Websites and the Internet have made it so easy to book flights, excursions and accommodation online. These tips will help ensure that your holiday is going to be a joyful event.

Every now and then the media reports some or other booking scam that leaves travellers stranded somewhere at an airport or on the steps of a hotel elsewhere in the world. Obviously these scams are not restricted to online services, but here are some tips that may help you prevent falling victim to them.

    • It is important to do some research on your destination before you book so that you know where you want to go and more or the less the price of transport to and accommodation at your destination.
    • Also make sure that the website is reputable. A quick search about the site and/or company offering the service will usually reveal what you need to know. Ensure that they are a member of a recognised travel authority which offers financial protection and a complaints service.
    • Don’t make online payments if you are not comfortable with the company and/or the site that you are dealing with. Make sure that the site is secured for payment. Rather use a credit card that other forms of payment as this gives some measure of protection. Unfortunately there are bogus sites that have been created for the sole purpose of swindling you out of your money.
    • Similarly, be wary of giving out personal details when you are unsure of the site’s reputation. Read the site’s privacy statement to find out how it treats and protects your information.
    • Keep receipts for all online holiday or travel bookings and payments.
    • Check out the reviews on the site but remember that some of these comments may actually be paid advertisements.
    • Compare services and prices on a few sites before you decide to use a specific one. Remember that if anything seems too good to be true, it usually is! Also check the hotel or airline’s site to see if you can book directly at the same price.
    • Read the fine print. For example, the weight or number of luggage items may be restricted, you may have to buy travel insurance separately or at an extra cost, or the driver’s age may influence the cost and/or insurance cost of a motor rental.
    • Be aware that the price originally given on the site may not be the final price; hidden costs can inflate the final price significantly. For example, the price may be influenced by the time of year that you’re going, the view from your hotel room, a specific seat on the plane or any additional services that you require.
    • If possible, have a map of the city or area that you want to visit at hand so that you can check the location of accommodation relative to the sightseeing highlights and transport access. Remember that the closer to these, the more expensive the accommodation will be.
    • Make sure of your travel dates and any other details such as itineraries, destinations and number of travellers before you press the submit or send button. You will save yourself a lot of hassle when you don’t have to make changes afterwards. Also, some sites charge extra for amendments.
    • Don’t be fooled by photographs that give a false impression. Do a separate image search to find additional photographs posted by customers who have been there.
    • Avail yourself of the website’s cancellation and refund policy, which may differ from the hotel of airline operator’s policy.
    • If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.

Millions of bookings are made safely on the Internet every year. Ask family members, colleagues and friends which sites they use for their bookings without any problems. Take note of the tips above and enjoy your holiday.

 

Sources

Holiday and travel booking. Retrieved from https://www.getsafeonline.org/shopping-banking/holiday-and-travel-booking/
Internet book holidays − advantages and disadvantages. Retrieved from http://frndzzz.com/internet-book-holidays-advantages-and-disadvantages
Morelock, J. Disadvantages of booking online. Retrieved from https://www.trails.com/facts_9851_disadvantages-booking-online.html
Pitfalls of booking your holiday online. Retrieved from http://www.lauraexplorer.co.uk/1/post/2015/07/the-pitfalls-of-booking-your-holiday-online.html
Privacy statement. Retrieved from https://www.booking.com