Have you already planned your summer trip? If not, you may already be too late to book the specific trip or destination you want.
Travelers are making up for lost time in early 2021 by planning trips after staying home in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
USA Today reported that a new survey by World Nomads, a travel insurance company, found that 66% of Americans are planning summer trips. Of those, about a third have already made reservations.
“I think summer travel is going to explode,” Dan Richards, CEO of travel risk management provider Global Rescue, told USA Today. “Much of the West will be approaching herd immunity, and people will want to travel.”
There’s still plenty of time to plan and enjoy a great summer trip if you’re willing to be a little flexible. The Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania offers the following tips when planning a vacation:
Start looking for information now. Even if you don’t plan to travel until the end of summer, now is a good time to do your research.
The earlier the reservations are made, the better your chances of getting a great deal or choosing the destination you prefer. You also have a better chance of locking in prices and preventing price increases.
Beware of travel scams. Extensive Internet searches, such as “best deals,” can lead to fraudulent websites designed to scam you.
Also beware of phone calls or emails offering “free travel” or sites offering prices that seem too good to be true. In the vast majority of cases, these are scams.
Get everything in writing. Get all the details of the trip in writing before you make the final payment. This should be the total cost, restrictions, trip cancellation penalties, and airline and hotel names.
Also, review and keep a copy of the airline and hotel cancellation and refund policies, as well as the travel agent’s cancellation policy or the booking site used.
Pay by credit card. Paying by credit card provides extra protection if something goes wrong with your trip reservation.
Check out the recommendations. Planning an international trip? Check with the U.S. Travel Association to see if there are any recommendations for U.S. travelers.
