Seasonal & Holidays
BBB Offers Labor Day Travel Tips to Avoid Scams
With Labor Day weekend approaching, consumers will be taking advantage of last-minute deals for one final getaway.
With Labor Day weekend approaching, consumers will be taking advantage of last-minute deals for one final getaway and the Better Business Bureau Serving E. Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island & Vermont (BBB) is advising consumers to be aware of potential scams.
“Labor Day is right around the corner and many consumers may be looking for last-minute deals on trips,” says Paula Fleming, vice president of the local BBB. “The possibility of scams start when you begin planning your trip, and BBB wants to remind consumers to proceed with caution before booking deals.”
The BBB offers the following tips when planning a last-minute trip:
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Book through a reliable travel agency. Check out travel agencies at bbb.org/boston or search the BBB Accredited Business Directory for one. Accredited Businesses must adhere to BBB’s 8 Standards for Trust, including to advertise honestly, be transparent, and honor promises.
Search for reputable online deals. There are many reputable websites that offer discount packages and travel deals, such as Groupon and LivingSocial, as well as travel sites that offer vacation packages at discounted rates, like Travelocity and Expedia. These are great options for finding legitimate trips at an affordable price. Be sure to read the deals carefully, as blackout dates and specific details may apply.
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Get details about your trip in writing. Be sure to confirm all details in writing, such as total cost, flights, hotel reservations, car rental, or any restrictions that apply.
Use a credit card as payment. Paying by credit card offers the most protection should something go wrong or you need to dispute a charge.
Consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance provides coverage for particular perils that occur on your trip under which it will pay out claims. Be sure to do your research on different travel insurance policies and thoroughly read the terms and conditions before purchasing.
Be wary of claims that you “won” a trip. Generally if you’ve truly won something, it will be given to you as a gift. Be especially leery if the offer is unsolicited. Check on any offers that sound too good to be true with your local Better Business Bureau.
For more information you can trust, visit bbb.org/boston or like us on Facebook. To check out current scams or report a scam, visit bbb.org/scamtracker/boston.
ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses and brands they can trust. In 2014, consumers turned to BBB more than 165 million times for BBB Business Reviews on more than 4.7 million businesses, all available for free at bbb.org. BBB Serving Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont, founded in 1912, is one of 112 local, independent BBBs across North America.
Paula Fleming is VP of Communications & Marketing for Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern MA, ME, RI & VT. Find Paula on Google+.
