AG Nessel Issues Summer Travel Tips

LANSING – As the summer travel season ramps up across the state, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her Travel Tips alert to help consumers avoid common travel scams and stay informed about their rights while vacationing. With many Michiganders planning trips during the warmer months, Attorney General Nessel released a video urging travelers to remain vigilant when booking and taking vacations.

“Summer is the perfect time to create lasting memories with your family, and that experience shouldn’t be disrupted by financial headaches or travel scams,” Nessel said. “A few precautions can go a long way in protecting your plans and your wallet.”  

Whether booking online or through a travel agent, Attorney General Nessel encourages travelers to:  

• Research agents and booking sites: Verify phone numbers and websites independently rather than relying on web search results. Check reviews, seek personal recommendations and consult the Better Business Bureau as well as the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team for information.
• Get promises in writing: Before providing your payment information, request that all agreements be provided in writing, including any special requests or terms.
• Read contracts carefully: Pay close attention to fine print, fees, and service charges, especially for “all-inclusive” deals. Make copies of all documents to dispute any unexpected fees.
• Pay with a credit card: Avoid paying for travel with cash, checks, or prepaid cards. Use a credit card, if possible, preferably a designated travel credit card for booking flights, hotels, and other expenses. Credit cards offer better fraud and cancellation protections than other payment methods.
• Beware of fraudulent listings on vacation rental sites: Scammers can hijack legitimate listings or create fake properties on vacation home rental websites like Airbnb and Vrbo to lure travelers into sending payments for rentals that don’t exist. Always book through verified sources.  

Attorney General Nessel’s alert lists some common travel scams that travelers should avoid, such as:  

• Online Booking Scams: Ensure you are booking directly on the hotel or vacation rental’s official website. Third-party booking sites may charge hidden fees, fail to honor special requests, or even fail to make a reservation altogether.
• “Pizza Flyer” Scam: Flyers slipped under hotel doors that advertise local food delivery may be fraudulent. When ordering, never give your credit card information to unknown sources.
• Fake Front Desk Calls: Scammers may call your hotel room claiming to be from the front desk and request your credit card information due to a “computer glitch.” Always verify by calling the front desk directly.
• Bait-and-Switch Tactics: Be wary of offers with unrealistically low prices that result in additional charges or pressure to buy more expensive services.

Attorney General Nessel also encourages consumers to watch for increased fees and surcharges this season, as some travel-related businesses adjust rates to offset inflation and tariffs. Check all costs carefully, including transportation fares, ferry and parking passes, and ensure season passes purchased prior to any rate increase are still honored. 

Because of the busy travel season during the summer, some delays on bridges and airlines are to be expected. However, airline passengers are entitled to a refund for: 

• Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. Significant changes to a flight include: departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.
• Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.
• Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

Airlines are also required to provide automatic, prompt and complete refunds in the same method of payment used by the consumer to purchase their tickets. 

“With air travel on the rise in the summer, it’s important for passengers to know their rights,” said Nessel, who previously served as chair of the U.S. Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee that evaluates existing aviation consumer protection programs. “Federal regulations ensure you’re not footing the bill for canceled flights or lost baggage.” 

For additional resources, visit Pure Michigan for travel tips within the state. The Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. State Department also provide valuable information for domestic and international travelers.  

If you believe you have been treated unfairly by a business while traveling in Michigan, or have been the victim of a travel scam, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at: 

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

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