The Better Business Bureau has some tips to share for when you are planning your spring break trip or summer vacation.
A travel
agency can make the process of booking your spring vacation quick and painless,
but choosing the wrong agency can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare.
The BBB is advising consumers to do their research before
booking their next vacation.
In 2012,
BBB received more than 7,000 complaints nationally against travel agencies and
bureaus. Most complaints allege consumers felt misled by travel offers that
failed to deliver on promises, or worse, paid money for travel arrangements
that were never made.
Follow
these tips to make your trip worry free:
- Use a travel company you trust. Ask family and friends to
recommend a company they've used and go to bbb.org to see the company's
BBB Business Review. You can also utilize BBB Member Pages to find a BBB
Accredited Business to work with.
- Get all vacation details in
writing.
Get all the details of your vacation in writing, including travel
itineraries and booking confirmations. Get a copy of the company's
cancellation and refund policies, and ask questions.
- Verify reservations. Get the contact information
for the airline, car rental company and hotel you'll be using. Call to
confirm all arrangements.
- Consider travel insurance. Travel insurance is designed
to cover such things as trip cancellations or medical emergencies. Before
purchasing any type of travelers insurance check your homeowner's or
medical insurance policies to see what is already covered.
- Pay with a credit card. Paying with a credit card
gives you additional protections should something go wrong with the travel
reservation.
- Be
on the alert for travel scams. Unsolicited mail, email and faxes offering
deeply discounted travel packages could leave you out a vacation and money if
you're not careful.
