Burnsville, MN – February 25, 2016 – As
winter drags on and spring break inches closer, a sunny vacation becomes all
the more attractive. Many people are eager to trade cold weather for sunshine
and the relaxing sound of waves crashing against the shore. Spring break
usually means a week of fun and sun; however, Better Business Bureau of
Minnesota and North Dakota ® (BBB) warns people to plan ahead to avoid scams and common
vacation pitfalls.
“Con artists and disreputable websites know that students
are eager to make arrangements to book a getaway,” said Dana Badgerow,
president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. “They use that
enthusiasm to their advantage.”
Scammers commonly target students looking to find great
deals online by offering enticing vacation packages at unrealistically low
prices. That’s why it’s important to do your research first. If you haven’t
planned a vacation before, BBB (bbb.org) is a great resource for finding travel
agencies that are reputable and dependable.
Here are some additional tips from your BBB to help ensure a
worry-free vacation:
·
Plan
ahead. The early bird gets the worm. Allow yourself the time to research
hotels, flights, and area where you’re staying. Typically, the earlier the
reservations are made, the better the deals you will find and the lower the
risk of your favorite destination being booked solid. Making reservations in
advance also locks in rates and prevents you from paying higher prices later
during prime spring break season.
·
Be
alert for travel scams. Watch out for phone calls or letters claiming that
you’ve “won a trip” or websites offering prices that are too good to be true.
It’s easy to extend questionable offers like these, but the vast majority of
them leave hopeful travelers in limbo – and out money.
·
Do
your homework. Ask family and friends to recommend a travel agent or travel
website and visit bbb.org for free Business Reviews. If you’re
using services like Airbnb or VRBO to find accommodations, be sure to research
the business and read customer reviews about any rentals you’re considering.
·
Get
the trip details in writing. Before making final payment, get all the details
of the trip in writing. This should include the total cost, restrictions,
cancellation penalties, and names of the airlines and hotels.Also review and
keep a copy of the airline and hotel’s cancellation and refund policies, as
well as the cancellation policies of the travel agency or vacation website - such as Travelocity or Priceline - you’re using.
·
Consider
travel insurance. Travel insurance is designed to cover such things as trip
cancellations or medical emergencies. There are different levels of coverage
based on what type of plan you purchase. Ask a lot of questions, and always
read the fine print to see what’s covered and what’s not.
·
Pay
with a credit card. Paying with a credit card gives you additional protection
if something should go wrong with the travel reservation.
