ALBANY — State residents are being reminded of their rights as the summer travel season heats up.
Travel disputes remain one of the top complaints handled by the state’s Division of Consumer Protection. DCP handled hundreds of complaints last year from people who had to cancel or reschedule their travel plans due to COVID-19.
As more New Yorkers travel again, consumers need to be informed of their rights, shop smart to safeguard their hard-earned money and stay vigilant to protect themselves from scams, state officials said.
“With flight cancellations and airport overcrowding on the rise, planning ahead and being prepared is the best way to avoid travel headaches,” Secretary of State Robert Rodríguez said in a press release. who oversees the Division of Consumer Protection. “If you plan to use air travel to support your travel plans, planning for cancellations and delays and building more time into your itinerary could save you frustration and money.”
There are basic travel tips consumers should keep in mind when booking travel:
n Plan & Expect cancellations and delays. Pack a change of clothes, electronic device chargers, and snacks in your carry-on to help with travel interruptions. A cancellation that affects your return home will require additional resources, budget for an extra day or two to sustain until you can get home.
n Book tickets early in the morning. You will have more options to arrive on time at your destination.
n Consider traveling to a larger airport. Larger metropolitan airports offer more direct flights than regional airports. Direct flights avoid missed connections and cancellations in a city outside of your origin or destination city.
Consumers should always weigh the factors of a trip before purchasing, including price, location, activity availability, and cancellation policies. Also consider if the location has any Covid-19 restrictions, such as testing or vaccination status, before booking travel.
To obtain a secure digital copy of your immunization record and/or negative COVID test result, you can retrieve your Excelsior Pass Plus here.
n Get all confirmations in writing.
To protect against scams through deal changes, consumers should always get confirmation of plans in writing, whether they book online, over the phone, or in person. Retailers are required to disclose the terms and conditions to consumers; Always receive a copy of the agreement and keep it for reference.
n Beware of “all-inclusive” or too-good-to-be-true deals.
All-inclusive deals sound great, but they can have hidden charges and fees in their terms and conditions. Consumers may not even be aware of such fees until checkout, when their bill is higher than advertised. Sometimes these offers come with an agreement to join a membership or participate in a presentation.
n Always be aware of mandatory fees that may not appear in the advertised price, such as resort fees and taxes. Read the fine print when taking advantage of an all-inclusive offer.
n Evaluate the benefits of paying with your credit cards. Credit cards often offer more protection than paying with cash, check, or debit card. Some credit card companies also offer benefits like travel insurance or concierge service while you travel and may offer additional protections if your trip is cancelled. Check with your credit card company about the conditions for reimbursement of travel expenses.
n Review your travel agreements.
The New York State Truth in Travel Law protects consumers from fraud, false advertising, misrepresentation and other abuses. Travel agents and promoters must provide consumers with written disclosures of all terms of travel service within five days of purchase or agreement.
Consumers should review the terms of the agreements fully upon receipt and make sure they align with what the consumer purchased. Consumers have until midnight of the third business day after receiving the agreement to cancel. Consumers may also cancel at any time during the five-day period before receiving the disclosures.
n Use reputable travel agents/tour companies.
Consumers should do their research thoroughly before choosing an agent or company to work with. Keep track of arrangements and contracts, and review terms and conditions, especially cancellation and refund policies. Reservations often require a deposit that may be non-refundable.
If the trip is cancelled, the deposit may only be applied to future trips or forfeited entirely. Consumers should make sure they understand the policy before making a deposit.
n Consider travel insurance and whether you need a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy.
Travel insurance can offer consumers relief from emergencies before or during their trip, with coverage ranging from incidents of lost luggage to missed connections and potential medical emergencies.
However, most standard travel insurance policies do not cover trip interruption or cancellation due to COVID-19 because such standard policies generally exclude coverage for an epidemic, pandemic, or similar public health event.
Some travel insurance plans offer ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage at an additional cost, which is often substantially higher than standard travel insurance and typically only allows reimbursement of up to 75 per cent of the traveler’s expenses. if the trip is cancelled. Before you buy a plan, review the terms of the policy and ask your insurer about coverage that may be excluded.
When all or part of a trip is cancelled, the cancellation policy and the consumer’s right to a refund will vary depending on the laws that regulate the company’s industry, who initiates the cancellation, when the cancellation is made, and the company’s own policy. business.
According to the US Department of Transportation, airlines must offer refunds, including the price of the ticket and any optional fees charged, for canceled or significantly delayed flights, even when flight disruptions are beyond their control. . If an airline isn’t doing that, consumers should report it to the US Department of Transportation.
If consumers cancel a reservation for any reason, they will be subject to the refund policy agreed upon at the time of purchase, which may be no refund.
n Reimbursement options for cruise lines may vary depending on the company involved. The cruise ticket contract sets forth the company’s cancellation policies and your rights. For example, you may be offered a refund, credit, or coupon for a future cruise. If you opt for a credit or coupon, make sure the expiration date is far enough away for you to use it. Read more from the Federal Maritime Commission about consumer rights and the resource that may be available to you.
n Cancellation policies of hotels, motels, and online lodging marketplaces can vary widely, even within the same company, based on season, room type, or length of stay. Some may offer a choice between a non-refundable or refundable rate when booking. Make sure you fully understand the cancellation policy before making a reservation.
If a consumer is having trouble obtaining a refund due for all or part of a canceled trip, they are encouraged to file a complaint with DCP.
The Federal Trade Commission warns against common travel scams. Some signs of a travel booking scam include:
n You have “earned” a free vacation. Scammers sometimes lure consumers with a free ride, but then reveal fees or deposits to gain access. A prize must not include spending money and is likely to be a scam.
n The details of your trip are vague. Consumers may be offered a stay at a five-star hotel or on a luxury cruise line, but then few details about the trip are presented. Always confirm and review the company name and location of the trip details.
n You have a limited time to accept the offer.
Scammers often pressure consumers to make quick decisions about an offer, so the consumer may not have time to research the offer. Never feel pressured to agree to terms you haven’t reviewed on your own.
n You must pay in an unusual way.
Cryptocurrencies, wire transfers, and gift cards are hard to trace and perfect for scammers looking to take advantage of consumers. These types of payments make it difficult for consumers to recover their losses. If a travel company insists that you pay in one of these ways, decline the offer and sue the company.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unable to reach a resolution on their own. T
The Consumer Help Line 1 (800) 697-1220 is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. to 4:30 p.m. m. Consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection.
For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media on Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
