The U.S. Federal Trade Commission received more than 15,000 complaints last year regarding travel, vacations and timeshares. There are many things you need to look out for when booking your summer vacations, says Wallet Pop. Watch out for anything that says it’s free or packages that trick you on what is really being offered.
Here are some things to watch out for:
Online Rentals: Be wary of those that the rate just seems way too good to be true, says the article. Make sure the house is really available and get contact information before booking. You can check the address too through a Google search.
Timeshares: I get nervous about these. You really have to be careful because there are a lot of catches out there. Some are legit but just be careful.
Airfare and Hotel Packages: I have recently seen several ads for a free plane ticket if you book a hotel for a few days down in Florida. Look at deals for flights on several websites and hotel deals. Check out Kayak for discounts and airlines.
The article states that it is usually best to pay for a vacation with a credit card as protection. The charge can always be disputed through the Fair Credit Billing Act. Also, don’t give out your credit card number over the phone unless you are familiar with the company. Really think through it before booking. Getting all of the details of the trip in writing is also a good idea. Whenever you’re dealing with a company like a travel service check up on them through the Better Business Bureau.