Red Flags to Spot Before Booking Your Vacay

Buyer beware: Travel insiders help you steer clear of ripoffs, scams and horrible service.

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Published January 16, 2026
Kruttika Susarla

What’s a lesson you learned from a bad experience during vacation that you can share to help other travelers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Planning a vacation is something many of us look forward to months or even a year in advance. It’s an exciting time, as it means that you and your girls or family will soon be kicking back for some much-needed rest and relaxation. However, booking your trip can also come with some less-than-fun moments.

A study released in 2023 by third-party travel platform Booking.com revealed that as artificial intelligence (AI) advances, so does the number of scams originating from faulty websites and other booking red flags—not just on travel websites but across all platforms. Marnie Wilking, the brand’s Chief Security Officer, told Sisters, “Online phishing and fraud are not new, nor are they unique to websites like Booking.com. These kinds of attacks are a persistent reality that companies across a wide range of industries, including travel, have to contend with in our increasingly digital lives. ”

“We have been consistently enhancing and extending the robust measures we have in place, designed to limit the opportunities that bad actors could use to take advantage of our customers and mitigate impact. For example, in 2023, we detected and blocked 1.5 million phishing-related fake reservations, but in 2024 this number dropped to 250,000— indicating successful deterrence,” Wilking further explained. 

Sheree Mitchell, founder and president of Immersa Global says, "If you can’t find any reviews, or the ones you do find are all amazing, be careful. Real businesses usually have a mix of feedback; no one gets it 100 percent perfect every time.”

As a savvy traveler, recognizing the red flags is crucial to safeguarding your time, money, and peace of mind. Sheree Mitchell, founder and president of Immersa Global, the first American-owned and operated full-service destination management company (DMC) in Portugal, has become well-versed in identifying and avoiding similar issues.

For over 20 years, Mitchell has leveraged her skills to curate bespoke travel experiences and events for high-net-worth individuals. Based in Portugal for the last decade, she and her team have become experts in crafting immersive, tailor-made itineraries that offer privileged access to people and places rarely available to the average person. Her work has further led to her being named a Travel + Leisure Expert for Portugal for four consecutive years.

“Because we manage every aspect of our clients’ programs in-house, from design to execution, we are constantly evaluating platforms, service providers, and booking channels,” Mitchell shared with Sisters. “This gives us a deep understanding of where common mistakes and pitfalls occur. Sometimes, we’re also the “plan B” when clients try booking complex trips to Portugal by themselves online, but resort to using a professional instead.”

Below, Mitchell helps us delve into the telltale indicators and provides ways to verify the legitimacy of bookings, empowering you to plan your next adventure with confidence.

Travel-Booking Red Flags

Poorly designed or outdated websites

It’s 2025, and every brand and business should strive to have an up-to-date website free of broken links or incorrect information. “A website that looks like it hasn’t been updated since the early 2000s is a red flag,” Mitchell explained. “Quality businesses know their website is the first impression and take the time to make it look good and function properly.”

Too good to be true pricing

As the adage goes, “if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.” When it comes to booking your vacation, the sentiment is no different. Yes, we all want to snag a deal and save a few dollars, but we also have to use reasonable judgment when we come across prices that seem lower than usual. “You’ll either be surprised by hidden fees later, or you won’t get what you thought you booked,” Mitchell said.

Zero or suspiciously perfect reviews

These days, travel companies rely on customers to leave reviews to attract future customers. With sites like Google, Tripadvisor and even Yelp, we’re able to get first-hand glimpses of what real people experienced at places that are on our radar. “If you can’t find any reviews, or the ones you do find are all amazing, be careful. Real businesses usually have a mix of feedback; no one gets it 100 percent perfect every time.”

Vague or hidden terms and conditions

“If you have to hunt to find the cancellation or refund policy, that’s a big red flag. Clear, upfront policies show that a company is being transparent, not trying to trap you.” Additionally, be diligent about reading the fine print, even if it’s a bit lengthy or includes jargon that may seem a little confusing. Have a close friend read behind you to ensure you are 100% clear on all terms before putting any money down or entering personal details.

Missing or unclear contact information

Nothing is worse than finalizing your trip and not having a real person to reach out to with questions or when something goes wrong. “If you can’t easily find a phone number, email, or even a physical address, that’s a problem. You want to know there’s a real person or team you can reach if something goes wrong,” Mitchell concluded. “Never book large trips through platforms that only accept wire transfers or payment apps.”

Other Things to Consider

While the above red flags are certainly a great start to help ensure you don’t run into serious issues during your planning, Mitchell lets us in on a few additional things that you should consider when booking through websites:

Be extra careful with unsolicited deals: Many mature travelers receive “exclusive” travel deals via email, phone, or social media. If you don’t have an existing relationship with the organization and you didn’t seek it out, be skeptical. Scammers often target this demographic with promises of free cruises or deeply discounted trips.

Always use a credit card for booking travel: Credit cards typically offer much better protection than debit cards or bank transfers if you need to dispute a charge. Never book large trips through platforms that only accept wire transfers or payment apps.

Consider travel insurance, but know what it includes: Travel insurance can be beneficial, but not all policies are the same. Many travelers assume that all policies automatically cover cancellations, medical expenses, or trip interruptions, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Make sure that you understand what is and isn’t covered.

 

DeAnna Taylor is a criminal defense attorney turned travel writer, author, and senior level editor. The Charlotte, NC native has touched all 7 continents, traveled to over 40 countries, and even lived and worked in South Korea. Her passion lies in educating others on how to see the world. IG: @brokeandabroadlife.