Archived News Releases

October 13, 2004

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Tips Help Avoid Surprises and Additional Costs

The Consumers' Bureau advises Manitobans planning their winter vacations to investigate travel offers carefully to help avoid unpleasant and costly surprises when on vacation.

The bureau cautions that mail and Internet vacation prize and price offers that sound 'too good to be true' often contain hidden costs.

To help safeguard holiday plans, the Consumers' Bureau advises travellers to follow these tips:

When making holiday plans:

• Examine all details of the travel package and make sure you understand what is included.
• Verify specific arrangements and the total price.
• Ask about cancellation or change penalties.
• Get the complete name, address and telephone number of any business you don't know. Check to see if it belongs to a professional association or the Better Business Bureau.
• Examine reports about the company at http://www.bbbonline.com.
• Carefully examine timeshare offers, travel clubs and travel memberships. They may seem attractive but could be subject to increased charges and fees over time or difficult to sell later.
• Be wary of travel offers received in the mail or by phone.
• Consider the total costs when all upgrades and purchase conditions are included.

Before leaving on vacation:

• Confirm all arrangements for travel and accommodation.
• Check documentation requirements, immunization recommendations and travel reports for your destination at the Foreign Affairs Canada website at http://www.voyage.gc.ca.
• Consider travel insurance, especially for health services. Information from Manitoba Health is available at https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/guide in Section 2 When you're outside of Manitoba.
• Some insurers may also offer default coverage in case an airline or resort suffers a financial setback and cannot deliver its services.

While travelling:

• Keep copies of all information and receipts.

When you return:

• Check your credit card statements carefully.
• Immediately report any unauthorized account charges to your credit card issuer.

Manitoba's Consumer Protection Act provides for the investigation and mediation of consumer complaints and provides protection for goods and services purchased online. Manitoba law also protects against the loss or theft of credit cards or credit card information.

The Consumers' Bureau offers assistance to consumers who have encountered problems while travelling. After you return, contact the Consumers' Bureau at 945-3800 or toll-free in Manitoba at 1-800-782-0067 for assistance.

For additional consumer tips, visit the Consumers' Bureau's website at:

https://www.gov.mb.ca/finance/cca/consumb or http://www.consumerinformation.ca.

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