4. A passenger who buys their airline tickets from an unregistered seller of travel will not be able

In view of the alarming low cost airline tickets paris los angeles number low cost airline tickets paris los angeles of our Kababayans who were victimized by the so-called “airline ticket travel scams” (some of whom were even interviewed by Balitang America, KUSI News, ABC10 News, etc.), we are publishing the following important pointers in order to avoid becoming victims of such a scam:
1. Deal only with legitimate travel agencies with valid California Seller of Travel Registration Certificate (CST). They must have a Seller of Travel Registration Number (SOT No). Be sure to check and see if the travel agency’s California Seller Of Travel Registration Certificate is still valid. Registration must be renewed annually. This is the best way a passenger can be protected in case the travel agency defaults in their promises.
2. Additional warning signs to this is if the travel low cost airline tickets paris los angeles agency or agent does not even have an office that has a valid business license, claiming “that because he/she has less overhead, low cost airline tickets paris los angeles he/she can sell airline tickets less than those with bigger overheads.”
3. The CST Registration Certificate is distinct and separate from the regular Business License issued by the City Hall. The absence of either low cost airline tickets paris los angeles document does not allow one to operate a travel agency or act as a travel agent in San Diego OR in California.
4. A passenger who buys their airline tickets from an unregistered seller of travel will not be able to obtain restitution from the TCRC funds should anything go wrong or should the travel agency or agent defaults in their promises. The other alternative of course, is by going to the Small Claims Court for legal remedies.
5. There is a hefty fine and imprisonment in case a person is found to be selling low cost airline tickets paris los angeles airline tickets or travel without registering themselves first with the Attorney General’s Office. Under the law, an agent who accepts payments in whatever form (cash, check or credit card) must have a valid CST Registration Certificate first. Being a sub-agent of another CST registered travel agency OR consolidator, does not exempt that person from securing this certification first before openly selling airline tickets to the public.
low cost airline tickets paris los angeles 7. The fact that we are now in an era of “Electronic Tickets” or “E-Tickets” or “Ticketless” has given rise to “con artists posing as travel agents ”whose real motives are not really low cost airline tickets paris los angeles to do business but simply to take advantage of our poor Kababayans who are not familiar with all these new airline procedures.
8. Basically, there are two stages in airline ticketing process, Booking and Ticketing. Booking is simply the first stage, the reservations process. What these “con artists” does is show you that you have been booked low cost airline tickets paris los angeles after they collect your money. They give you a “trip itinerary” showing you that you have “confirmed reservations” but that’s just about it, nothing more. In a matter of days, this booking will expire and will become useless.
9. One red flag to this scheme is if the travel itinerary document given to you does not even have the name and contact low cost airline tickets paris los angeles information of the travel agency. Secondly, is if travel agency or agent insist that you pay only using “cash” or “check payment.” Obviously, it is more easier for “con artists” to pocket your hard earned money than using your credit low cost airline tickets paris los angeles card. Though the latter is not also a guarantee that you won’t be duped by such “con artists” (which will be explained in No. 14 below).
10. The second and final stage is the Ticketing process. Usually, this is done by the travel agency or agent immediately after accepting the actual payment from the passenger. This is because no bona fide travel low cost airline tickets paris los angeles agency or agent would want to lose profit in case the price increases so suddenly. A final trip itinerary must be given to the passenger with the travel agency’s name and contact information; the passenger/s’ ticket numbers; the passenger’s record locator or airline reference number; the airline’s contact information; in addition to the other basic information that the passenger must know. “Con artists” will not show you these information so as not to leave any “identity low cost airline tickets paris los angeles or trace” at all.
11. The best way to find-out if you were actually “ticketed” is by calling the “1-800” number of the international airline that you are flying. If the airline low cost airline tickets paris los angeles says you are not ticketed then that means you are not ticketed at all. Whatever your travel agency or agent says, the final word will always be the airlines’ word. Make sure that you were actually ticketed based on the dates and times that you agreed upon.
