As the days get shorter and the temperatures start to drop, you might find yourself dreaming of a change of scenery. Maybe it’s a week somewhere warm, a winter getaway closer to home or a trip to visit family over the holidays.
Whatever your travel plans look like this winter, it’s worth taking a few extra steps before you book to protect your investment. Here’s how to make informed travel decisions and understand the consumer protections available when booking through a licensed travel business in BC.
1. Check if your travel agent is licensed
In BC, travel agents and travel wholesalers that provide travel services to the public must be licensed by Consumer Protection BC. This includes businesses operating online.
Booking with a licensed BC travel agent or wholesaler gives you access to certain protections under BC’s travel industry laws, including the potential to make a claim through the Travel Assurance Fund (TAF) if you pay for travel services but don’t receive what you purchased.
Before booking, you can use our search a license tool to check whether a BC travel business is licensed.
2. Know what you’re booking
Before paying for your trip, take a moment to review the details. Make sure you understand:
- What’s included in your booking, such as flights, accommodation and transportation
- Your travel dates and itinerary
- The total cost and any outstanding balance
- Any cancellation, change or refund terms that apply
When you purchase travel services through a licensed travel agent, you’re also entitled to a receipt with important booking details, including the business’s name and licence number, the amount paid and a description of the travel services.
Keep your receipt, contract and booking confirmations somewhere easy to find. They may be important if you need to follow up about your booking.
3. Watch for red flags when booking online
Not every travel deal you find online is what it seems. Before entering your payment information, take a moment to research the business.
Watch out for:
- Prices that seem unusually low compared to similar offers
- Requests for unusual payment methods, such as gift cards or cryptocurrency
- Websites with limited or questionable contact information
- High-pressure sales tactics encouraging you to book immediately
If something doesn’t feel right, pause and do some research before committing.
4. What if you don’t receive the travel services you paid for?
Imagine arriving at your destination only to discover that the accommodation you booked doesn’t exist, or finding out that the travel business you booked through has closed.
If you booked with a licensed BC travel agent or wholesaler and didn’t receive the travel services you paid for, the Travel Assurance Fund may be available as a source of compensation.
The fund is a last resort, meaning you’ll need to first try to obtain a refund through other available sources, such as your travel agent, credit card provider or travel insurance provider.
It’s also important to know that the fund doesn’t cover every travel-related problem. For example, it doesn’t cover bad weather, natural disasters, missed flights, changing your mind or dissatisfaction with the quality of travel services.
Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you think you may qualify, visit our travel services page to learn more about the fund and the steps to take before submitting a claim.
A little preparation can go a long way
Whether you’re trading BC’s rainy winter weather for sunshine or planning a getaway closer to home, taking a few minutes to research a travel business and understand your booking can help you feel more confident before you go.