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Q: I’m about to max out on time off that I’ve saved up, so I was thinking of catching a flight soon to see the folks. I’ve seen a lot of online ads for cheap flights being available, but I’m not sure if I can trust them. Also, I heard a while back that they extended the Real ID deadline, so I think it’s fine for me to fly even though I haven’t gotten it yet. I loathe the complications involved with travel plans, so some simple and to-the-point advice would be much appreciated; thank you in advance.
A: Thank you for writing in. To begin with, as of this week, the California Real ID deadline is currently May 7, 2025 (source: dmv.ca.gov). Other than that, it’s good to hear that you’re planning to take some time off. Using your vacation time to reduce the risk of fatigue or burnout is important. I’m sure many others like yourself are looking to take some time off, which might involve booking flights online. Because of that, here’s some advice from Better Business Bureau when it comes to booking online flights:
Do your research. If you come across a company you haven’t dealt with before, research it before making any purchases. Look on BBB.org for reviews and feedback from previous customers.
Purchase from the source. Purchasing your tickets directly from the airline rather than via a third party can help ensure that your purchase is legitimate.
Double-check the URL before you enter personal and payment information. Clicking on a sponsored ad or imposter website without notice can be easy. Before entering sensitive information, double-check that you are on the right website and that the link is secure. (Secure links start with “https://” and include a lock icon on the purchase page. Learn more at BBB.org/BBBSecure.)
Be wary of third-party websites. Some websites appear to offer a legitimate service but are only fronts for a scam. Be suspicious of websites with no working customer service number or physical address. Typos and grammatical errors can be indications of a scammer’s handiwork.
Make online purchases with your credit card. Fraudulent charges on a credit card can usually be disputed, whereas that might not be true with other payment methods. Unfortunately, there is no way to get back the personal information you may have shared.
As always, if you encounter any fake sales websites or businesses, report them to BBB using BBB Scam Tracker (BBB.org/ScamTracker). This lets BBB and others in similar situations know that potential customers should avoid these scams.
