascook.com0844 879 8407
Jet2.com0333 300 0042 (10p/min) or to make a new booking 0800 408 1350Hold and then wait to speak to an agent
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines0871 231 0000 (10p/min)Straight through to main switchboard
Monarch Airlines0871 940 5040 (10p/min)Press 1 then hold
Ryanair0871 246 0000 (10p/min)Press 4 then hold
Singapore Airlines0844 800 2380 (5p/min)Press 2 then 2 then 2 or3
Thomson flights0844 871 087 (5p/min)Hold and then wait to speak to an agent
Thomsonfly0871 231 4787 (10p/min)Press 1 then hold
Virgin Atlantic0844 874 7747 (5p/min)Put straight through

Top 20 Travel Companies:

Company / BusinessPhone Number / WebsiteSteps to take to talk to a human
Argo0844 756 4350 (5p/min)
Avios0844 493 3366 (5p/min)Press 1 then choose your country
Cosmos0843 227 1464
eBookers020 3320 3320
Expedia/Hotels.com0330 123 1235
First Choice0844 871 1604 (5p/min)
Kuoni0844 488 0428 (5p/min)They pick up straight away
Last Minute0871 222 5938 (10p/min)Press 1 then choose relevant department
Libra Holidays0871 226 0446They pick up straight away
Netflights.com0844 692 6792
Saga0800 096 0074
STA Travel0333 321 0099
The Holiday Place020 7644 1770They pick up straight away
Thomas Cook0844 879 8407 (5p/min)Press 2 then 3 then 2
Thomson Holidays0871 231 4691 (10p/min)
Trail Finders020 7938 3939They pick up straight away
Co-operative Travel0844 879 8220

Top Hotel Companies:

Company / BusinessPhone Number / WebsiteSteps to take to talk to a human
Accor International0871 702 9469Parent Company forIbis Hotels & NovotelPut straight through
Best Western International0800 393 130Put straight through
Carlson Hospitality Worldwide1 (763) 212-5000Parent Company for:Straight through to Main Switchboard
Radisson Hotels & Resorts0800 374411Straight through
Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts0800 169 6128Straight through
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson0800 973 217Straight through
Park Inn0800 056 0591Straight through
Comfort Inns0800 444444Parent Company Choice HotelsHold and get put through
Days Inn08000280 400Part of Wyndham Hotel GroupStraight through to the 1st available operator
De Vere Hotels0871 222 4198
Hilton Hotels Corporation0207 856 8000Hold through short message, then put through
Holiday Inn0871 423 4896 (10p/min)
Ibis Hotels0871 663 0624Part of the Accor GroupShort recorded message then operator
Inn Keepers Lodge08451 551 551
Inter-Continental Hotel Group0871 942 9292 (10p/mon)
MacDonald Hotels0870 830 4812Hold the line and they will pick up
Malmaison Hotels0845 120 4991
Marriott International. Inc.0800 1927 1927Press 2 then hold
Moat House Hotels01785 712217Main Switchboard
Novotel0871 663 0624Part of the Accor GroupPut straight through
Premier Inn0871 527 9222 (10p/min)
Quality Inns0800 444444Parent Company Choice HotelsHold and get put through
Radisson Hotels0800 374411Part of Carlson HospitalityHold and get put through
Ramada08081000783Part of Wyndham Hotel GroupStraight through to the 1st available operator
Regent International Hotels0808 234 6686Straight through to the 1st available operator
Supranational Hotels02073570770Straight through
Swallow0843 050 7711
Thistle0871 376 9099
Travelodge0871 984 8484
Wyndham Worldwide
1 0800 466 1589 Parent Company for:Straight through to the 1st available operator (USA office hours)
Days Inn0800 0280 400Straight through to the 1st available operator
Howard Johnson001 800 544 9881Short recorded message then straight through to the 1st available operator
Knights Inn001 800 843 5644Short recorded message then straight through to the 1st available operator.
Ramada Worldwide0808 234 6686Straight through to the 1st available operator
Travelodge(US) 1-800-835-2424Press 1 then hold
Wingate Inn001 800 449 3716Straight through
Super 8 Motel001 800 454 3509Straight through
Youth Hostels Association01629 592 701Press 4 then hold

(Featured image: Carlos ZGZ)

About the author

Oonagh ShielContent Manager at Cheapflights whose travel life can be best summed up as BC (before children) and PC (post children). We only travel during the school holidays so short-haul trips and staycations are our specialities!

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