What Does an Airline Merger Mean for Travelers?
American Airlines and US Airways announced yesterday that the companies will merge, creating the world’s largest airline. The new company will operate under the American Airlines name.
What does this mean for travelers? Based on the history of recent airline mergers, there are a number of things that can go awry when companies combine.
Technical difficulties often arise when reservation systems are merged, resulting in increased flight and baggage delays due to misdirection. There may also be big changes in flight plans as the newly merged company determines its new routes.
However, travelers can minimize potential travel disruptions by keeping these things in mind when purchasing travel insurance. Selecting the right benefits can provide coverage in the event travel is delayed or bags are lost.
Frequent travelers may find the following benefits valuable:
– Baggage and Personal Items Loss – Reimburses for lost, stolen or damaged baggage or personal items
– Travel Delay – Reimburses for meals and accommodations when a trip is unexpectedly delayed
– Missed Connection – Reimburses for the costs to “catch up” to a trip
– Baggage Delay – Reimburses travelers for clothing, toiletries or other personal items if luggage is delay for a specific period of time