Be prepared in event of Y2K travel problems

There has been lots of controversy about the millennium effect, or Y2K, problem. One of the industries touted to be most affected by this date changeover is the travel industry. This business is heavily computer-dependent on an international level and might be expected to develop some glitches at the millennial turnover.

The North American airline system has assured the public that it is prepared for Y2K. There is a possibility that some of the smaller airlines and commuter lines may not be as ready as the major carriers. For many of the international carriers, the word isn't out as yet on their preparedness.

So, there is some slight chance that travelers over the millennium dates, and for some days after, might ex-perience difficulties in reservations, scheduling or flight availability.

Although the chance of trouble is slight, the American Society of Travel Agents has prepared some tips for travelers during this period and we pass them along to you, just in case.

Because the international network of travel reservation systems for airlines, hotels and car rentals might experience a failure, it is suggested that you obtain and carry in written form information about your travel plans, including hotel and car rental reservation or confirmation numbers.

You should reconfirm hotel reservations with properties directly, especially for those facilities that are booked to capacity. Should the hotel reservation system become nonfunctional, you will have the written word in hand to claim your reservation. Rental car agencies operate on their own reservation systems, so the same precaution applies to these facilities.

Make copies of all your traveler's documents. This list includes passports, visas, driver's licenses, credit cards, prescriptions and important phone numbers. Keep one copy in your carry-on luggage and leave a copy with a friend, relative or other person who could be contacted to supply this information.

In case you should lose these doc-uments or they are stolen, and in the slight chance that consular, banking, governmental offices or credit card centers are not functioning or cannot be contacted, you will have copies of needed papers as proof of your identity and for quick replacement if the proper agency can be reached.

Ask for traditional printed tickets for travel during this time rather than electronic ones (e-tickets) that could become snarled in computer mix-ups. Also consider taking adequate cash or buying traveler's checks before departure for the trip rather than depending on ATMs at your destination[[In-content Ad]]