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10 Travel Scams You Must Avoid

Extra fees and useless 'deals' abound in travel business

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 19, 2011 3:20 PM CST

(Newser) – Travel agencies and other travel organizations pull many schemes that are unethical without being illegal—so be wary. The Daily Beast presents 10 of the most common scams you should watch out for:

  • Travel clubs. They can cost thousands of dollars, and give you little but a few discounts to some restaurants you'll never use. No thanks.

  • Bogus car damage. When you return your rental car, the shady employee somehow finds some mystery damage to the underbelly of the car that costs just a bit less to fix than your insurance deductible.
  • Resort fees. A common mandatory add-on to your supposedly low hotel rate, for towels or TV use or other nonsense.
  • User-generated reviews. Yes, they're an Internet staple. But travel agencies, hotels, and restaurants have all gotten much savvier and sneakier at manipulating online reviews.
You can read the full list in the Daily Beast.

Beware of travel scams, warns the Daily Beast.
Beware of travel scams, warns the Daily Beast.   (Shutterstock)
A traveler dares to pay for something extra.
A traveler dares to pay for something "extra."   (Shutterstock)
Is that extra offer worth taking?
Is that "extra" offer worth taking?   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
BRothenberg
Nov 19, 2011 7:51 PM CST
Can I throw in Virgin's seat upgrade? Did a bunch of research on that.. seems like a total scam.
 

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