How to Safely Book Vacation Rentals Online
Holidu Consumer Tip
September 2024
The internet makes it incredibly easy to plan trips and book flights, accommodations, and transport online. However, there are also bad actors: cybercriminals use fake websites and demand direct payments. Here’s how to make sure your dream vacation doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
1. Book on reputable websites
Use well-known and reputable booking platforms like Holidu. Large platforms have strong security measures in place. The Trustpilot seal, along with positive reviews, can also help you choose the right platform.
If you’re not booking through Holidu, check the website’s legal notice. In the EU, websites are required to provide contact details, tax numbers, and commercial registration information. Travelers should verify if there’s a valid phone number and commercial registration or VAT ID listed. However, having a legal notice doesn’t completely guarantee that the website is not fraudulent.
2. Check the price-performance ratio
An unusually low price compared to similar accommodations in the area could be a sign of fraud. If an offer seems “too good to be true,” it’s best to be cautious. A quick glance at similar properties in the desired location can help determine if the price is realistic.
If a rental property also shows availability almost year-round, this could be a sign that it’s a fake listing.
3. Only pay through the platform
Paying with a credit card is generally the safest option, as it always allows for refunds. PayPal is also secure due to its buyer protection. When booking through an established platform, your payment is typically handled by the platform itself. Payments made through Holidu are secure: you pay directly to Holidu or a verified partner. In collaboration with authorized payment service providers, the funds are managed and transferred to the host prior to check-in. If there are any issues with payment, Holidu or the verified partner is your first and only point of contact.
Some payments outside of the Holidu booking process are only allowed if guests are informed in advance. This applies to local taxes or additional fees such as security deposits, pet fees, parking services, Wi-Fi, gym access, or breakfast.
Be cautious of scammers: offers that promise steep discounts in exchange for direct payments outside the platform are often fraudulent.
4. Read reviews
Check reviews and feedback from previous guests. Watch out for unusual patterns like extremely positive reviews and assess whether they seem authentic. A property that’s been listed for a long time with many positive reviews is generally trustworthy. Holidu aggregates reviews from hundreds of booking platforms and also reaches out to guests after each stay to ask for reviews.
5. Check photos and descriptions
Compare the photos of the rental with the description. If the photos look professional but the description is vague or unclear, this could be a red flag. A reverse image search on Google or Bing can help determine if the photos were copied from other websites. It’s common for the same property to be listed on multiple platforms, often with slight price differences. This variation usually falls between 5% and 15%, due to the fee structures of the booking platforms. However, as mentioned earlier, extremely cheap offers are often a hallmark of fake listings.
6. Report suspicious listings
Report suspicious listings to the booking platform immediately and avoid making any transactions. Platforms take these reports seriously and will thoroughly investigate the listings.
Here’s the link to our contact form: https://www.holidu.com/help/contact/form