Time is running out and we’ve left booking our Easter vacation to the last minute. Everyone is raving about the bargain they found on an online travel site, so we set off to find that amazing last-minute deal.
Online vacation sites can be a big help in a pinch, but rushing shouldn’t make us overlook a few security details to keep in mind before booking that 5-star hotel at 80% off.
Here are a few basics to watch out for.
1.- Research the online store where you want to book your trip.
Great, you’ve just landed on an online store offering trips at unbelievable prices and you’re already hitting the buy button so you don’t miss out, since only 2 spots are left. Careful! Just as you look for recommendations on products you want to buy, you should look for references on the site where you plan to book your trip. Check comments on social media, forums and review sites. Some sites with trust seals let people who have made a purchase leave a review, so you can see how it went for them.
2.- Watch online travel booking prices
If you’re surprised that every time you visit the website to book your vacation the price has gone up since you last checked, the site may be using IP tracking.
So what is IP tracking?
It means the website you visited detects through your IP address that you’ve been there before and were interested in its services. Since it’s your second or third visit, it raises prices or warns that spots are limited to nudge you into buying.
How can I avoid travel prices going up?
Use multiple devices if you have them. Search on a smartphone or tablet over the mobile network and make the purchase on another device, such as your computer.
While this isn’t a security issue, we think it’s important to look after your wallet too.
3.- Pay for your vacation online securely.
Check whether the site where you’re booking your vacation has a connection that protects your bank details when you pay. To see whether your data will be protected during the transaction, look for a padlock or an Https web address to the left of the address bar. These connections encrypt information and protect it during the transfer. Make sure you pay on the same website, or that any redirect to the payment gateway has the security features mentioned. Be wary of anyone who asks for your details by email.
4.- Use a single card for all your online purchases.
To minimize risk, even with a secure connection, it’s a good idea to make online purchases with a single card. Several banks offer cards designed for online shopping that allow refunds. There are prepaid cards or cards that let you set a maximum daily spend. And for the most cautious, there are alert services to keep track of every amount spent.
5.- Trust seals to secure your vacation.
Trust seals help us verify that the online store where we want to book our vacation is safe. To earn a trust seal, an online store must pass a series of audits confirming that users will always be well served and transactions are 100% secure, so customer data is protected at all times. Some trust seals also let you rate your purchase and leave a review, giving full transparency to their services.
6.- Always keep your antivirus and antimalware up to date.
On our side, to make sure the computer we shop from is protected, we should always have a good antivirus that stops anyone from accessing it and stealing our data. It’s also a good idea to run an antimalware scan to remove plugins that could compromise our data.
7.- Don’t use public Wi-Fi when shopping online.
I know it’s tempting to connect to free Wi-Fi and save on mobile data, but when making any kind of transaction or sending personal information, we should avoid doing so on one of these networks.
These connections are open, and anyone can access the information passing through them. Only someone using a VPN (virtual private network) can keep their data protected on these services.
8.- Keep a hard copy of your online purchase.
Sure, it’s great to have a QR code on your phone or a PDF of your vacation booking, but it’s very important to keep a printed copy of the purchase. If you need to file a claim, you’ll be asked for a printed booking or payment, so get into the habit of printing your online booking.
You never know when your computer might break or your phone might fall in the water, so it’s always best to have a copy of what you’ve booked.
Are your vacation plans all set?
images: www.viajarcontuhijo.com
