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Travel
Tips
Federal Trade Commission
How To Gear Up For A Great Trip
Whether you’re off to see the sights, ski the slopes, or
sunbathe on the sand, it pays to be an informed travel shopper.
To help you avoid vacation frustration, the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency,
offers these tips.
Buy your vacation package from a business you have confidence
in. Ask family and friends to recommend a company with a good
track record. Think twice if you can’t get a person on the
phone to answer your questions or if the ad doesn’t give
the company’s street address. Contact the state Attorney
General, consumer protection agency and Better Business Bureau
where you live and where the company is based to see if there
is a history of complaints on file.
Be on the alert for the telltale signs of a travel scam.
Unsolicited faxes or emails for deeply discounted travel packages
promise the world. But the fraudsters behind these offers will
leave you at the gate.
Verify and clarify. Call to verify your reservations and
arrangements. Get the details behind vague promises that you’ll
be staying at a “five-star” resort or sailing on a “luxury”
cruise ship. When you have the names, addresses and telephone
numbers of the airlines, car rental companies, and hotels you’ll
be using, confirm all arrangements for yourself.
Put it on paper. Get the details of your vacation in writing.
Get a copy of the company’s cancellation and refund policies,
and ask “What if...?” Consider whether some form of
travel cancellation insurance may be appropriate.
Use a credit card to make your purchase. If you don’t
get what you paid for, you may be able to dispute the charges
with your credit card company. However, don’t give your account
number to any business until you’ve verified that it is reputable.
Avoid a travel club flub. Ask questions before joining
a travel club. Sometimes, a “free trial” membership
can result in unauthorized charges on your credit card. Find out
what you’ll get for your money and how you can cancel.
Won a “free” vacation? Not
so fast. Scam artists may tell you you’ve won
a “free” vacation, but then claim to need your credit
card number for “verification.” Tell ‘em to take
a hike. If the promotion is legit, you never need to pay for a
prize.
Single parents face several
challenges when it comes to vacationing with their kids - not
least of which is keeping costs under control. Some solo parents
worry they and their children will feel out of place on their
next cruise or at the all-inclusive resort. There are three things
you can do:
- the first is get over it, and be proud of your kids
and what you have accomplished on your own.
-second is travel with a group that caters to single-parent
families or take advantage of travel deals for single parents,
where the majority of other travelers are likely to be in your
same boat.
-third is to pair up with another single-parent family
- maybe you have a sibling or a close friend who is also a single
parent. That way you'll have adult companionship and the kids
will have automatic friends.
Most prices are based on two adults and double occupancy. Obviously
you don't want to pay an adult price for your eight-year old who
eats nothing but chicken fingers and won't be enjoying a poolside
pina colada. So what's the alternative? You could pay the single
supplement for yourself and then pay a kids' fare. There are no
clear-cut answers for saving money here - you just have to do
the math and see what works for you. Single parents might also
want to consider the possibility that booking an individual itinerary,
rather than a package deal, might be the more economical route.
Just don't forget to factor in the costs of food and entertainment.
Booking a vacation rental is an excellent way to save money. There
are no single supplements and you'll likely have more room than
in a resort or on a cruise ship. You'll also have a kitchen so
you can keep the dining out to a minimum. And vacation rentals
aren't just for weeklong stays at the beach anymore - you can
rent homes and villas all over the world, a great way to spend
a week with your kids in Europe, immerse them in the culture and
have a home base all at the same time.
Think about visiting a national park. You need not be the Swiss
Family Robinson - families of all shapes, sizes and leisure preference
enjoy these trips. Best of all, you likely won't have to go far
from home to find a national park or seashore - there are many
more than you probably realize, some perhaps within driving distance
of your home. Even if you and the kids have your hearts set on
a Caribbean cruise or an all-inclusive resort, there are ways
to save. Be on the lookout for single-parent specials - this spring
for example, Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos
are offering all-inclusive vacations that waive the single supplement
and host an adults-only cocktail party for the parents.
Tips for Taking the Kids
-If you plan on leaving the country, make sure you and your child's
passport are up to date.
- Keep in mind that as of December 31, 2005, all travelers will
need a passport to travel to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.
- If you are not the child's sole legal guardian, have the other
parent sign a notarized letter of consent if you plan on taking
a minor child out of the country.
- Carry a recent photo of your child with you on the trip. Each
day, make a mental note of what your child is wearing. This will
be important and useful information if your child gets lost.
- Take all essential items for the children, like medication,
in carry on luggage.
- If you'll be renting a car, consider bringing your own car seat
- chances are it is a better quality and more comfortable than
the ones available from the rental car companies.
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