With a shattered economy everyone is looking for a deal, but often, prices really are too good to be true.
Travel scams are more elaborate than ever. A traveler can be scammed before they even set foot on a plane. Even a veteran traveler could be prone to falling for these schemes.
Often when traveling the best way to avoid a scam is to use common sense, follow your gut and ask questions. Skipping the fine print on a travel deal could be disastrous.
Knowing what to look for can help you navigate the murky world of travel scams. Here are eight of the most popular travel scams to look out for.
Hidden Fees and Low Prices
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This is an easy scam that even veteran travelers can fall for. Always read the fine print! Major airlines are even a large offender of this, offering fare sales as low at $39. Read the fine print to find this sale is for one-way, off-peak, and only for a specific destination, making it not so much of a deal for most travelers. Also make sure to check if baggage is allowed as airlines often charge an additional fee for check bags.
All-Inclusive Trips
Often spring breakers and cruise goers can capitalize on an all-inclusive trip, but it's important to note what's actually included. Many college students fall prone to this when looking for the cheapest trips without doing real research. Make sure to note if certain restaurants or drinks are left off the all-inclusive.
Travel Clubs
In many cases consumers will first get a phone call saying that they won a free trip or flight then will ask the person to go to a convention center to learn more about getting the discount vacation. The club will take down credit card information and soon consumers will be paying upwards $200 for a membership. Only problem is the so-called discounts are usually the same prices listed elsewhere. For those who want to be the first to know deals, sign up directly with airlines or hotels to be on their email lists.
Airport Baggage Carriers
Sometimes it's best to suck it up and carry your own luggage when arriving off a plane. Oftentimes people will offer to carry luggage (or worse just grab it) then ask for inflated prices. There are also cases of carriers grabbing the luggage and bolting for the door. It's best to either carry luggage personally or have it picked up by your hotel.
Free Flight Trips
Many companies will give away free trips. These trips are often given away for viewing timeshares or other vacation getaways. The catch with these trips is that the airfare is free, but travelers are locked into staying at specific resorts. The resorts can often be the most expensive and out of the way.
