As the National Football League playoff season winds to a close and the Super Bowl approaches, sports fans around the country will be looking for travel bargains and packages for the big game…
As the National Football League playoff season winds to a close and the Super Bowl approaches, sports fans around the country will be looking for travel bargains and packages for the big game. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) offers some recommendations for fans evaluating travel packages on the Travel Tips and Consumer Info sections of its consumer Web site, TravelSense.org.
Every year, we hear reports of sports fans whose travel plans were ruined by a questionable organization with an offer that sounded too good to be true, said ASTA President and CEO Kathryn W. Sudeikis, CTC. A good travel agent knows which questions to ask and what to look for in a legitimate sports travel package. Many people aren`t aware, for instance, that under the U.S. government`s `Truth in Ticketing` rules, a tour operator advertising a Super Bowl travel package that includes a flight and game tickets must have the game tickets in hand or have a written contract for the tickets before they can even advertise.
Following some simple advice and asking a few questions can help ensure that fans` Super Bowl dreams more resemble the thrill of victory than the agony of defeat, said Sudeikis.
Sporting events present an opportunity for disreputable tour operators and travel scam artists to defraud sports fans of millions of dollars each year. ASTA offers the following guidelines to help consumers minimize risks when booking tours in conjunction with special events:
- Make sure when booking a sports package that the arrangements include tickets to the desired sporting event.
- Book tour packages through a travel agent or tour operator affiliated with a professional organization, such as ASTA. For example, ASTA is the only travel trade association with a Consumer Affairs department that can mediate some disputes for consumers and ASTA member travel agents.
- Make sure the tour operator participates in a consumer protection plan. ASTA has created the Tour Operator Program (TOP) to help travel agents and consumers identify ASTA tour operators that meet certain standards. The criteria require that the tour operator be in the business of operating tours for the past three years; have a $1 million Errors & Omissions (E&O) policy naming travel agents as additional insured; and adhere to the ASTA and TOP code of ethics.
- Get information about the tour package and tour operator in writing. Read the information carefully and ask your travel agent to explain all the details.
- Be extremely skeptical about postcard and phone solicitations saying you`ve been selected to receive a fabulous vacation.
- Consider paying by credit card. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, credit card customers have the right to refuse paying for charges for services not rendered. Details of the Fair Credit Billing Act can be found at the Federal Trade Commission`s Web site at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fcb.htm.
- Only give out your credit card number if you initiate the transaction and you are confident about the company with which you are doing business.
- Be sure to get complete details in writing about any trip prior to payment. These details should include the total price; cancellation and change penalties, if any; and specific information about all components of the package.
- If you insist on calling a 900-number in response to a travel solicitation, understand the charges and know the risks.
- Walk away from high-pressure sales presentations which don`t allow you time to evaluate the offer, or which require that you disclose your income.
- Be suspicious of companies requiring that you wait at least 60 days to take your trip.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
