Booking travel online - Check before you pay!
Booking travel online can make planning a French holiday easy, but fake accommodation listings, cloned websites and fraudulent payment requests can turn a dream holiday into an expensive disappointment.
Before confirming any booking, I recommend triple-checking the website, the supplier and the payment details.
1. Check the website address carefully before booking travel online
- Make sure the URL is spelled correctly and uses the genuine company domain.
- Be cautious of sponsored search results, unfamiliar booking websites and links received by email or social media.
- Look for independent reviews, but remember that reviews can also be fabricated.
2. Verify the property or travel provider independently
- Search for the hotel, château, car rental company or tour operator separately.
- Cross-check the contact details and address against the provider’s official website.
- If something feels suspicious, contact the provider using a phone number or email address found independently, not the details supplied in a questionable message.
3. Triple-check the payment before proceeding
- Confirm the total price, cancellation conditions and booking confirmation process.
- Be particularly cautious if someone suddenly requests payment by bank transfer, cryptocurrency or an unusual payment method.
- Never share passwords, one-time security codes or banking details in response to unsolicited messages.
A final golden rule: If a deal looks too good to be true, take a step back and investigate before paying. A professional-looking website is not proof that a business is legitimate.
At France at Leisure, we encourage travellers to take the time to verify their bookings and use trusted suppliers, or contact us on 1300 302 623 or email at sales@franceatleisure.com.
