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Travel scams are very common, especially during the holiday season. Be cautious of any unbelievable claims by travel agents. These people take advantage of naïve and trusting tourists. A good amount of research is advisable before zeroing in on your travel agent.
When making your bookings, check if the company offering the package is affiliated with any professional traveling association. Do a background check on the company offering any such huge discounts. Get their contact address and visit them. Ask them about the exact details of the package that is being offered. If you are not careful, you may miss out on the fine print. Many travel packages only offer partial discounts on the fare of the ticket. You may have to pay the full amount on other things like accommodation, meals, and local sightseeing. Get references from the company. Talk to any friends who have used their services before.
Take your time in deciding if you want the deal or not. Be careful of anyone who tries to make a hasty sale to you, by saying that the offer is valid “only for today”. Also find out what the company’s refund and cancellation policies are. Most companies will charge you a percentage of the total cost, depending on how early you make the cancellation.
It is best to make the payment by credit card. This way, you can be protected if the company turns out to be a fraud. Be sure to obtain a receipt if you pay by cash.
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