Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

1/15/13 [RICO]

Vacations should be relaxing. Worrying about tickets, time and money isn’t. No matter where you’re headed to, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Like knowing exactly where you want to go, what you want to do once you get there, and, maybe most importantly, how much you want to spend. Late changes can cost you extra time and money, so while some changes are unavoidable, good planning may take care of the rest.

And, while a registered travel professional can make travel planning easier, an unregistered travel agency can make you wish you never left home.

In Hawaii, a travel agency registration is required to sell travel services, including transportation, by air, sea, and rail, ground transportation, hotel accommodations and package tours. To find out if an individual or company is registered to provide travel services, or to check for prior complaints, call the Consumer Resource Center at 587-4272. This information is also available on our website at www.hawaii.gov/dcca/rico

So, ask if the travel agency is registered. And, be extra cautious of anyone who only accepts cash or insists that you pay in full months ahead of your scheduled trip.

Make your payment to the travel agency, not to an individual salesperson, and, if possible, use your credit card. If anything goes wrong, the Fair Credit Billing Act gives credit card users some protection if you need a refund or an adjustment.

Lastly, be sure to save copies of any cancelled checks, travel package itineraries, receipts or other supporting documents you may have.

For more information on these and other topics, visit the State’s website at www.hawaii.gov/dcca/rico or call the Consumer Resource Center at 587-4272.

Have a great trip and don’t forget the sunscreen!