From the partial US Government Shutdown affecting TSA staffing, to the ongoing situation in the Middle East and various airline strikes across Europe — the past several months have been exceptionally busy across the industry. This has led to increased demand on our contact centers and travel teams, and while we’re doing everything we can to minimize the impact — including ramping up our on-call staffing — wait times may still be longer than usual.
How to navigate travel in times of disruption
That’s exactly why we want to make sure you and your travelers have the best tools and strategies at hand to stay ahead of disruptions. Here are our top recommendations:
Advice for travelers
- Use TripSource — If your travelers haven’t already, now is the time to download BCD’s TripSource app. With TripSource your travelers are never caught off guard. They receive real-time travel alerts and push notifications about ongoing and upcoming trips, often even before supplier apps.
- Stay informed — Encourage travelers with upcoming trips to check directly with their airlines, hotels and ground partners for the latest updates. Downloading the supplier’s app and/or visiting their website is the quickest way to access real-time flight information and manage bookings in the event of a disruption.
- Plan ahead and perform prechecks — When staff shortages or union actions have been announced, travelers should arrive at the airport early to allow extra time for check-in and security. Where possible, complete any travel processes in advance — such as enrolling in TSA PreCheck, setting up touchless ID, and checking in online. A good rule of thumb: avoid checking luggage (when possible) to stay flexible.
- Use your company’s online booking tool — Many actions — like cancelling or modifying bookings — can be handled directly by travelers through the online booking tool, without needing to contact us at all.
- Know your duty of care — Always book through BCD or your company’s approved booking tool to ensure your company knows your whereabouts and can provide support when needed. Familiarize yourself with your company’s policies regarding safety, security and high-risk travel protocols. Additionally, make sure to download BCD’s or any company-approved safety and security apps — these are essential tools that allow your company to locate and assist you in the event of a disruption or emergency.
Getting in touch with World Travel Service
When you do need our help, we’re here for you. To make sure we can prioritize the most urgent cases, here’s how to reach us:
- Support or travel within the next 48 hours: Please call us directly.
- New travel requests or travel beyond 48 hours: Please reach out by phone or email to shop, book or get any other support you need.
Timing matters
When strikes or disruptions hit the news, many travelers’ natural reaction is to contact us immediately. But acting too early can actually lead to unnecessary wait times and unexpected costs. Here’s why:
- Waivers take time. In the first hours after a disruption is announced, airline waiver information may not yet be available to us.
- Flights are cancelled later. Airlines typically begin cancelling flights only after the initial announcement.
- Standard fare rules apply until a waiver is received. Changes made before a waiver is in place may result in additional airline costs for you.
- So, unless your travel is imminent, a little patience can go a long way — both for your travel expenses and your peace of mind.
We’ve got your back
Disruptions are part of the travel landscape, but how we handle them doesn’t have to be disruptive. With the right tools, a bit of planning, and our team standing by, we’ll navigate this together. We’re committed to keeping your travel program running as smoothly as possible — no matter what’s happening in the world.
Feel free to forward these tips to your travelers as well — the more prepared everyone is, the better the experience for all.