Travel Scams-Don’t get taken for a ride
For most of us, traveling and spending quality time with our near and dear ones on a holiday, is the best way to unwind and recharge ourselves. To save ourselves from the hassles of planning, booking tickets and checking reservations at hotels, most try to opt for a travel agency. However, this will also qualify most of us for a travel scam. Consulting or giving charge of our holidays to a travel agent may be a good option if we are aware of the travel business, otherwise the relaxing time we are planning for may also turn out to be a nightmare. Keeping some of the points mentioned below will go a long way in ensuring that you get what you had expected from your holiday:
1.Research: Catchy lines and picturesque scenes do not tell the truth in most cases. Do not get taken for a ride by the company’s reputation and popularity. Travel companies involved in scams will try everything from aggressive marketing tactics to “free” offers and add-ons. Consulting friends and doing a bit of online research will give a more clearer picture about the company or travel agent.
2.Paying for the package: It is always advisable that payment for travel packages is NOT through cash or personal check. Instead it is always a better option to pay for the charges by credit card. Payment through a credit card will at least ensure that you stand a chance to recover your funds (by reporting it to your credit card company). Victims of travel scams in most of the cases were asked to pay for the package by cash or check.
3.Associations and affiliations: Is the travel agent or agency you selected associated or affiliated to legitimate organizations like American Society of Travel Agents, member of Chamber of Commerce etc? If the travel agency is not affiliated to any such organizations, you might want to reconsider that travel agency before handing over money.
A bit of careful planning and research will definitely go a long way in ensuring that you get your money’s worth.
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May 14th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Thanks for this information. We should take extreme caution when it comes to travel scams. Nice sharing.
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Definitely do your research before booking with a travel agency. Research online or ask friends for recommendations. Those are probably your safest bets.