Travel Smart Tips

As holidays and summer approach, many people make travel plans. Before you book your next trip, check out the following travel tips.

• Get recommendations. Ask your friends and family which companies they used for their trip and how they rated their experience. Check online reviews to find out how other people rated the service and prices of airlines, hotels, restaurants, rental car companies and more.
• Check out the company. In Florida, non-exempt sellers of travel must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) each year. View the Sellers of Travel Guide to find out if the seller is registered with FDACS and if any complaints have been filed against them.
• Read the fine print. A signature on a contract indicates acknowledgement and acceptance of the terms and conditions. Once you sign, you may not have a right to cancel. Be sure to read the entire contract thoroughly and ask questions. Do not sign if you have any doubts.
• Pay by credit card. It gives you more protection than paying by cash or check. If you don’t get what you paid for, you may be able to dispute the charges with your credit card company.
• Be cautious of fraudulent travel offers. Be skeptical of unsolicited mailings, emails or telephone calls claiming you’ve won a “free” trip. Often this is a ploy to obtain personal and/or financial information. You may be told you’re responsible for taxes/fees or you may be persuaded into buying more products or services.
• Know the cancellation and refund policies. Emergencies happen and you may have to cancel your trip. Ask what the cancellation polices are for each part of your trip (hotel, rental car, airline, cruise, etc.). If you aren’t able to cancel for a refund, you may want to consider whether travel insurance is worth purchasing.