Travel Consumer Protection

Travel Consumer Protection

I was reminded again the other day when a person came in talking about a vacation that they had “won”, but had not been able to make the arrangements to travel on the days they wanted to travel. I was someone they knew and trusted, and I got to help her crystallize their vacation plans, just as she wanted it.

Some travel plans offered by phone or mail most of the time turn out to be quite different than presented....or what the consumer expected. I know we have taken calls at our home where if we “played along” with the caller we were offered 3 nights at a hotel in Las Vegas (didn't say which one), plus a beach vacation in Florida (didn't say where or which beach), and to top it all off, a 3-night cruise out of Miami (didn't say which cruise line or ship)!!! What a vacation package!!! But to seal the deal, we had to pay the tax of $98.99, and they needed our credit card number right then. Like to have never convinced them that I wasn't interested, finally explained my travel agent status then they clicked off.

Some things you want to remember when (if) this situation ever happens to you. Does the price seem too good to be true? If so, it probably is. Also remember this, someone is paying for those travel entities.....nothing is “free”, so just keep that in mind when they are blowing smoke about this fantastic travel vacation opportunity.

Another thing you don't want to do is give your credit card over the phone to someone you don't know. Plus, if they want your credit card info right then or “you'll lose this fantastic travel opportunity”, your immediate reaction should be “No, thank you” and hang up before they get the chance to offer you another “opportunity”.

Usually one of their other limitations on the trips is that you can't leave for any of the destinations for at least two months, that way you can't dispute the credit card payment. And another red flag is when you ask for an address for their company, they are unable or unwilling to give you an address for the business you are “doing business” with......again, time to click off.

I got a call one time about 10:15PM one night from an acquaintance who knew I was a travel agent and she was frantic about the transaction she just completed from a caller who had told her she had “won” a FREE 3-night trip to Las Vegas, and also a 5-night beach vacation at Daytona Beach in Florida. For her to take this fantastic offer, she had to pay the tax and service charges of $99.00 with her credit card and she had to do it then or the offer would expire. She gave them the number; then after thinking about it for a while, called me. I reminded her that if it was free, why did she have to give them her card number. Then told her as soon as she got up in the morning, call her bank and deny the charges.....and don't ever do that again!!! If she wants to go somewhere, call her trusted travel agent who will be here before she goes, while she's gone, and will be here when she gets back.

Be on the alert, and ever vigilant regarding those offers of “free trips”. Better still, remember when you want to travel and want some good, experienced advice, call the professionals at The Travel Factory who will help you manufacture the vacation of your dreams. We can be found at 4150 Southwest Drive, or by phone at 698-1421 or visit our website at www.thetravelfactoryabilene.com. Let us help keep you out of travel trouble!!!