Escaping with your Priorities
Author: Fatima Vanker
When sparkling dreams recede with the ebb of the waves and the shimmering seas are now a smudge in the distant horizon, the disappointment of having been scammed out of your holiday is dreadful.
While the best way in my opinion is booking your holiday DIY, I still get many Dm’s enquiring “who did you book with?”
Travellers choose to book with agencies for various reasons, be it the convenience of having all arrangements being taken care of, lack of time (its like a full time job planning a holiday) or maybe a bit of self-doubt in that you may mess up making a booking.
While many agencies have been promoted by celebrities and influencers alike, it has become glaringly apparent that these endorsements and experiences by even people you know, cannot guarantee a seamless experience.
In this article I share 8 tips to help you avoid being scammed by a travel agency.
8 tips when contacting a potential Travel Agency:
1. If a travel agency is advertising much cheaper than others, it’s either a scam or they are advertising falsely to get an enquiry in the door.
2. Any travel agency should have an affiliation with either IATA or ASATA (ask for the paperwork and run if they can’t produce this).
3. Check Tripadvisor or look for reviews or comments from customers, however this is not the best fool proof way as people have had wonderful trips by scammers, as we have seen of late.
4. Ask if the travel agency would issue the e-ticket and accommodation vouchers immediately after payment. That means that the travel agency pays suppliers immediately after you pay. If the travel agency only promises to send you the vouchers a few days before your travel run. It means that the money is sitting in their account being spent on things other than securing your bookings with the supplier. So if the unimaginable happens and they do liquidate, you still have your vouchers and can travel if you are furnished with the travel vouchers immediately.
5. Check with the accommodation etc. that the booking was made.
6. A well-run travel agency won’t have debt. Debt occurs when when the suppliers are not paid when the client makes payment. A service is being sold and as clients pay, the supplier is paid, hence no debt.
7. Pay by credit card and not EFT. Your bank can then cover for you if something happens.
8. Try to DIY as best as you can. This way you have complete control over your bookings.
I hope this article has provided you with the guidance to navigate the vast ocean of travel agencies with confidence and clarity. As you embark on your next journey, may your choices be informed, your adventures be boundless, and your memories be ever-lasting.
| Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general guidance for readers who are considering booking their holidays through travel agencies. Readers should understand that while these tips might mitigate some risks, they do not guarantee a faultless experience with every travel agency.
Each travel situation is unique, and travelers should conduct their own research and exercise due diligence when selecting and booking with an agency. Endorsements and affiliations mentioned, such as IATA and ASATA, are specific examples and might vary by region or country. There might be other reputable affiliations that a travel agency could be part of, which are not mentioned in this article. Always ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of each booking platform or service provider you engage with when doing your D.I.Y bookings. As always, individual experiences may vary, and travelers should trust their instincts and be thorough in their own inquiries. The publisher (Halaal Travels) and the author (Fatima Vanker) cannot be held liable for any disappointments, losses, or inconveniences experienced as a result of actions taken based on this article. |
About the Author:
My name is Fatima and I live in Johannesburg. I’m a mum of 3 and I am an educator and a High School Department Head at the school that I work at. I love reading and travel and can be an adrenalin junkie. You may visit my Instagram page @fats.v