How do I know if a travel website is legit?

What makes a travel website authentic?

Authenticity and credibility are the two factors that most users often look for in a travel website for its flight bookings, hotel reservations, and other travel-related services. However, the biggest hurdle they face is that they do not know how they can verify whether a selected website is legitimate. If you are also facing the same problem, you have clicked on the right article. Please refer to the pointers below to learn about the factors that you must evaluate to verify the reliability of a travel website. Let's uncover these factors one by one:

• Customer Reviews: Evaluating the users' experience after using the products and services of the concerned travel agency is one of the most reliable ways to verify its authenticity. This is why you must go through the customer reviews to learn about the varied experiences of the users. Positive customer reviews indicate a higher legitimacy and make the website much more reliable for bookings.
• Secured Website: Before you start using travel website services for booking purposes, make sure to check whether they are "HTTPS Secured." This ensures that the data you provide is encrypted and cannot be breached by malicious parties. In addition to HTTPS Security, verify whether the website has the necessary licensing and accreditation from recognized industries, such as IATA (International Air Transportation Association) Certification.
• Website Interface: In addition to website security, the design and structure of the website also influence its credibility. Travel websites that feature a user-friendly, advanced, and efficient interface with clear structures and engaging designs are more likely to gain the faith of the users. Make sure to check whether the website has all the necessary sections, such as the privacy policy page, contact information, and others. Moreover, the website must not redirect you to any unwanted site.
• Customer Service: Genuine travel agencies not only aim to provide effortless travel bookings to users but also ensure that they do not face any issues in case of queries or issues accessing these services. This is why they provide a dedicated, knowledgeable, and cordial customer support team that addresses and resolves all kinds of consumer questions, grievances, suggestions, requests, and compliments.
• Agency's Transparency: The more transparent a travel agency is in its dealings, the easier it is to trust for flight bookings, hotel reservations, and other travel-related purposes. Please remember to check whether it accepts various payment modes, it states each and every clause in its policies, and the different kind of fees it charges for its varied services. You can easily trust a travel website that has all the formerly mentioned pointers because it ensures optimal transparency.
• Social Media Presence: A reliable travel agency not only communicates its services and products through its website but also relies on social media channels. Most travel websites comprise links to their networking sites that indicate their credibility. The agencies update the customers about their exclusive deals, the latest offers, and any changes in their existing policies and procedures through social sites. Moreover, you can go through the comments of their followers or reach out to them personally to inquire further.