With so many travel companies out there, it’s no surprise consumers feel overwhelmed by the multitude of what’s on offer. Its often very difficult to choose which company or deal to go with – especially when you don’t know much about them. So, how do you make sure you’re booking safely online? TravelGround outlines several steps you can follow to ensure your booking process will go as smoothly as the holiday that follows.

1.  Do your homework.

Some travel deals may seem reasonable at first glance. However, you should never take anyone simply at their word. Read the fine print and check what is included and what isn’t, or you may end up paying a lot more than you would if you had organised it yourself (or with a reputable travel agency).

2.  Retain a healthy dose of scepticism.

This goes without saying for those who abide by simple “common sense”, but be extremely cautious of unsolicited e-mail, post, and SMS notification that lures you with the promise of a special vacation (especially if you didn’t enter the competition). Be wary of any companies that require you to pay any fee to process and receive your “free” gift.

3.  Double check Facebook or Twitter Pages

As we all know, anyone with minimal intelligence can create a Facebook or Twitter page, so don’t take the existence of one as law. Check the activity on the page, the number of followers, and the comments and wall posts written by others. Also be sure to check whether the followers and “likes” are, in fact, real people and not fake profiles, pages, or paid likes.

4. Do an online background check

In this day and age, any company worth your time and money should have a website. Let’s face it, these days, companies go out of their way to advertise, so if you can’t find a website, Facebook, Twitter page, or any legitimate details online, consider this a red flag. After all, if no one has heard of them, they’re more than likely a scam.

5.  Read Reviews and Forums

Always check what other people are saying about it online. This includes checking forums and reviews (taking special note of who has submitted the review and whether they have reviewed any other companies). Often scam artists will pay someone to post reviews or they may simply create the fake review themselves. Make sure you check whether the company has already listed as scammers. Chances are, if it is a scam – someone will have already fallen in the trap first.

6.  Get their details

Be wary of companies that don’t have their contact information readily available. Find out the company’s physical address and use Google maps to determine if they really exist at the premises.

7.  Check the photos

When booking accommodation through a travel provider, be sure to check the photos they offer of their establishment. Cross reference these pictures with user submitted photos on TripAdvisor and other reviews to see what you’re really getting, so you aren’t disappointed on arrival.

8.  Avoid subscription deals

Avoid deals that require you sign up for a club or pay a subscription fee.  Often once you have paid the joining fee, you’ll realise the “deals” aren’t anything better than you could find yourself.

9. Follow up

Once you have the final details of your trip (BEFORE payment), contact the accommodation to ensure the reservations have indeed been made.

10.  Always get it in writing

If they insist on doing all communication over the phone, walk away! Often keeping everything verbal is a way scam artists ensure they leave no paper trail behind.  This will make it very difficult to argue your case and get your money back should anything go wrong (a disastrous “he said, she said” situation). Get everything regarding your booking in writing, including the price, cancellation penalties, and specific information about all features of the package.

11. Use your Credit Card

If you’re uncertain about a travel provider, booking with your credit card can give you a lot of protection. Some bank cards will not hold you responsible for charges if a dishonest travel company scams you. Steer clear of a company that only accepts cash up front, or by money orders and wire transfers.

12. Go with TravelGround!

So what’s the answer for all of the above? Go with TravelGround.com!  We have a dedicated 30-person team that handles thousands of online accommodation bookings per month. For the last 5 years, we have been working hard to make booking online as safe and secure as possible. So stress less and book your accommodation with us!

Visit TravelGround.com to view our wide range of accommodations across South Africa!