ASK AN EXPERT: How to avoid getting scammed when booking holiday travel plans

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start nailing down your holiday plans. But finding hotels and organizing flights, bus or train connections can be exhausting. This is why more people are turning to travel agencies, which generally have the best seasonal deals on offer. 

However, it’s important to make sure the agency you choose is reputable and not a scam. We asked Coral Travel – an agency that specializes in booking packages from Czechia to several holiday destinations and is part of Coral Travel Group, which has organized tours for more than 28 million clients worldwide – for tips. 

Here are four things Coral Travel experts say you should always do to avoid getting ripped off when booking through an agency:   

It doesn’t matter if you are booking a week-long getaway to Egypt or a quick weekend excursion to Italy, make sure you are given copies of all of the reservations and payments the travel agency makes on your behalf. Double check that all names and payments match what’s on your bank account statement.   

Credit cards will provide you with better liability protection than other payment options when filing a claim for unauthorized purchases. It’s a huge red flag if you are being asked to pay by cash, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. Legitimate agencies will typically accept all forms of secure payment methods, including credit cards and online payment platforms.   

If an agency tries to pressure you into making a fast decision on a travel offer before giving you enough time to consider it, chances are they are trying to scam you. Walk away. Reputable agencies will offer you information on a trip before allowing you space to weigh your options.       

Offers of “free” or heavily discounted travel packages are common scams. Be wary of such “deals.” They are often a way to steal personal data and money. Do your research ahead of time. Ask friends or family for agency recommendations. Personal referrals are always the most trustworthy, as online reviews can be easily faked.