Q. What advice may BBB provide for planning "Spring Break" vacations?
A. If you're among the many families and college students planning a short vacation during spring break, watch out. Scammers do not take vacations. They're always lurking about, creating new plots for tripping you up. Your Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia has advice for consumers who want to get away from it all without letting scammers get away with your money.
First, using the right travel company can greatly enhance your vacation experience. Similarly, the wrong company can put your trip in a tailspin. In 2016, BBB received over 2,400 complaints on the travel industry. The most common complaint regarding travel companies is failure to deliver on promises and contracts. Here are some ways to ensure that your experience is a positive one:
When choosing a travel company, ask around. Friends and family can provide valuable information based on their own experiences.
Check out any travel company you are considering by visiting bbb.org, where you can access their BBB Business Profile.
Ensure that you get all the details of your trip in writing. This should include travel itineraries, booking confirmations and vouchers.
Secure a copy of the company's cancellation and refund policies.
Do not rely solely on the word of the travel company when it comes to all the vital arrangements for your trip. Get contact information for your airlines, rental car companies and hotels. Call them direct, reconfirm the dates, rates and details.
When talking with your travel company, ask lots of questions based on "what ifs." Imagine some worst-case scenarios and ask how those problems would be rectified. Last minute panic during your vacation does not lend itself to sound reasoning. Knowing ahead of time what to do in such circumstances can streamline a solution.
Travel insurance can be a worthwhile expense. It would cover things like cancellations and medical emergencies. Check first with your homeowners and medical insurance to find out what they might cover during a trip.
Give details about your itinerary to a trusted friend or relative, in addition to your mobile number; include contact information for each leg of your trip.
Watch out for deep discounts on travel packages, especially the ones that come unsolicited to you via email, text or otherwise. "You've won a trip!" is a red flag for a scam, or at the very least, for complicated red tape that can dampen your travel fun. Also, remember that you should never have to pay anything in order to receive a "gift."
BBB's mantra, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," should never be forgotten. Spring break scams often target college students. Be wary of deals and last-minute packages. Do your research; Google the address and check out the business at bbb.org.
Always make deposits or payments with credit cards. The credit card company will assist with fraud or disputes. Do not use debit cards for travel transactions.
Jim Winsett is president of the Better Business Bureau in Chattanooga.