A hotel in Brazil targeted by a promotion "not to be missed", a flight Paris-New York whose price seems unbeatable ... Do you want to book your next holiday in France or abroad online? You will have to avoid some pitfalls. Summary of tips and tricks to navigate serenely between Internet scams.
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Check that the website is reliable
That seems self-evident. But in the euphoria of finally booking your flight, or in the rush not to miss an attractive offer, you may forget to check the security of the site you have chosen to organize your next vacation. However, this step is essential.
There are several ways to do this. You can enter the name of the site followed by the word "scam" in the bar of a search engine to investigate potential precedents. In addition, several pitfalls are to be avoided. Thus, do not just check the customer reviews on the site. These can be false positive evaluations. Also look carefully at the URL of the site: scammers can, when imitating an official site, change it almost imperceptibly (only one letter is sometimes changed). The site you are on can visually look like two drops of water to the official site: only the URL will tell you if you are on the right one.
A tedious but effective option is to scrutinize the site's legal notices. Mandatory in France, they must appear in one place or another. If you can't find them, there's eel under the rock... In the same vein, it must be possible to consult the general conditions of sale. Often, they are located at the very bottom of the home page. Also check the "contact" page of the site: an e-mail address and/or telephone number must be reachable.
Also, be very attentive at the time of payment. The moment you draw your credit card, a closed padlock should appear in the URL bar of the site. Alternatively, the site's URL may change when you pay from "http://" to "https://" – this "s" stands for "secure". Several resources, such as who.is – which lists the main information about the website whose URL you enter – or the FranceVerif extension, can also guide you.
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Find out about the accommodation you want to book
If you choose a hotel, take the time to compare reviews on several different sites. Also take a close look at photos uploaded by past customers. Resist the prompts ("booked twice in the last 24 hours", "only three rooms available on our site") that push you to book quickly: if, after your search, the hotel is no longer available on the site where you are, you can always try to call the establishment directly.
Same thing if you opt for a platform for renting accommodation between individuals, such as Airbnb or Abritel. Check the reviews posted on the platform. Also, feel free to chat with the host if you have any questions. In general, for more guarantees, you can also book your accommodation directly on the website of the tourist office of the place where you are going.
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Book your flight smartly
What about your flight? Scams in the strict sense of the term are rarer in the air. However, a few precautions will help you avoid unpleasant surprises. In addition to comparing prices (between the different flight comparators and by going directly to the airlines' websites), put yourself in private browsing (or change support) when you consult the evolution of the cost of your flight.
Also prefer a reservation directly on the airline's website. Last tip: avoid connecting flights – if you miss a flight if the previous one is delayed, you may not be refunded.