A worry for many people who book their own holiday is being clear that it is secure in every regard. Research by ABTA and The Travel Association revealed that one in three internet users do not authenticate the travel provider they use with one fifth failing to check whether the website is secure when paying for their holiday.
This prompted a government-backed campaign known as Get Safe Online to warn holidaymakers of the risks as the last thing any of us want when we book our dream holiday is to deal with problems which are out of our control.
When you consider the problems that have been caused by strikes, ash clouds and snow-storms, holidaymakers have had a great deal to put up with lately – so, what can you do to make sure your booking is as secure as it can be?
Take Out Travel Insurance
Confirm that the travel insurance policy you have is adequate for your destination, activities and everyone in your party. Sometimes events happen that disturb your holiday plans such as a cancellation, severe weather or your illness. Having insurance can cover these circumstances and won’t leave you out of pocket. Allianz Global Assistance protects against many unforeseen events that may affect your trip. It also gives you that peace of mind!
Research on the Internet
Research before booking and investigate your holiday and travel arrangements by using search engines. Check out the area and its reputation. Ensure that any holiday or travel company which is unfamiliar to you is reputable by searching for them online and read reviews from previous customers if necessary.
Book on a Credit Card
Using a credit card to book generally offers additional financial protection over other methods. Before entering payment card details on a website, confirm that the link is secure in three ways:
There should be a padlock symbol in the browser frame, which appears when you try to log in or register. Be sure that the padlock is not on the page itself as this may indicate a fraudulent site.
The web address should start with ‘https://’. The ‘s’ stands for ‘SECURE’.
When using the latest internet browsers, the address bar or the name of the site will turn green.
Keep receipts for all online holiday or travel bookings and payments as evidence. Print off your confirmation pages and emails and keep them with you in case you are charged incorrectly or misled.
Go To a Holiday Company
Going into a well-known travel agent can ensure that your holiday booking is secure. Some also offer extra protection if your holiday is cancelled, they may charge booking fees but at least the holiday will be confirmed.