Booking travel online? Nine tips to ensure nothing goes wrong
Booking travel online? For that added peace of mind, and to make sure you’re making an informed decision, here are a few tips to help things go smoothly.
1. Look for a TICO registration number
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is Ontario’s travel regulator.
The easiest way to protect yourself against some of the risks involved with booking travel online, is to make sure that the company is a registered travel retailer in Ontario.
If they’re registered with TICO, they’re required to show an Ontario registration number on their website, as well as their address and phone number.
If in doubt, you can search TICO’s database of registered travel agencies, booking websites and tour operators.
To learn more about the consumer protection offered by TICO, click here.
2. Check where your credit card payment is going
When making an online purchase, know who is charging your credit card and how your payment will be processed.
If other companies or travel suppliers are involved, they may not be registered in Ontario.
You only have protection under the Ontario Travel Industry Act, 2002 if you make your payment to or through a TICO-registered company.
3. Be clear on the cost
Are you paying for your trip in Canadian or U.S. currency?
Do you know the total price of your travel services? Are they charging any additional fees?
Ontario travel agencies and booking websites are required to disclose the total price of your travel plans. That means no surprises and no hidden fees.
4. Protect yourself with insurance
Consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance and out-of-province health insurance when you book your trip.
While nobody ever expects to cancel their vacation plans, unexpected situations can happen, and cancellation charges by airlines, cruise lines, hotels and tour companies can be as much as 100% of the purchase price.
TICO-registered travel agencies, booking websites and tour operators are required to advise you of the availability of trip cancellation insurance and out-of-province health insurance during the booking process. The travel agency receipt should indicate whether you purchased or declined insurance.
5. Ensure you have the right travel documents
TICO-registered travel agencies, booking websites and tour operators are required to advise you what travel documents are needed for each person travelling prior to accepting payment for your booking.
Your receipt should include information regarding travel documentation.
6. Track your transactions
Be sure to keep track of all records related to your online booking, including transactions, confirmations, and correspondence as proof of your purchase. Consider printing out the information for all portions of your trip including hotel accommodations and transfers to/from the airport.
7. Read the fine print
Before you book, take a look at the ‘terms and conditions’. Fortunately, many websites won’t let you book until you’ve acknowledged that you’ve read them, but you should be aware of the fine print regardless. Know what their policy is for cancellation, changes to bookings and refunds.
8. Do your research
If you’re going somewhere new, be sure to find out details about the destination, accommodations, and travel provider ahead of time.
Additionally, find out if there are any Government of Canada travel advisories for your destination. Visit: www.travel.gc.ca.
Check the online travel agency’s website for a live chat feature, email address or toll-free number to talk to a travel agent. Travel agents are a great resource to answer any questions you may have to ensure you are making an informed travel purchase.
9. Ensure you have customer support at your destination
Find out what type of customer support the company offers at your destination. Most tour operators have destination representatives to assist travellers with any issues that may arise. Some may have a toll-free telephone number or a live chat feature on their website or app to provide customer support while at your destination.
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Book with a TICO-registered travel agency
To verify if a travel agency or website is TICO registered, check our online directory.
Take the TICO Traveller Quiz to see what type of traveller you are.
Sign up to receive quarterly travel consumer protection email updates.
For more travel tips and information, visit the Smart Traveller Guide.
All travel agencies and websites located and operating in Ontario are regulated by TICO. Registered travel agencies and websites provide additional consumer protection for your travel investment that may not be available when booking with travel agencies and websites based in other countries or provinces. For more information about how TICO helps, click here.
Any questions can be directed to tico@tico.ca or 1-888-451-TICO (8426).
