Snagging one last getaway before Labor Day sounds like an end-of summer treat, but if you spot a bargain from an online travel agency, do a little homework before you hand over your money.
A survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association found that 23% of consumers reported being duped by a third-party travel reseller in 2017. While the AHLA has a vested interest in persuading consumers to book directly with its member airlines and hotels, there’s little question that some information on third-party sites is confusing at best and misleading at worst.
Some online travel agencies quote prices for a hotel stay that don’t include taxes and other fees, such as resort or destination fees, says Chris Elliott, founder of Elliott.org, a consumer advocacy organization. Some hotel websites omit this information, too, Elliot says.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Pay attention to possible search engine optimization tricks that allow online travel agencies to rise to the top of web searches, Elliott says. You should also be wary of sites that sort by price. The cheapest rate shown typically doesn’t include taxes and fees, says Robert Cole, CEO of RockCheetah, a consulting firm.
-
How to Turn Your Retirement Dreams into Reality (Despite Your Fears)Stressing over shrinking savings, rising healthcare costs, or losing your purpose can give you chills, but smart money moves can lead to financial freedom and a happy retirement.
-
Figma IPO: Should You Buy FIG Stock?The Figma IPO has plenty of buzz building around it, with the design software company expected to start trading next week.
-
How to Find the Best Alternatives to Popular Travel DestinationsYou don’t have to bust your budget or battle big crowds to enjoy pristine natural beauty, rich culture, authentic cuisine and more.
-
Seven Golf Course Destinations to Vacation Away from the CrowdsBeat the growing crowds of new golfers at these golf course destinations off the beaten path.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
The United and JetBlue Partnership: Everything We Know About Blue Sky So FarBlue Sky, the United and JetBlue partnership just announced, will give frequent fliers more ways to earn and use miles. Here's what you need to know.
-
Struggling with How to Plan a Trip? These Companies Will HelpTravel Plans Sit back, relax and let the professionals handle the logistics.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
