Travel scams have spiked with AI-powered threats. Watch out for red flags to avoid costly mistakes and travel disruptions.
Inflation, tariffs and rising cost of living are squeezing household budgets. As travel plans ramp up, many travellers are eager to score a deal, driven by the thrill of the chase, and the fear of missing out.
Online platforms offer limitless deals. They also provide significant convenience and options for trip planning at anytime and anywhere. However, the rise of scams has made online booking an increasingly risky venture.
New McAfee 2025 Safer Summer Travel Report revealed that young adults are more prone to travel scams than older generations.
One in five Americans encountered a travel scam when making an online booking. “… many still struggle to spot online threats when they appear.”
Marnie Wilking, chief security officer at Booking.com said in an interview at Phocuswright Europe 2025 that they have “seen a rapid increase in phishing” schemes.
The Rise of Travel Scams
Scammers are getting smarter and sophisticated. AI technology and chatbots have enabled them to impersonate real travel agents. Discounts on flights, hotels, cruises, or vacation packages may seem too good to resist.
These sites are often designed to entice you in with bait-and-switch tactics. Deceptive tricks involve fake listings, fabricated reviews, hidden fees (drip pricing), non-refundable charges, and bogus booking. Knowing how to spot the red flags is essential to prevent falling prey to scams.
Replica Hotel Sites
My experience illustrates that even seasoned travellers can be misled when booking online. I was researching for a trip early this fall to a lesser-known city in France and wanted to book a 4-night stay at a reputable chain hotel.
A third-party reseller site, guestreservations.com offered a rate that was $20 cheaper per night than the hotel’s official website and Expedia.ca.
The website listed the hotel’s name as a subdomain, such as hotelname.guestreservations.com. This tactic misled me into thinking I was booking with the real hotel. While the lower price seemed appealing, I was cautious and decided to dig a little deeper.
1. Price Comparison
I first checked the price directly with the hotel and then on Expedia. Both listed the price at $130 CAD per night. On guestreservations.com, the price was $110 CAD per night. Although the lower price was tempting, it wasn’t drastically cheaper, so I decided to investigate further.
2. Cancellation and Refund Policies
All three sites claimed that bookings were fully refundable. This sounded reassuring, but I wasn’t ready to commit until I understood the full terms, especially the cancellations and refunds.
- The hotel’s website had clear cancellation terms and was easy to navigate.
- Expedia also clearly outlined the refund and cancellation policies.
- However, guestreservations.com was dubious.
3. Unclear Terms and Suspicious Ownership
When I tried to find the cancellation and refund policy on guestreservations.com, and was unable to find anything directly on the website. The Terms of Use and Privacy Policy pages had no information about refunds, service charges, or even the company’s ownership.
Instead, the owner of the guestreservations.com was listed as a different entity, getaroom.com, which seemed odd. A quick search of the owner’s site revealed that there was no company information available, raising more red flags.
Googled reviews of the website revealed that guestreservations.com had many negative reviews from past customers who complained about being scammed. The search was conducted in September this year. It appears the site has since been updated with more detailed information, although complaints still persist.
In a Wall Street Journal story on copycat reseller sites, the writer highlighted how guestreservation.com ripped off two travellers. “The trouble is it’s not always easy to tell that you’re going to one of these reseller sites—regulators have called some of their practices deceptive. And the added fees, which can be hefty, are easily overlooked by rushed travelers.”
Related: Voice Cloning AI: Travellers Stay Safe and Learn How to Protect Yourself
The Fake Airline Toll-Free Number
In a separate incident, I called a toll-free number for Korean Air that appeared near the top of my Google search results. To my surprise, an agent was quick to answer my call. It was unusual for an airline, where calls are typically routed through multiple prompts before reaching a live agent.
The agent was polite and seemed to have sound knowledge of the booking process. The conversation quickly took a strange turn when the agent repeatedly asked for my flight booking and credit card details. When inquired about the agent’s location, he claimed to be in Florida.
Sensing something was off, I ended the call and later reported the suspicious encounter to a legitimate Korean Air agent. The toll-free number has since been de-listed, but new ones will appear. These scammers use Google search results to trick you into a phone number that they control.
How to Protect Yourself from Travel Scams
Critical steps and red flags to watch for when booking travel online to safeguard yourself from deceptive practices:
1. Compare Prices and Be Wary of “Too Good to Be True” Deals
- Use reputable comparison sites like Expedia, Kayak, or Google Flights to compare prices.
- If a third-party reseller offers a deal significantly or reasonably cheaper than others, be cautious and do further research.
2. Read the Fine Print
- Always read the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Refund/Cancellation Policies.
- Reputable sites will state their terms clearly and provide customer service contact information.
- Stay away from any site that lacks these details or hides them in obscure sections.
3. Use Secure Payment Methods
- Use a credit card when booking online, as many cards offer some level of fraud protection.
- Avoid wire or bank transfer payments. They offer minimal or no protection if you get scammed.
- Steer clear of agents asking for payment using bitcoin or gift cards.
- Hang up fast if you are being pressured to pay for the booking.
4. Apps and Remote Access
- DO NOT download any app or allow remote access to any of your devices.
5. Book Directly with Hotels, Airlines or Cruise Lines
- Where possible, book directly with the travel provider. They often offer the same or better prices than third-party sites.
- Dealing directly with the provider means you avoid potential third-party service fees or issues.
- Or, book through your licensed local travel agent.
6. Evaluate Reviews
- Read reviews or customer complaints on sites like Trustpilot, or SiteJabber for insight into the legitimacy of a website.
- If you find consistent complaints or negative feedback, move on. A lack of reviews or overwhelmingly negative reviews are huge red flags.
- Positive reviews can be fake and inflated too.
- For a more accurate picture, look for consistency, specific details, and a balance of both positive and negative feedback.
7. Check Ownership Information
- If a site seems sketchy, check the WHOIS records of the domain or search for the company behind the website.
- Should it be a newly registered site with no real history or contact information, that’s a major red flag.
While traveling is a fun and exciting experience, online travel scams are a real threat that can derail your plans. Always be vigilant when booking travel online. Don’t be blindsided by an “unbelievable” deal that could lead to potential risks.
By comparing prices, reading the fine print, checking reviews, and booking directly with reputable providers, you can avoid costly errors and ensure that your travel plans go smoothly.
Stay safe and happy travels!
