How to tell a legitimate flight agency from a scam

The internet is flooded with websites offering flight deals that seem too good to be true. Unfortunately, many of them are. While there are excellent independent travel advisors and reputable online travel agencies (OTAs), there are also “agencies” that take your money, fail to issue a ticket, and disappear.

Here is how to protect yourself and identify legitimate travel operations.

Red Flag 1: They charge your card but don’t give you a ticket number

A legitimate agency will issue your ticket (often through an ARC-accredited partner) within 24 hours of payment. You should receive a 13-digit e-ticket number. An airline confirmation code (a 6-character alphanumeric code) is not a ticket. If you have a confirmation code but no ticket number, you do not have a guaranteed seat.

Scam agencies will take your money, provide a “booking reference,” and then call you back days later claiming the fare “expired” and demanding more money.

Red Flag 2: Hidden or opaque fees

Legitimate travel advisors charge for their expertise, but they do so transparently. You should know exactly what the agency is charging you for their service, and what the airline is charging for the fare.

If an agency gives you a “bundled” price and refuses to break down the airfare versus their markup, they are likely hiding massive fees. At TravelQuest, we guarantee you will see two line items before you pay: the airline’s fare, and our separate service fee.

Red Flag 3: Aggressive sales tactics and “expiring” deals

Flight prices change constantly, but a legitimate advisor will never pressure you to give them your credit card over the phone immediately to “secure” a deal. You should always be given a written quote to review.

The Honest Approach

At TravelQuest, we believe trust is earned through transparency. That’s why we never take payment until you have reviewed and approved a written quote.

Ready for a better booking experience? Request a quote today.