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Planning A Spring Break "Get-A-Way"? LINCOLN - The lure of a warm vacation spot may sound good to many of us this time of year. Many college students are planning ahead to a spring break from their class schedule and that traditional "get-a-way" to a warm and sometimes exotic location. Before signing up for that far-away vacation package being offered by a fellow college student, make sure you know all of the conditions of the trip. Every year at spring break time, the Consumer Division of the Attorney General's Office is contacted by students who signed up and paid for vacation packages that they were told included a flight to their vacation destination on a specified date, only to be disappointed when no plane was available for the flight. When these students examined the conditions of their contracts, they found, in the small print, a clause that said the out-of-state travel agency had the right to postpone the departure flight by as many as 3 days without any advance notice. These students were left stranded in airports far from home with no provisions for food or overnight lodging. If you are considering a spring break vacation package, here are a few things to consider to help avoid becoming a stranded, disappointed traveler: Deal with an established travel firm. If the person offering the travel package represents an out-of-state travel firm, or a travel company with which you are unfamiliar, check with the local Better Business Bureau or contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division to be sure there have been no complaints against the business. It is always a good idea to check with local, established travel agencies to see if they have a comparable offer. Know what you are purchasing. Read the contract you will be asked to sign before you agree to purchase a travel package. It doesn't matter what the representative told you the trip included, if it isn't in the contract, it probable won't be provided. Check to see if the travel company has the right to change departure date without prior notice. Ask about the "conditions" of the travel contract. In the event of a change in plans, you could end up paying for a trip you never take, so be sure to ask about cancellation provisions. Find out exactly what the price of your vacation package covers - and doesn't cover. If the sales representative cannot give detailed answers to these questions, this may not be the deal for you. For more information about this or any other consumer issue, contact: Attorney
General's Office
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