A new survey suggests three-quarters of American consumers would pay more to talk to a person in customer service instead of an AI. I'm interested in hearing from people who fly, drive, cruise or stay in hotels, and who can talk about the idea of paying extra to talk to a person. Some airlines have already added a surcharge for booking tickets by phone instead of online. But would you pay more to get put through to a real person instead of an AI the next time you contact a travel company? Do you think companies will ever do that, and if so, which ones (and when)? I'm also interested in hearing from customer service and travel experts on this topic. Are we headed to the point where human interaction is an amenity for which we'll pay extra? Would travelers agree to use an AI for customer service inquiries in exchange for a discount on their ticket or room? Is there a human "premium" when it comes to customer service, and if so, when will we see it manifest itself? How can consumers prepare for it?
The Department of Transportation just dropped a proposed rule that would have required airlines to compensate U.S. travelers for delayed flights. Behind the scenes, the airline industry is lobbying to undo even more consumer protections — from refund requirements to fee disclosures.
I'm researching a story about which rules are most at risk of being rolled back, and what travelers can do to protect themselves if airlines get their way.
I'm looking for air travelers who’ve already felt the sting of weakened protections. Maybe it was a delayed refund, being forced to accept a credit, or a surprise airline fee. I'm interested in hearing your personal stories about what happens when rules vanish and passengers are left to fend for themselves.
For industry experts, I'd love to know which DOT regulations are most vulnerable. How would repealing these rules affect travelers? And what steps can consumers take now to safeguard themselves?
If you’ve experienced any of this, I'd love to hear your story.