Plan Your Transfer To Avoid Disaster

Although exceptional weather combined with big crowds can cause travel chaos in unusual circumstances, as witnessed by the problems in the French Alps on the last Saturday of last year, things can go wrong on any independent transfer if you don't take simple precautions, according to one established ski resort transfer company.

With big snowfall in the Alps at present and another change over Saturday coming up, Ski-Lifts.com have come up with advice for skiers and boarders on what to look for in a transfer company, and what preparations you should make even after you have booked the transfer, in case things go wrong.

"Year after year Ski-Lifts reps watch alarmed as families arrive for their winter break believing that they can pick up a transfer at the airport," said the company's Charlotte Lee, "On a standard day that would be tough, but during peak season dates such as in February, people have been stuck at airport overnight, or left with only very expensive options to get them to resort – not the best way to start your holiday."

The company recommend those needing to book independent transfers do so at least two weeks prior to their holiday, or get the best deals by booking even earlier; that they research the firm (are they reputable? reliable?) …and that they read the small print.

For example quite often flights don't come in on time, especially in bad weather so you need to know your transfers company's policy on delays. You should also double check the details of your booking and ensure you have travel insurance in case things go wrong despite all your efforts.

"This problem doesn't just occur for those who fail to book a transfer. We've watched in dismay as holiday makers arrive on a delayed flight, only to find out they have missed their transfer and that there is little their transfer company will do to accommodate them. All too often the solution to this is an airport taxi (if one is even available), which often comes with a surprisingly high fare, and is unlikely to be refunded," said Charlotte.

[Disclosure :- Ski Lifts are a J2Ski Partner]

Noticed a few transfer people offering delay insurance for a few euros - new transfer/over night hotel etc.
Seems a good idea to me especially if the journey to resort is independently booked.

Isn't that covered in most travel insurance policies anyway?

It gets complicated with travel insurance - about "why" of delay and varies policy by policy.

To my mind, this is a coded message to customers that Tour Operators transfer arrangements are really pretty limited and highly dependent on a benign congruence of events i.e. everything going perfectly to schedule. If your plane is late, tough. If the weather disrupts incoming coaches, tough. If the weather causes massive queues en route, tough. If the transfer extends to 8 hours, tough, they'll be no water or snacks on board. And so on.

The Snowmaggedon at Christmas/New Year made a lot of people realise that the Tour Operators provide little or no training or real-time support for their poor underpaid Reps. And that anyone expecting more really needs to organise their own transfer.

However, it's a welcome approach from this company to set expectations amoung potential customers that all that is on offer is the organisation of the transfer and only what an isolated Rep on the ground can offer in the way of coordination on the day. Nothing more. All the rest is up to the customer. It's a shame that so many other Tour Operators pretend that they're bringing a massive logistical machine with years of inhertied eperience to bear, when that's not really what's on offer.

Do people really turn up at airports overseas with no onward travel booked or planned? No problem if your resort has a railway station but otherwise: MADNESS!