How to Avoid Spring Break Travel Scams

Each Spring, millions of students travel for Spring Break, most of them looking for a way to have fun in the sun for half the price. Some fly-by-night travel operators use this chance to scam students out of thousands of dollars. You can avoid being one of the unsuspecting students who wind up victims of Spring Break travel scams by doing your homework ahead of time.

Instructions

1. Check your travel provider's credentials. Make sure that your travel planner has been in business for a number of years, has planned trips to your desired destination and has worked with students. Don't be afraid to ask for references of other satisfied clients or call the Better Business Bureau.

2. Get it in writing. Don't put a deposit down on a trip before you receive a proper contract that includes the travel dates, name of the air carrier, hotel, restrictions and cancellation policies, including any last-minute charges or changes that can be anticipated.

3. Buy travel insurance. Make sure that it covers trip cancellation for any reason by either you or your provider.

4. Pay by credit card. Your credit card company has policies and procedures in place to protect you against fraud. Question the legitimacy of any travel operator who will not accept credit cards.

5. Opt for an all-inclusive. While they may seem more expensive up-front, all-inclusive resorts offer the convenience of meals, ground transportation and activities bundles together without the threat of last-minute, hidden fees.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask a parent to plan your travel. Travel operators may be less likely to try to scam someone who isn't a student.

• Beware the colorful flyers around campus advertising cheaper-than-believable rates. Operators may price a package based on a non-existent hotel or air carrier then "cancel" your reservation at the last minute to sell an initially cheaper vacation up front.

• Beware of a clause in the contract that allows a tour operator to change your hotel at the last minute for another, "comparable" one.

• Think twice about taking a charter flight. While they may be less expensive than commercial air carriers, charter flights adhere to different rules. They can legally delay flights for up to 48 hours without providing alternative flights or accommodations and can cancel flights or change their schedules at a moment's notice.

Resources

• Find a Certified Travel Agent.
• Find a legitimate travel agent.