There’s a lot of talk in the media about the increase in consumers shopping online this Christmas and I am sure the same will happen come January, when we are all looking to book our holiday. The main fear about booking online is security, so here are a few tips:

Paying

When entering the booking page the browser should show a padlock or the web address will start with https:// this means that the page is secure. Look out for security logos on the website which will certify that the site is secure, e.g. Verisign secured seal.

When you have paid make sure you check your credit or bank account regularly to ensure that 1) the correct payment has being withdrawn and 2) that there are no suspicious payments have been taken from you.

Reputation

Make sure you use a company that has a good reputation and if you have any concerns search Google for the company name for any negative comments. If the company is based in the UK then you can search companies house database to see how long they have been trading.

Look out for travel association logos, i.e. ABTA, TTA, AITO, ATOL etc and visit the association’s website to check if they really are a member.

Check privacy statements

We all assume that our personal data is going to be secure and any reputable travel company will display its privacy statement on the site, which will detail how it will use, collect and store your personal information.

If the site does not have a privacy statement, contact the company and ask them why.

Word of Mouth

Ask family and friends if they have booked online, and who they booked with as this will make you feel more confident about booking online. Join a travel forum and read the experiences and advice from consumers who have booked online.

I personally believe that you should go with your gut instincts, and if you have any concerns about booking online, most companies will have someone at the end of the telephone to guide you through the process.

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