How to Avoid Spring Break Travel Scams

Spring Break is right around the corner.

One of the busiest times of the year for travel.
 
But if travelers aren’t careful, they could be left in the cold if they fall prey to a hot deal that turns out to be a scam.
 
Everyone wants to find the best deal. But that’s the problem.

Experts tell us to lower the price, the greater chance it’s a scam.
 
 If you want get out of the cold and find some sun during spring break, the prices won’t be the cheapest.

It’s up to $800 just for airline tickets, and a $150 a night for a room.

So if you see an online banner or a postcard in the mail advertising free hotel rooms over Spring Break, watch out.
 
“If it’s a place where a lot of people are going and you see an incredible deal, that’s what would throw up the red flag for me right away,” says travel agent Tod Ganje.
 
Ganje says those deals could be scams.

If you fall for them, you could end up without a flight or a hotel.

That’s hardly good news for a broke college student looking to get out of town.
 
It looks like students at NDSU don’t fit that stereotype of college kids who go down to Cancun or Florida for spring break.

The only guy we could find who’s going out of town is visiting his grandparents, but he says he did do his homework before he booked his trip.

Caleb Sell is flying to Phoenix.

He bought his ticket direct from the airline.
 
“Pretty easy”, he says. “I went on the Allegiant website. Looked around trying to find the best deals, and I ended up finding out that the Allegiant website fit me best.”
 
Ganje says it’s best to use a trusted source to book your trip, or at least do some research.
 
“Even sometimes just googling a company name,” he explains, “you might find something if somebody has something positive or negative to say about it.”
 
If you use your debit card, scammers can take money straight from your checking account.

Credit cards are more secure.
 
Ganje says, “If they have not delivered what they promised to give to you, then you’ve got a right to go back to your credit card company and make a dispute.”
 
But if you’re careful, and you safeguard yourself, you can escape the cold of the upper Midwest, if only for one week in March.
 
Travel agents say discounts will virtually be non-existent during the Spring Break week.

If you want to travel cheaper, try going during a quieter time, like the week after Spring Break, or right when classes get out in May.