Know who you are booking with
You can book directly with a resort, through a travel agent, through an online travel site or as part of a package with flights. Each has different terms, and the company you pay is the one you deal with if something goes wrong. Before you pay, note the company's name and how to reach it.
Type addresses yourself or use a bookmark rather than following links in ads, emails or texts. Look-alike websites copy real resorts and booking sites, with an address that differs by a letter or two. Check the address in your browser bar before entering payment details.
Pay in a way that protects you
- Use a credit card where you can. In many countries, credit cards give you a way to dispute a charge for services you did not receive. Rules vary, so ask your card issuer what protection applies.
- Never pay by wire transfer, gift card, payment app or cryptocurrency to someone you have not checked. These are hard or impossible to reverse, and scammers ask for them for that reason.
- Be wary of deals well below every other price for the same resort and dates, especially if they come with pressure to pay quickly.
Read the terms before you pay
The terms on the payment screen are the ones that count. Read them for:
- The total price, with taxes and every mandatory fee.
- The deposit, the balance and when each is due.
- The cancellation deadline, including its time zone, and how refunds are paid: cash back or a credit.
- What happens if the resort changes or cancels your booking.
- Whether your room type, bed setup or accessible room is guaranteed or only requested.
Take a screenshot or save a copy of the terms and the final price.
Common booking scams
Watch for emails or messages that claim to be from a resort or booking site and ask you to "confirm" a card, pay a balance through a new link, or move a conversation to a different app. If you get one, do not use the contact details in the message. Contact the resort using details you found yourself, and ask whether the request is real.
If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank or card issuer straight away, then report it to your national consumer protection or fraud reporting agency. In the US that is the Federal Trade Commission.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance can cover cancellation, medical costs abroad, lost bags and delays, but policies differ a lot. Read what is covered, what is excluded and what proof you would need. Pay attention to pre-existing conditions, weather, and activities such as skiing or diving. If you have questions, ask the insurer before you buy.
Travel documents and rules
Entry rules, passport validity requirements and visa rules change and differ by country. Check your destination's requirements with your government's official travel advice and the destination's official government sources well before you travel. Check health requirements the same way.
Questions to settle before paying
Keep a trip file
Keep confirmations, receipts, the saved terms, insurance documents and any written answers from the resort in one place, on paper and on your phone. A week before you travel, confirm the booking directly with the resort.