Get the best vacation deals, without getting scammed
Aloha! I’m so excited. I just booked a trip to Hawaii. I scored a great hotel, a fabulous room and a knockout price (hello, extra night free!), so I figured there’s no better time to share my tricks.
And, because cyber creeps are everywhere, I have travel scams to warn you about, too. Let’s book your summer vacay or upgrade the one you have the right way.
Ask and you shall receive
Booking a hotel online is easy, but don’t do that. The best way to find a deal and score the perfect room is to drop by the hotel’s website, look for specials, then pick up the phone. Call the hotel — not the main reservations number, but the specific property.
I saw a “get the fourth night free” promotion on the website. I always ask for the room number that gets the most requested. I want no elevator sounds, no pool noise, no ballroom music and no long hike to get to my room.
Now, this is interesting. I first called Amex to book the room. They couldn’t get the free night from the hotel, so I booked directly. Then, I called Amex to take over the reservation. That means I got the credit card amenities — free breakfast, free room upgrade, late checkout and $100 credit during my stay. Mahalo!
🌴 Pro tip: When you book on the phone instead of through a website, you’ll probably get a better deal than online (and better customer service).
Keep tabs on your stuff
Lost luggage will ruin your trip. Lots of major airlines, including United, American, Delta and Air New Zealand, let you track your luggage in real time through their official app, so download that before you hit the road.
🌴 Pro tip: Searching the app stores can lead you to copycat apps. Go to your airline’s official website and look for a link to their app in the header or footer.
I throw an Apple AirTag in checked bags for extra peace of mind.
- AirTags are ideal if you have an iPhone, Mac or iPad.
- The Tile Essentials four-pack comes with enough tags for your keys, wallet, luggage or whatever else you want to track. Nice option for Android.
You’re the target
It’s hard to think of a worse start to your trip than realizing the flight, car or rental you thought you booked doesn’t exist. Scammers are pulling those tricks right and left. Here are a few booking rules of thumb:
- Book your flight directly through the airline or on a site you’ve heard of before. If you use a new-to-you site with a smokin’ deal, call the airline after your purchase to confirm your tickets are, in fact, real seats on the plane. Better safe than sorry.
- Pay with a credit card. You have a much better chance of getting your money back than if you use a debit card. If a site asks you to pay in cryptocurrency, via wire transfer or with a gift card, it’s a no-go.
- Get the terms in writing. Any legitimate travel site will have a full terms and conditions section, including details on cancellations and refunds, but slapdash scam sites might not.
Pro tip: You’ll generally find the best flight prices if you shop on a Sunday and travel on a Wednesday.
✈️ Worried about taking a Boeing plane? Plug in your flight details at AmIFlyingOnABoeing to find out. Not sure that there’s anything you can do about it, but at least you know.
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Tags: airline, Android, app, Apple, apps, book, car, deals, iPhone, phone, scam, scammers, scams, Target, travel, upgrade
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