12. Another “modus operandi” that “con artists” can do nowadays is ticket you “one way” only although you actually paid for a “round trip ticket.” In the absence of any hard copy tickets, you can be misled that you are holding a round trip E-Ticket. Again, the best way to find-out is by calling the “1-800” number of the international carrier that you are flying and ask them if you have a confirmed round trip airticket.
low cost airline tickets paris los angeles 13. But don’t let your guard down. Because this “con artist” can still cancel your “round low cost airline tickets paris los angeles trip E-Ticket” afterwards replace it instead with a “one way E-Ticket.” A frequent call to your international carrier using their “1-800” number will alarm you in case this happens. This is why It is always a good practice to “reconfirm” your flights within four (4) days prior to your departure and return dates, call again in between these dates.
low cost airline tickets paris los angeles 14. Earlier we mentioned that using a credit card does not guarantee that you will not be scammed by these “con artists.” This is because these “con artists” can also use your credit card to buy another airline ticket for another passenger. And by the time you know it, the “other unknown” low cost airline tickets paris los angeles passenger has already left the country and the consolidator who issued the ticket gets penalized with a “charge back.” This “charge back” is supposed to be paid by these “con artists” who are now nowhere in sight.
15. Which brings us to the point that the only way you can really avoid these travel scams is by diligently searching for a true and professional travel agency that you can deal with. One that has been in the travel business the longest time with a very good solid reputation. One that you are most comfortable to deal with because low cost airline tickets paris los angeles he/she is knowledgeable in all aspects low cost airline tickets paris los angeles of travel. low cost airline tickets paris los angeles And as mentioned earlier, low cost airline tickets paris los angeles one that has a physical office low cost airline tickets paris los angeles with all the regulatory credentials to back them up.
16. It is equally important that you must know who the real owner of this travel agency is, what are his/her background, what are his/her credentials, how long has he/she been in the travel business (not in any other businesses), were there numerous complaints against this travel agency in the past? Take note that most of these “con artists” were previous owners or employees low cost airline tickets paris los angeles of another scrupulous business in the past and that they are merely changing their business name to continue with their illegal activities. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Business low cost airline tickets paris los angeles Review can be a good source of reference since they are rating companies from A+ (highest) to F (lowest) based on their own Standards for Trust, even if they are not BBB accredited. Simply type in the name of the travel agency you have in mind the city it is located. It’s that simple.
17. Needless to say, all “con artists” will not dare comply with these basic regulatory credentials for fear of being identified and penalized by the law to the fullest. They simply want to use the travel industry as a means to steal other people’s money.
18. Some of the tell-tale signs are: 1) “Travel Agents” carrying other business low cost airline tickets paris los angeles names other than the word “Travel Agency.” This is because they don’t want to be caught penalized by the DOJ. In the real business world, there is no such thing as “jack of all trades” because in reality “they are masters of none.” 2) Don’t just rely on “cheapest or lowest airfares” as your basis for choosing the “right travel agency low cost airline tickets paris los angeles or agent.” low cost airline tickets paris los angeles Studies have shown that most of those who were scammed were only after the “cheapest price.” Always low cost airline tickets paris los angeles remember the saying that “if it’s too good to be true, most likely it is.” 3) No office, low cost airline tickets paris los angeles no travel agency sign, and no computerized reservation system. Without these basic components, there is no way a travel agent can deliver what he/she promised. So how do you expect this “travel agent” low cost airline tickets paris los angeles to perform? Are you sure this is the kind of “agent” you are willing to entrust your hard-earned money? Do you really believe he/she can deliver all the promises he/she told you simply because he/she is your Kababayan?
19. Choose a travel agency or agent “who will stick with you through thick and thin.” This means that your travel agent must be there from the time of your reservations up to the time you return from your trip. Any problem or complaints against the airline before or during your trip must be brought to the attention of your travel agent who in turn, must be able to bring this to the attention of the airline top management. Do not choose low cost airline tickets paris los angeles a travel agent who is only good in collecting your ticket payments.
20. Choose a travel agent whom you can really count on, especially during emergency cases. Just like choosing a good doctor, your travel agent must be there, whenever you need him/her and must be well experienced, knowledgeable and ready to assist you in fixing a problem, low cost airline tickets paris los angeles especially if it concerns low cost airline tickets paris los angeles airport check-in problems, etc., just to name a few of the problems you might encounter before, during, after your trip.