Many frequent travelers go by the maxim,  “there are lies, damn lies, and airline speak.”  Though in reality most airline employees do the best they can.”  But there is one situation especially where ignoring what the airline tells you can save you a lot of time and stress — when they say they can’t get you to your destination.

As a travel agent, I frequently get calls from stranded travelers, some of them before they have talked to the airlines.  And some after the airline has already given them their “best option.”  And quite frankly, sometimes that isn’t even close.

Clients going to Jamaica last month were told by Northwest that their flight was canceled, and that nothing was available until the following morning.  When they called me to ask what to do about the hotel, I found a wide-open American flight via Miami, and reserved two seats.

Armed with the confirmation number they went back to the counter and the agent shrugged, called American, and reissued their tickets. (The clients told me later the American flights were not full, but the only people from their original flight who also ended up the same planes had also called THEIR travel agent.)

Travelers heading to San Jose, California to San Jose, Costa Rica were called by American and told their flight to Dallas was delayed, and that they would miss their connection flight. The agent offered them the following day, or a four hours connection in Los Angeles and then a Lacsa overnight flight. They asked if it might be possible to pay more and fly first class. The answer was no.

Again, my quick computer check showed an American flight overnight from San Francisco to Miami with a one hour connection to Costa Rica – with a discounted first class fare available. Since San Francisco is only 30 miles from San Jose, my clients loved the idea. I booked the seats, and American reissued the tickets with only the fare difference, no penalty.

Admittedly, the reservation agent in the last case probably wasn’t in California, but presumably airline employees should know about nearby airports. Especially since the travelers said they would pay not to take the uncomfortable coach red-eye.

To be fair to the airlines, staff cuts mean that gate agents are more harried than usual. And certainly it is both easier and cheaper to give delayed travelers only one option. Sometimes, too, there may not be that many seats on an alternative flight. But if it means saving hours, or an entire day, you want all your options.

What to do?

If you have a travel agent, call them. Even online agencies have customer service numbers.

If you’ve booked direct, get creative. Call reservations, explain that you are flexible and be as proactive as you can. You can even look for options online first. Suggest other airlines, suggest nearby airports and be as aggressively nice as you can. (Screaming usually is not a productive option.) When faced with an agent who doesn’t seem to get it, there is always the “I’m sorry, this is a bad connection, I’ll have to call you back” approach. And try again.

This isn’t to say that airlines always lie about options. Sometimes they just don’t see them and sometimes they really don’t exist. But before giving up, it’s worth a little effort to be sure. The trip, or at least the time, you save may be your own