January Travel Deals & Scammers: What You Need to Know

January is one of the busiest months for booking holidays — and unfortunately, it’s also prime time for travel scammers.

Recently, one of my customers nearly lost a significant amount of money after being approached by someone offering a “too good to be true” holiday deal. The business looked legitimate on the surface, with a slick AI-generated shop front, social media ads, and polished posts. But underneath, there was no real travel protection, no ATOL, no clear contact details — and no safety net if anything went wrong.

This is becoming more common. Some deals look incredibly cheap, but once your money is sent, it can disappear just as fast. No refunds. No support. No holiday.

Another growing issue is MLM and pyramid-style travel schemes. You may have seen them online — constant recruitment posts, promises of “free travel,” and even celebrities promoting them. Many of the people selling these holidays have no travel experience, no real customer service, and are focused more on recruiting others than looking after customers.

Travel is one of the biggest purchases you’ll make. It shouldn’t be a gamble.

When you book with a protected travel advisor, you get:

• Financial protection

• Real human support (before, during, and after travel)

• Someone who checks the details, fine print, and risks for you

• Help if flights change, hotels overbook, or things go wrong

And despite what some people think — we’re not more expensive. In many cases, we’re cheaper once everything is included, and we do all the work for you.

So this January, if a deal looks unbelievably cheap, pause and ask:

• Is it protected?

• Who do I call if something goes wrong?

• Is this a real travel professional — or just a shiny online shop front?

Your holiday should bring excitement, not stress. Book smart. Book protected. ✈️

Pros of booking with an independent travel agent