Are You Being Catfished by Too-Good-to-be-True Travel Deals?

You know that feeling when you see a travel deal so amazing your heart skips a beat? That "OMG I could afford a week in Bali for the price of a fancy dinner" moment? We hate to break it to you, but sometimes those deals are legit steals, and sometimes they're actually…stealing. From you.

Take this quiz to find out if you're a savvy travel detective or if scammers see you coming from a mile away. Don't worry – we've all been there, and learning to spot the red flags is part of becoming a smarter traveler!

You see an ad for "5 nights in Paris for $299 including flights!" Your first thought is:

This screams scam. Paris hotels alone cost more than that per night.

Let me check the fine print and see what dates they're talking about.

Maybe it's a flash sale or mistake pricing I can take advantage of?

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

Someone claiming to be a travel agent contacts you via Instagram DM offering exclusive deals. You:

Block and report them immediately - real agents don't slide into DMs.

Ask for their business license number and company website.

Listen to their pitch but don't give any personal information.

Get excited that someone has the vacation opportunity you've been hoping for!

You find a resort deal that requires you to pay the full amount upfront via wire transfer. The booking site:

Is an automatic no. Wire transfers are scam central.

Makes me suspicious, but I'd research the company first.

Seems sketchy, but maybe they're just trying to offer better prices?

Doesn't bother me if the deal is good enough.

A luxury cruise for $99 per person pops up in your Facebook feed. You:

Laugh and keep scrolling. That wouldn't cover the port fees.

Click to see what the catch is, but expect hidden costs.

Wonder if it's one of those timeshare presentation cruises.

Forward it to your friends and start collecting dates.

You're booking a vacation rental that has amazing photos but zero reviews. You:

Keep looking. No reviews are a major red flag in my book.

Reverse image search the photos to see if they're stolen.

Contact the owner with specific questions about the property.

Book it! It might just be a new property.

A travel deal website asks for your passport number "to hold your reservation." You:

Nope out immediately. That's identity theft waiting to happen.

Tell them you'll provide it after you verify their legitimacy.

Feel uncomfortable but wonder if it's normal for international travel.

Provide it because they probably need it for booking flights.

You see flights to Tokyo for $200 roundtrip, but the booking site you've never heard of wants payment in Bitcoin. You:

Run away. Legitimate airlines don't accept cryptocurrency - much less crypto as your only option!

Research the booking site thoroughly before considering it.

Feel torn because the price is incredible but the payment method is weird.

Figure Bitcoin is the future anyway and go for it.

A "free" vacation certificate arrives in your mail requiring you to sit through a 90-minute presentation. You:

Toss it in the trash where it belongs.

Research the company to see if it's a legitimate timeshare presentation.

Consider it because free vacations sound amazing.

Call immediately to book your presentation slot.

If you are human, leave this field blank.

Featured image by Laura España on Unsplash

Information published on this website and across our networks can change over time. Stories and recommendations reflect the subjective opinions of our writers. You should consult multiple sources to ensure you have the most current, safe, and correct details for your own research and plans.

Frayed Passport is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also may share links to other affiliates and sponsors in articles across our website.