{October 14, 2010} VICTORIA, BC - With the school year now underway, parents may soon start hearing from their children that they want to participate in school trips.   As with all consumer purchases and especially travel, there are some key points that parents, and students, should keep in mind.

Look at the Pricing
Research the pricing details to find if this is the best deal.  A trip that is promoted as a travel package does not necessarily mean that it is cheaper than other travel options.  

Be Aware of Who You are Paying
Who is the money for the trip being paid to and how is payment being made?  Some credit cards will reimburse you if the travel services are not provided due to a business failure.

Find Out if the Trip is Organized by the School
Contact the school to find out if this is a school sanctioned trip.  School sanctioned trips have specific requirements for supervisor levels and codes of conduct.  

Read the Fine Print
Look at the advertising material to find out what kind of activities are being offered.  Is the emphasis on social activities or education?  Will adequate supervision be provided?  To make an informed decision, you may want to be clear about the trip’s purpose, get a schedule of events or ask for additional information about the qualifications of the chaperones.

Look to See if the Travel Agent is Licensed
All travel agents in British Columbia must be licensed by Consumer Protection BC.   When you book with a licensed travel agency you have the added protection of the Travel Assurance Fund.  Search for licensed agencies on our website.

Dealing with Peer Pressure
Students can feel pressure to participate in events. Simple statements such as “we only need one more to join for the trip to happen” or “you will be the only one not going” can influence decisions.  As a parent, you may want to talk to other parents you know to hear what they are thinking.  If someone you know has a child who went on a similar trip, speak to them about it. Checking with the school is always a good idea.

Avoid Surprises and Disappointment
Ask about the cancellation and refund policies.  Take the time to shop wisely, knowing what you are purchasing will ensure there are no surprises for the parents or disappointment for the students.

Consumer Protection BC is a not-for-profit corporation that was created to strengthen consumer protection in BC and enforce consumer protection laws. We balance the interests of all parties to promote a marketplace that is fair for both BC consumers and businesses. We license and inspect specific industries, respond to inquiries through our inquiry centre, investigate alleged violations of consumer protection laws, and educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities under the law.  

For more information about our organization, please look through our corporate website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.