Plan your perfect getaway
Plan ahead, skip broad searches, and get every trip detail in writing before you pay. BBB's tips help you save money and avoid scams.
How to plan and book a trip
The best way to plan a trip is to book early, research every travel business on BBB.org, get all trip details in writing, and pay with a credit card.
Read the tips
Avoid hidden travel fees
Even a carefully planned trip can come with extra costs. Learn how to spot hidden travel fees buried in the fine print before you book.
Book a vacation package wisely
Vacation packages bundle flights, hotels, and activities. Know what's included, what's not, and what to ask before you commit.
Know your travel insurance
Travel insurance can protect your trip, but coverage varies. Read the fine print so you know what a policy covers before you buy.
Find a good travel agent
A good travel agent can save you time and stress. Learn how to find one you can trust and what to ask before you hire.
Tips for flights, cruises, and road trips
Before you fly, cruise, or rent an RV, research the company on BBB.org and read the fine print. Free offers and rentals often come with costs that aren't obvious up front.
Fly safely on your vacation
From finding flights to arriving safely, these tips help you navigate air travel with fewer surprises.
Check that free cruise offer
A free cruise offer may come with port fees, taxes, and other costs. Find out what's really included before you pack.
Rent an RV or camper
Thinking about a road trip in an RV or camper? Compare RV classes, tour the vehicle, and plan where you'll park before you rent.
Buy the right camping gear
Heading outdoors? Get tips for buying camping gear that fits your trip and your budget.
Tips for hotels, rental cars, and timeshares
Book hotels directly or through trusted sites, confirm your reservation before you arrive, and review your bill at checkout. Research rental car companies, car sharing apps, and timeshare sellers on BBB.org before you sign anything.
Book a hotel room wisely
Find the right room at a fair price. BBB's step-by-step guide covers searching, booking, your stay, and checking out.
Before you buy a timeshare
Many people buy a share of a vacation home instead of the whole thing. Know what to look for before you purchase a timeshare.
Rent a car with confidence
Renting a car can be a convenient way to get around. Check out BBB's tips for a smooth rental from pickup to return.
Rent through a car sharing app
Car sharing apps let you rent a privately owned vehicle by the hour or day. Know the rules and protections before you book.
How to avoid travel scams
The most common travel scams are fake vacation rentals, free trip offers with hidden costs, phony booking sites, hotel scams, and timeshare resale cons. Book with trusted businesses, never wire money, and pay with a credit card.
Top 5 vacation scams to avoid
Vacation rental cons, fake free trips, and booking site scams can ruin a trip. Learn the five most common vacation scams and their red flags.
Spot airfare scams
Scammers send fake flight cancellation notices to get your money. Know the signs of an airfare scam before you share your card details.
Avoid hotel booking scams
Lookalike hotel websites trick travelers into paying for rooms that don't exist. Confirm you're on the real site before you book.
Spot a vacation rental scam
Some con artists pose as vacation rental owners and ask to be paid outside the rental platform. Learn how to spot this scam.
Keep your devices safe
Phones, laptops, and tablets hold a lot of personal information. Keep your devices and data secure while you travel.
Avoid passport renewal scams
Lookalike sites charge fees for passport renewal forms that are free from the government. Learn how to renew safely.
Avoid TSA PreCheck lookalikes
Renewing TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS? Scammers build lookalike sites to collect your fees and personal information.
How to buy event tickets safely
To buy event tickets safely, buy from the venue or the official seller when you can. If you use a reseller, check it on BBB.org, pay with a credit card, and watch for lookalike websites.
What to do if something goes wrong while traveling
If something goes wrong while you travel, file a police report for anything lost or stolen, contact your card issuer right away, and reach out to your nearest embassy or consulate for help abroad.
Apply for or renew your passport early, and watch for passport renewal scams.
Enroll in or renew a trusted traveler program, such as TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS.
Check travel advisories and health requirements for your destination.
Tell your bank and card issuers where and when you're traveling.
Lost passport abroad: file a police report and contact your nearest embassy or consulate.
Lost driver's license: file a police report and contact your state's motor vehicle agency. TSA may still let you fly if it can confirm your identity another way.
Lost credit or debit card: contact the issuer right away and freeze the card.
Victim of a crime, arrested, or sick or injured abroad: your embassy or consulate can help you find services and contact family.
Check your statements for charges you didn't make, and dispute them with your bank.
Left something behind? Call the hotel, airport, or airline as soon as possible.
Feel sick after an international trip? Contact your doctor and share where you traveled.
Resources for U.S. travelers
CDC destination health information and after travel health tips
Office of Overseas Citizens Services: (888) 407-4747 from the U.S. or Canada, (202) 501-4444 from overseas
Resources for Canadian travelers
Find trusted travel businesses near you
Search BBB.org for hotels, rental cars, travel agencies, and other travel businesses near you. Check ratings, read reviews, and look for the BBB Seal before you book.
Travel FAQ
Fake vacation rentals, free trip offers with hidden fees, third party booking site scams, hotel scams such as fake front desk calls, and timeshare resale cons. See the top 5 vacation scams.
Talk to the owner by phone, look up the address online to confirm the property matches the listing, and book with rental companies you've checked on BBB.org. Read more about rental scams.
When possible, yes. Booking with the hotel or its chain's official website confirms your reservation is real. Double check the web address before you pay. Get hotel booking tips.
File a police report, then contact the nearest embassy or consulate to replace your passport before you return home. See travel emergency resources.
Buy from the venue or official seller when you can. If you use a reseller, check it on BBB.org, pay with a credit card, and verify your tickets. Get your ticket buying tips.
Had a problem on a trip?
Report a travel scam to help protect other travelers, or share your experience with a travel business.