Finding out that the apartment you rented and paid for online is not available once you get there certainly puts a damper on a trip that may have started out great with the purchase of cheap airplane tickets and cheap auto rentals. An increasing number of tourists are renting apartments and homes via the Internet.
There are many legit deals on Craiglist and many well known Internet rental sites, including VRBO.com, Homeaway.com and nyhabitat.com It is possible to stay at a luxury apartment or home for a fraction of the cost you would pay for a luxury hotel.
Advantages include picking your residential neighborhood, checking out photos, and sometimes evening speaking to the owner in advance. Frequently maid service, washer/dryer, pools or beaches are included.
The problem is that there are charlatans operating who take tourists money for non-existent rentals. The following are suggestions that should be followed to help avoid being taken advantage of:
Ideally rent from a company or homeowner that uses a website that looks legitimate and has many user reviews.
If you are renting directly from the homeowner, speak to that person on the phone, ask several questions and do your best to verify the address and who really owns it.
Usually the renter of an apartment or house will ask for a deposit or full payment in advance. By paying with a credit card (even if the renter charges you an additional 3 percent to offset credit card processing fees) you will usually be protected by your credit card company if it is a scam and you pay no further out than 60 days prior to your intended stay.
The safest practice is to pay in cash on arrival, though owners typically refuse because of concern about no-shows.
www.cheapfares.com