Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Watch Out for This New Travel Scam

Locations in this article:  Chicago, IL

hotel roomI’m going to start this one with a warning: guys, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

When someone says you can save on travel IF you pay them upfront, don’t walk…run. Do not pass go, and certainly do not collect $200 and then hand it over to them.

The latest travel scams out there involve so-­called travel clubs.

In Chicago, a company called Global Discovery Vacation Program was charging people $8,000, plus almost $400 a year in fees. They claimed that members could get discounted stays at vacation properties.

But when people tried to collect those vacations, nothing was available, or if it was, it was a shoddy apartment.

In Colorado, Sea to Ski Vacations charged people as much as $9,000 a year for discounted packages. Except the agents didn’t really have access to deals—they just booked on Priceline and Expedia.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again: Do your due diligence.

Check with the Better Business Bureau. Talk to previous customers. Now, say it with me: if it sounds too good to be true…

For more information, visit the Money, Currency & Credit Archives.

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