Want to enjoy your summer vacation? Tips to avoid headaches, scams

During the “school’s out” summer season, travel is a fun vacation activity. Fun, that is, unless unexpected expenses, cancellations, hassles and outright scams befall you.

Fortunately, there are ways to lessen the likelihood that any of these unwelcome intruders will spoil your family’s summer getaway. Here is advice from the Better Business Bureau for vacation planning.

Car smarts

Whenever possible, consider having your car checked over by a mechanic if you’re going to use it for any sort of extensive road trip. It’s highly recommended that you look up the garage you’re considering at bbb.org. There you’ll find BBB Business Reviews to give you some idea about their reliability.

Also important is a vehicle safety kit containing a flashlight, extra batteries, a radio, first aid supplies and a set of jumper cables. An extra set of keys can save you the expense that locking yourself out of your car will cause.

Among the most important inspection points on your car are the tires and the battery:

▪ For the tires, inspect tread wear by placing an upright Washington quarter inside the tread. If all of old George’s head is visible then you know your tread is worn down to an unsafe level. The tire should be replaced. Tire inflation is important as well. Check your manual to find out the recommended pressure. Don’t inflate to the maximum pressure printed on the side of the tire itself.

▪ The battery should have clean terminals. If not, baking soda and water (and an old brush) will clean them off.

Car rentals

Many vacationers choose to rent a car for their travels. Last year nationally the BBB received over 9,500 complaints about car renting and leasing companies. These tips might keep you from having to do so:

▪ Shop around as different companies have differing rates. Stick with similar models when comparing so you have an accurate measure.

▪ Rentals are more expensive near airports.

▪ Make a quick check of your existing car insurance policy as it may cover rental car damage and render the purchase of any extra insurance unnecessary.

▪ Inquire about discounts if you’re a senior. Automobile club discounts are often available as well.

▪ Ask the representative for a precise final charge amount.

▪ Check for added-on fees. They could include a drop-off fee, mileage cap and a refueling fee. Some have extra-driver fees, return fees (if at a different location) and fees for accidents.

▪ Consider that the rental companies place a hold or block on your credit card (to be processed after you return the car, having met contract requirements). That may reduce your card’s spending limit and cause issues during your trip.

Other travel considerations

If the hassles and headaches of airplane travel haven’t driven you to drive instead, here is some advice:

▪ A good travel agent can still make your trip less cumbersome. Agents bring a level of expertise to the process that can save you much distress during your trip. USA Today reports that there is a new emphasis on advocating for the customer instead of airlines, resorts and hotels among travel agents. Especially for trips that involve multiple flights, an agent’s expert knowledge is helpful. When something goes wrong during your trip, a call to your agent can untangle the confusion. But use bbb.org to look up any travel company you’re considering.

▪ Travel insurance could come in handy, but may not be necessary. Check with your medical and homeowner insurance policies to see what they would cover during travel.

▪ Unsolicited “You’ve won a trip!” emails or texts should be taken with a grain of salt. It’s probably a scam or at the very least an undesirable offer that covers you in red tape.

This story was originally published June 23, 2017 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Want to enjoy your summer vacation? Tips to avoid headaches, scams."