Help lines are overrun with automated systems now. It can sometimes take up to 15 minutes or more to get a real live operator. Here are some phone numbers and codes to get you to a human ASAP.

Air Cananda: 888-247-2262, Press 1 then press 0 until transferred to an operator

American Airlines: 800-433-7300, Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages

Amtrak: 877-444-4773

Avis: 800-230-4898, Press 2

British Airways: 800-247-9297, Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages

Continental Airlines: 800-784-4444, Press 0

Delta Airlines: 800-221-1212, Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages

Expedia: 800-397-3342, Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages

Greyhound: 800-231-2222, Press 26

Hertz: 800-654-3131

Jetblue Airways: 800-5382583, Press 0

Midwest Airlines: 800-452-2022, Press **

Northwest Airlines: 800-225-2525, Press 3 at each prompt, ignoring messages

Orbitz: 888-656-4546, Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages

Southwest: 800-435-9792

Spirit Air: 800-772-7117, Press 00

Travelocity: 888-872-8356, Press ###

United: 800-864-8331, Press 0, say “agent”, say “yes”, say “domestic” or “international”

US Airways: 800-428-4322. Press 41

To find out more numbers visit gethuman.com

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