Seek and you shall find
Some 380 prospective Haj pilgrims went to bed thinking they could finally land on the holy grounds of Mecca. Little did they know that Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) would be the furthest they would travel away from home. In July 2022, these Malaysian pilgrims were victims of a fraudulent travel agency.
According to one of the pilgrims, they were given false flight timing to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Even the dates were pushed back several times on the grounds that some documents were still incomplete. The group was never physically shown their flight tickets and visas to perform the Haj. All this while, not a single representative of the travel agency came forward to clarify and solve the complications caused.
Have you ever experienced similar misfortunes? Maybe a little too many times?
Well, that might just be the universe prompting you to stop whatever you’re doing and read what
we have to share on all the red flags to look out for when booking a trip with a travel agency!
How does online travel fraud work?
Fraud is generally a malicious or criminal deception intended to result in personal or monetary
gain. Scammers are always up to date with various online schemes to deviate you from getting
to your destination with a full wallet. These scams work by driving you to potentially malicious
websites that can be used to install malware, steal your personal information and can end up
costing you thousands.
Here are some red flags to watch out for:
When you are online
#1 The website is not secure
The basic rule of thumb when clicking on a link is to check whether there is a closed padlock on the left-hand side of your search bar. If you have an ad-blocker installed, you would be prompted with a warning to proceed with caution on the site.
#2 The site or the payment method is unfamiliar
This is where your subconscious can come in handy. The majority of trusted travel businesses would spend a ton on advertisements from online platforms to trains and buses. So if you feel like you’ve never heard commercials or online posts with the name of that site anywhere or don’t recognise the payment method used, run! Avoid dealing with third-party sites, go straight to a hotel or airline’s website to be safe.
#3 Customer service phone numbers are hidden
Travel agencies are happy to answer your queries. So calling, texting, or even emailing should be a breeze, if you’re contacting established agencies. If it takes more than two clicks to locate some help, do yourself a favour and exit that tab. This unfriendliness could cost you headaches if there were issues with future bookings and travels.
When you’re flying
#1 The legroom isn’t advertised
An ethical airline should provide information regarding legroom even before booking the tickets. This trivial yet important detail shows that they prioritise their passenger’s comfort and flight experience. It also gives you a glimpse of the standards they set for themselves as a brand.
#2 Lost luggage policy
Every traveller’s worst nightmare is losing their belongings that were so meticulously planned and packed for the holidays. A responsible airline will take it upon itself to reunite you with your luggage or reimburse your essentials if you’re ever in that dire situation.
#3 The planes are old
We’ve all heard spine-chilling tragedies of planes that take off and, well never see daylight again. This could partially be due to ageing parts of the plane. Besides safety reasons, smaller bathrooms, tacky cushions and undermaintained features can result in a stressful vacay journey.
#4 There’s no WiFi
Life without wifi is oxygenless. Planes without wifi are birds without wings. Clever airlines would fit their planes with strong internet connectivity because they know this is important for all.
When you are lodging,
#1 The photos are doctored
Firstly, take a good look at the photos of hotels on the website. “Hotels with a good reputation and nothing to hide will ensure that the quality of their photos is professional, accurate and not overly edited,” says Janet Semenova, co-founder of Boutique Travel Advisors. Look beyond what you can see. Sometimes it’s the photos that are not there that speak the truth. Websites should host a gallery of images depicting each room – spanning from the front door to beds to bathroom and closet space.
#2 There have been bed bugs sightings
Nowadays, kind souls have come up with websites that allow you to rate hotels for their bed bug predicaments. Read reviews of the hotel on a couple of websites, you’ll be surprised at the secrets a few clicks can reveal.
#2 High-pressure sales via phone or email
Booking vacation rentals without physical meets are often a convenient method for hotels to ensure that their customers are doubt free of the services provided. Therefore, the policy should be to take care of you, the customers and your needs. Hotels should not be coercing you into confirming a reservation or even hanging up on your requests.
#4 Safety measures are lax
Hotels have policies to protect their customers, thus it’s your right to feel safe and have your belongings secured. Observe the location of the hotel. Keep an eye on the reception desk to see if the hotel staff are careful of who enters and leaves the building.
Now that you know…
Here are some green flags in a good travel agent:
#1 Experience is important
Travelling to a foreign destination can be taxing, considering all the preparation travellers have to make before, during and after a trip. So leaving the actual travelling part to an expert could ease your burden. Experienced travel agencies will always provide the best tour guides and further assistance when asked. Their local expertise in the language, culture and streetwise will give you a wholesome experience.
#2 Work with a professional travel agency
Documentation is a crucial aspect to settle weeks or even months before a vacation. Professional travel agencies should be aware of local and international travel policies and regulations. They can aid you in preparing the necessary passport information, visas, tickets and more. A well-versed agency could even help out with transport and accommodation services too.
#3 Certifications show commitment
These days, social media is the cheapest, fastest and in-demand marketing tool. Travel agencies with aesthetic Instagram feeds and attractive websites clearly put a lot of thought into their brand image. With much success, they should be awarded a couple of certificates and some recognition. However, don’t be fooled by flashy promotions and empty promises.
Travelling is back in the game. As vital as it is for us to spend a day or two away from our bustling lives, it’s paramount that we enjoy a safe getaway. Remember to stay happy and travel safely!
