7 Travel Scams to Watch Out for Before Your Next Vacation (and How to Avoid Them)
Planning a vacation should feel exciting, not stressful. But unfortunately, travel scams are becoming more common and more convincing.
Recently, a fellow travel advisor shared that a scammer actually accessed and altered a client’s reservation. That’s not just frustrating—it can derail an entire trip. The good news? Once you know what to look for, these scams become much easier to spot.
Red flags include:
Urgent language
Requests for login or payment info
Slightly off email addresses or links
Here are 7 travel scams to be aware of before your next trip—and how to protect yourself.
1. The “Upgrade for Cheap” Phone Call
You get a call offering a room upgrade, better view, or added perks for a surprisingly low price. Sounds amazing… but it’s often a scam. Scammers spoof hotel or company phone numbers and try to collect payment or login details.
How to avoid it:
Hang up and contact your travel agent or the company directly using their official website.
2. Fake Customer Service Numbers
You search for a company’s customer service number and click the first result—only it’s a sponsored ad leading to a scammer. Scammers pose as support agents and gain access to your booking.
How to avoid it:
Always go directly to the official website—or better yet, work with a travel advisor so you don’t have to make those calls at all.
3. Phishing Emails That Look Legit
Emails that appear to be from airlines, hotels, or theme parks asking you to “verify” your reservation.
Some phishing links immediately trigger downloads that monitor your activity without you knowing that it is collecting your data over time. Or, the link takes you to a website that looks exactly like the real one and asks you to log in, enter payment info, or verify your account. Either of these can capture anything you type for the scammers to use.
How to avoid it:
Never click links in suspicious emails. Go directly to the official site or contact your travel advisor.
4. “Too Good to Be True” Vacation Deals
Luxury vacations at unbelievably low prices can be fake deals, or have hidden fees, or may be bookings that don’t exist at all.
How to avoid it:
If it feels like a massive steal, take a step back and verify before booking.
5. Fake Vacation Rentals
Especially common on social media or lesser-known websites. Scammers steal photos from real listings and collect payment for properties that aren’t actually available.
How to avoid it:
Use trusted booking platforms or work with a travel professional.
6. Public Wi-Fi Security Risks
Booking or logging into travel accounts on unsecured public Wi-Fi. Hackers can intercept your personal and payment information.
How to avoid it:
Use secure networks, your phone’s data, or a VPN when accessing sensitive information.
7. Social Media Impersonators
Fake accounts pretending to be travel agents or companies offering deals via DM. They mimic real brands and try to collect deposits or personal information.
How to avoid it:
Check account history, followers, and legitimacy before engaging.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
If a scammer gains access to your reservation, they can use your real travel details to make their scam look completely legitimate. That’s when even experienced travelers can get caught off guard. If you ever receive something that doesn’t feel quite right, don’t second-guess it—ask. It’s always better to pause for a moment than deal with a ruined vacation later.
One of the biggest advantages of working with a travel advisor is having someone to double-check anything that feels off—calls, emails, offers, or changes to your reservation.
Because travel should feel exciting, not risky.
