| Don’t go broke on break! |
|
|
It’s the season for the BBB to warn sun-seeking travelers to be particularly careful as they plan their spring and summer vacations. There’s a lot of exciting advertising out there. How do you know the difference between the sunny and the shady?
Often the amazingly low prices on airline travel involve charter flights. Remember, however, that charter flights are not held to the same standards of performance that a commercial passenger flight would be, i.e. they have a wide allowance of time for arrival and departure. Over a weeklong vacation, it’s possible that a passenger on a charter flight could spend up to 72 hours waiting at an airport. Suddenly that low ticket price doesn’t seem like such a good deal.
Do your homework with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Public Charter Licensing office at 202-366-1037 to make sure the carrier you’re considering is approved for the specific destination and departure city you have in mind.
The BBB suggests consumers avoid these “red flags” when considering travel offers:
• Heavily discounted offers: If the offer is significantly lower than the regular price of travel and sounds “too good to be true,” it probably is. Shop around to evaluate prices from several companies.
• Policy changes: A company that will not accept credit card payments is preventing your best avenue of recourse should they not fulfill their obligations; forcing you to pay by cash or check instead virtually eliminates your chances of canceling the transaction.
• “One call, one chance”: On the initial phone call, some high-pressure sales companies will put a deadline on their offer to get you to commit on the spot.
• Hidden costs: Does a “bargain” travel package include all costs associated with the trip, such as ground transportation, lodging, meals, taxes, and gratuities? Are you being asked to travel to a distant location before the company pays for “free” travel?
• False bookings: Before traveling, confirm all arrangements yourself. Even though you paid for the trip in full, it’s possible that your reservations don’t exist.
Take a trip without “getting taken!” The BBB reminds all consumers to always call or click before you buy! 303-758-2100 or www.boulder.bbb.org.
|
|
Printer-friendly format
|
|
