Quantcast

Cruise passenger loses $3,500 after booking through fake travel agent

Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight
Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Delta named Official Airline Partner of Birmingham City Football Club
American Airlines to Cut These Routes to Las Vegas, Orlando, and More — Here's Why
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
Southwest wouldn't really start charging for bags — right?
JD Power ranked this Midwest airport as the best among largest airports in North America
Alaska Airlines Chief Plans More Routes After a Deal With Hawaiian
Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Cruise passenger loses $3,500 after booking through fake travel agent
Research
Webp b50wtm592y9yquyl5mp3mt1xfqgo
Gene Sloan Cruise team lead | The Points Guy

When L. Williams booked a Caribbean cruise, she believed she was dealing with a travel agent from Carnival Cruise Line. Unfortunately, the individual was a scammer, and it took five years for her to realize she had lost $3,500.

Williams enjoyed a weeklong cruise aboard Carnival Freedom in December 2019 without knowing of the impending issue. In 2024, as her family planned another Carnival cruise, Williams discovered that her reservation had disappeared from her account. After contacting Carnival, she learned that her name had been added to the "Do Not Sail" list because the previous cruise had been paid with a stolen credit card.

"I was stunned," said Williams. "The credit card used for payment was reported stolen after our trip." Despite being asked to repay $3,500 to Carnival, there was no guarantee of being removed from the list.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Consumer reporter and mediator Christopher Elliott explained that Williams made several mistakes when booking the 2019 cruise. Her first error was not vetting the travel agent who turned out to be unaffiliated with Carnival Cruise Line. Another mistake was paying for the cruise using Zelle instead of a credit card.

Elliott advised against using cash or instant money transfers like Zelle due to lack of purchase protection. He suggested researching travel agents and agencies before booking and emphasized using credit cards for payments to protect against fraud.

Carnival declined to comment on Williams' situation but stated that legitimate consultants would never request payment via apps like Zelle.

Elliott recommended checking agents' credentials through organizations such as the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) or Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). He also mentioned AAA's vetted professionals as reliable options.

In summary, thorough research and using credit cards can prevent vacation scams. Elliott offers assistance through ombudsman@thepointsguy.com for those facing similar issues.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The Lufthansa Group has announced a significant development in its efforts to harmonize status benefits for its frequent travelers.

Jun 24, 2025

Air New Zealand is set to enhance its trans-Tasman services with 1.7 million seats available between New Zealand and Australia from October 2025 to March 2026.

Jun 24, 2025

Long Beach Airport has commenced the third year of its Careers Taking Flight externship program, designed to provide high school students with practical exposure to aviation careers.

Jun 24, 2025

Emirates has resumed its regular flight operations following minimal disruptions on June 23.

Jun 24, 2025

Chase has entered the premium business credit card market with the introduction of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business.

Jun 23, 2025

Spanish airline Iberia is planning a significant expansion in the Americas, aiming to enhance its presence by adding more aircraft and routes.

Jun 23, 2025