Spontaneous short vacations are trendy in summer. Especially when only a few accommodations are left, time pressure can quickly build: the offer looks good, the price seems cheap and the deposit is supposed to be transferred immediately. It's worth taking a short pause before paying. Some checks take only a few minutes and can prevent a lot of trouble.
Don't open the listing only through the link
If an accommodation appears via an ad, message or social network, also search the name yourself in the browser. Do the address, phone number and photos match other sources? Is the accommodation also listed on a well-known platform or on the tourism board's website?
Fake listings sometimes use photos of real holiday apartments. A strikingly cheap dream accommodation is therefore not proof of a bargain. Watchlist Internet especially warns against advance payments to supposed travel agencies or landlords who only appear via a recently created website.
These details must be clear before booking
- full name and contact details of the landlord or company
- exact address of the accommodation
- travel dates, number of people and the booked unit
- total price including cleaning, local tax and other fees
- amount and due dates of deposit and remaining payment
- cancellation and withdrawal conditions
- arrangements for the security deposit, key handover and late arrival
Verbal commitments by phone should also be confirmed in writing. That way it can be traced later what was actually agreed.
Don't be rushed about the payment method
Be particularly cautious if the full amount is supposed to be transferred immediately, the account holder doesn't match the landlord, or communication suddenly shifts from a booking platform to a private messenger. The European Consumer Centre advises against paying the full price in advance, especially if an unusually large immediate discount is promised for doing so.
If possible, use the platform's payment method. Do not enter card details via links in messages. If a bank account changes after booking, confirm it via a previously known contact channel and not via the new message.
Read reviews correctly
A high star rating alone says little. More helpful are several reviews from different months with concrete details. Very similar wording, exclusively overenthusiastic short texts, or many reviews on the same day can be a warning sign.
Look specifically for recurring points: cleanliness, noise, actual location, parking availability, kitchen equipment and the landlord's accessibility.
Compare the total costs with your holiday budget
In addition to the nightly rate, there are often a final cleaning fee, local tax, deposit, parking, bed linen or electricity. Add up these items before paying. An apparently cheap offer can therefore become more expensive than accommodation with a higher but all-inclusive price.
Save the listing, booking confirmation, proof of payment and messages as PDFs or screenshots. In case of problems, these documents are more important than the memory of a phone call.
The five-minute check before 'Book now'
- Search for the provider and address independently.
- Read the total price and cancellation terms.
- Compare the payment recipient with the contract partner.
- Do not accept payment outside the platform.
- Save the documents and the listing.
If a central piece of information is missing or you are being pressured to pay immediately, another offer is usually the better decision. Even for a spontaneous trip, reputable landlords must allow time for reasonable questions.
Caution
- Daily holiday budget: keep additional costs in mind
- Checking into the holiday apartment: what families should check after arrival
- Prepare your travel folder before departure
Sources and further information
- Watchlist Internet: fraud in holiday bookings
- European Consumer Centre: fraud with fake holiday apartments
Article image: AI-generated symbolic image.
