You’ve been diligently putting away funds each month toward that dream holiday. You’ve put together a list of places to see and things to try and you’re already envisioning yourself enjoying the sights and sounds of a place you’ve been desperate to tick off your bucket list. Finally, the time comes for you to pack your bags and take that big trip. But your dream breakaway turns into a vacation nightmare in seconds when you arrive at the airport or hotel, only to be told bookings were never made. Or worse, the hotel you have a booking with doesn’t even exist! You’ve fallen victim to a devastating and expensive travel scam…
With online bookings making it easier than ever to plan the perfect vacation, more people are being taken for a ride by scheming ‘travel agents’ eager to get their hands on your money. And the losses can often be detrimental, with holiday goers losing tens of thousands of rands that they’ll never get back.
However, there are a few things you can do to ensure you get the dreamy vacation you deserve.
1. The Internet Is Your Friend
With almost all travel agencies going online, it’s important to educate yourself a bit before diving into the booking process. Familiarise yourself with some of the big industry names with a solid reputation. If you’re unsure, do a quick online search for company reviews.
NB! Keep in mind that some dodgy companies buy positive reviews, so don’t use online reviews as a determining factor on its own.
2. Verify the Company
When looking for a reputable travel agency, you can visit the Association of Southern African Travel Agents (ASATA) website for a complete list of accredited agencies. You can also submit complaints relating to a specific agent on their website.
For international travel, you can contact the International Air Transport Association (IATA) [whole name hyperlinked please]. IATA provides accreditation for both airline and travel agencies worldwide.
3. Speak to Others
You can rarely go wrong with some simple word of mouth. Speak to other people who recently travelled and ask them which companies they would recommend.
4. Ask Questions
When it comes to parting with your money, one can never ask too many questions. When finding out more about a travel package, you should ask lots of questions. If the agent seems to be dodging fairly straightforward questions, you should be wary.
5. Trust your Instincts
The old saying goes: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember that a much cheaper travel package isn’t always the best. If, at any time during the booking process, you feel uncomfortable rather step back and put things on hold until you have more certainty. Don’t allow yourself to be bullied into any agreement. If the agent comes across as pushy or desperate to close a deal, it’s best to step away and look elsewhere.
6. Make the Call
Before paying a single cent, call the various hotels and tour operators included in your travel package to confirm they actually exist. If you’re visiting a foreign country, you can call that country’s tourist information centre to confirm the various elements of your travel package exist and are legitimate.
7. Get it in Writing
Once you’re comfortable to make a booking, ensure you get everything in writing. This includes the full itinerary, booking confirmations for flights, hotels and any other travel or accommodation needs, confirmation from the hotel and airline and any other relevant documents needed for your travels. Get confirmation from the source wherever you can.
8. Think Before You Pay
Avoid paying funds into a person’s personal account. Rather insist on paying the hotel directly or make arrangements to pay for your accommodation on the day you arrive. Also ensure you pay via the legitimate payment site when making an online payment. Always be wary of any site that diverts you to a completely different website to complete payment. Also check the web address to ensure it is the correct web address and make sure the address starts with “https://” – this indicates the site has the various security measures in place for online payments.
9. Spelling Counts
When corresponding with a travel or booking agent, pay close attention to the way all emails and documentation are written. Take note of bad grammar and spelling, strange phone numbers that don’t match the country of origin and email addresses that aren’t linked to a company name (for example dodgytravelcompany@yahoo.com or dodgytravelcompany@gmail.com).
10. Ask the Locals
If you know someone who lives in or close to the area you’re planning to visit, ask them to go to the hotel, lodge or rental accommodation to confirm everything is in order. Ask them to send photos and to speak to the owners of the establishment to ensure everything is as advertised.
11. Private Accommodation
If someone is renting out their property privately, you need to be extra-vigilant. When making use of an online rental site, you should never contact a potential accommodation host outside of the rental site platform. This ensures that there’s a proper record of all correspondence should you have any future disputes. These online rental sites also don’t allow for hosts to receive direct payment, so never pay anyone directly into their personal account.
For more tips on making online payments and purchases, you can read our article on Tips for Safer Online Shopping.
Sources: AA Travel | AITA | ASATA