Must-known facts before choosing holiday package

Under the consumer protection law, you have the right to expect and get what you deserve from the holiday that you booked and paid for. The tour operator or the travel agency through whom you book your package holiday is liable for all the services including cab hire, hotel accommodation and flights that he offers in the package.

Also, if your holiday gets spoilt by the tour operator for any reasons, including wrong transport, sub-standard hotel, unhealthy meals, issuing tickets without seat, last-minute overcharge or any other such breach of trust, then you are eligible to challenge this malpractice at consumer redressal forums as well as the court of law.

However, even though the law stands by your side, it is applicable only when your holiday has been spoilt and then you go complaining about the agent or the agency. Hence, prevention, of course, is the only way to save your holiday. It is recommended that you choose your travel agency carefully and double-check your tickets as well as accommodations booked by the travel agent. Call the airline, railways or cruise companies to confirm your tickets are in your name and the rooms too are reserved for the right date and time in the right person’s name.

In this article, we bring forth some of the cases where consumers have faced problems and the judgment of the consumer court in that regard.

Cruising Nightmare    

With popularity of cruises due to their reduced rates, unscrupulous travel promoters are succeeding in cheating people with the promise of huge discounts. When you get an unsolicited call that you have won a ‘free trip’, you should investigate thoroughly.

Common complaints about this type of free or discount cruise offers include.

Hidden fees: Once you book a cruise, double-check hidden charges such as port fees, taxes, registration fees, service, charges and other surcharges that the agent may not tell you about.

Different amenities: Once you arrive on the cruise ship, you find that it lacks the features you were promised.

Not free after all: Sometimes the promoters of ‘a free cruise’ ask you to pay extra fees immediately on arrival at the ship and that too through credit card.

What Can You Do?

1. Cruise offers that come through unsolicited calls or by spam mails are more likely to be fraudulent. Do not think twice before saying ‘not interested’ on the phone and unsubscribe from the spam mails. Don’t let them pressurize you.

2.  Whenever possible, purchase cruise services from agencies that are genuine and have a credible name. Best is if they are recommended by friends or family.

3.  Take your time and do not be lured by ‘pay now and get discount’ offers. If you are pressurized to make quick decisions, chances of fraud are more.

4. Get all the details in writing, duly signed by the authorized person from the agency or the travel company. Insist on a complete description of the cruise – accommodation type, food quality and frequency as well as the cruise ship type.

5.  Check out similar tour packages with other legitimate travel agencies and services providers.

6.  It is always better to pay by cheque (many may not accept it) or credit card to keep record of payments. Never pay by cash, even if they try luring you on the pretext of tax benefits.

7.   If you encounter problems during the cruise, lodge a complaint with the cruise company/agency in writing and get a copy signed from them as proof of receipt of compliant. Remember: of you complain after the cruise is over, your chances of claim or legal assistance will be bleak.