Group trip - how do I safeguard my money?

MustangSally

I'm thinking of joining a group of people going on a 2 week visit to the US next June. We're all members of a club but not necessarily close friends who hang out.

The guy arranging the trip has done a number of smaller trips (weekend trips to the Continent) and has a good reputation for operating really well thought out thoroughly researched interesting trips.

I always book trips with reputational companies and on credit cards and minimise the risk wherever I can. Whereas now it's a case of handing over a non-refundable cash deposit now, with the balance (over £3k) 8 weeks before the trip.

What questions do I need to ask him to find out how secure my money is likely to be? I need to educate myself with your help please before I decide whether to book or not!

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give.

dzug1

I'm not sure you can safeguard your money.

Is he using an established travel agent or tour operator to run the trips? If so money he pays over to them should be safe enough. If he's arranging everything himself then you just have to trust him - both in terms of competence and honesty - or not go.