State Consumer Protection Division offers advice for safe spring …

ALBANY — With the incoming warm weather and spring and summer seasons, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection has some tips and advice to ensure the best experience for your travel plans. State officials said travel involves certain rights, the need to safeguard money and the threat of unique scams. “As warmer weather approaches and New Yorkers begin planning their spring and summer travels, it’s important to be on the lookout for red flags that could derail your trip before it even begins,” said Secretary of State Robert J.

Rodriguez. “Following our tips can help consumers safely book and enjoy their vacations while steering clear of scammers and protecting their hard-earned money.”

Safe travel tips:

  • Plan for possible cancellations and delays. Pack a change of clothes, electronic device chargers and snacks in your carry-on luggage to support travel disruptions.

    A cancellation that impacts your return home will require additional resources, budget for an extra day or two to sustain yourself until you can get home.

  • Book early morning tickets. You will have greater options for getting to your destination on time.
  • Consider traveling to a larger airport. Larger metropolitan airports offer more direct flights than regional airports.

    Direct flights avoid missed connections and cancellations in a city outside of your hometown or destination.

  • Get all confirmations in writing. To safeguard against scams via changes in agreements, consumers should always get confirmation of plans in writing, whether booking online, over the phone, or in person. Retailers are required to disclose terms and conditions to consumers — always receive a copy of the agreement and save it for reference.
  • Beware of “all inclusive” or too good to be true offers.

    All-inclusive offers sound great, but can have hidden charges and fees in their terms and conditions. Consumers may not even be aware of such fees until check-out, when their bill is higher than advertised. Sometimes these offers come with an agreement to join a membership or participate in a presentation.

    Always inquire about mandatory fees that may not appear in the advertised price, such as resort fees and taxes. Read the fine print.

  • Try to pay with a credit card, if you can. Credit cards often offer more protection than paying by cash, check or debit card.

    Some credit card companies also offer perks like trip insurance or concierge service while traveling and may offer additional protections if the trip is cancelled.

  • Review your travel agreements. The New York State Truth in Travel Act safeguards consumers against fraud, false advertising, misrepresentation, and other abuses.
  • Consider trip insurance and whether you need a ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ policy. Travel insurance can offer consumers relief in case of emergency before or during their trip, however, most standard travel insurance policies do not cover trip interruption or cancellation due to COVID-19.

The Division of Consumer Protection also warned to be aware of common travel scams, like being told you have “won” a free vacation.

These scams usually involve hidden fees or necessary deposits, with a limited time to accept the offer or a request to pay the fees in a strange way, such as through gift cards, a wire transfer or cryptocurrency.

asics listed on couponmatrix.ukeufy listed on couponmatrix.ukiceland listed on couponmatrix.ukmaster-of-malt listed on couponmatrix.uktyre-shopper listed on couponmatrix.ukudemy listed on couponmatrix.uk
asics listed on couponmatrix.ukIn sports, certain brands are instantly recognisable like Nike, Adidas and Puma. Another brand with a great history that can be added to that list is ASICS, formerly known as Onitsuka Tiger. ASICS is actually an acronym of the Latin term “anima sana in corpore sano” which translates as "healthy soul in a healthy body", a great mantra to have for any brand that has a large influence in sports and athletics. If you are on the lookout for quality sportswear, sports equipment or great footwear then using an exclusive Groupon discount code for ASICS will help you to find the best deals online.
eufy listed on couponmatrix.ukeufy leads the way in smart home technology, and it’s here to stay! Cleaning is a breeze with the eufy RoboVac series, your own robot vacuum cleaner controlled via the eufy app, and you’ll never miss a parcel (or unexpected visitor) again with eufy security cameras and doorbells. Life enhancements are more affordable than you think with a eufy discount code from Groupon, so take the plunge and reap the rewards of eufy’s clever tech.
iceland listed on couponmatrix.ukFounded in 1970, Iceland have over 800 locations in the UK and have an additional 50 stores in Europe, Malta, Libya and (ironically enough) Iceland. The supermarket won the Best Online Supermarket award in the Gold Grocer Awards 2017. Want to save big on your next shop? Grab an Iceland promo code and start filling that cart! More and more customers are buying their frozen groceries from Iceland online, saving money and time on all of your supermarket essentials!
master-of-malt listed on couponmatrix.ukIf you’re after a tasty tipple, make a beeline for Master of Malt. It’s the perfect place to find a range of delightful drinks, from fine whiskey to cocktail ingredients and everything in between! Make the most of a Master of Malt discount code to save on your next stock up. This is the perfect place to find a gift for someone who enjoys the finer things in life - spoil them with a tasting set, personalised bottle or rare find that they’re sure to enjoy.
tyre-shopper listed on couponmatrix.ukGet reliable and affordable tyres when you buy through Tyre Shopper. They have a huge selection, featuring 20 leading brands and promise to give you the best price around. Use your Tyre Shopper discount code on budget, mid and premium tyres to suit whatever vehicle you use. They cover all car, van and caravan types as well specialist winter and summer tyres so you’re prepared for anything. Get out and drive with confidence with Tyre Shopper.
udemy listed on couponmatrix.ukBuild up your skills with a brand new online learning course from Udemy. With more than 80,000 courses to choose from in a range of subjects stemming from the arts to AI technology, your brain will be bulging with knowledge and facts to share with friends. Use an Udemy discount code to make a saving on your next e-learning programme and start ticking off those bucket list skills you’ve been wanting to learn today!