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Protection when booking accommodation abroad

Bluestar87
Bluestar87 Posts: 4 Newbie
Hi everyone, just hoping for some sagely advice when booking accommodation abroad...

I'm off to Rome in a couple of weeks (a bit last minute) and most of the accommodation still available and not eye wateringly expensive is in small B&B type set ups, usually 1 floor of an apartment building that has been converted into 5 or 6 bedrooms.

The majority of these places, whether booking them direct or via Booking.com etc take your credit card details via their website or email, charge say 50% deposit with the remainder on arrival, though again most say if you cancel at least 5 days prior to arrival they will refund you the money.

I'm probably being paranoid but it would seem to me a potentially feasible (though convoluted) was to scam credit card details. You do hear stories of people turning up and the accommodation denying ever having received any booking, or being closed down, or being vastly different to what was promised, or refusing to give a refund, or charging much more than was agreed etc. Apart from checking reviews online and communicating directly with the B&B to try and establish legitimacy, is there any protection should things go wrong to get your money back (travel insurance, credit card protection etc)?

Advice / opinions greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Comments

  • Can anyone suggest if there's a more appropriate forum to ask this question on, first time I've posted on here but might not be the right one? Thanks!
  • TheEffect
    TheEffect Posts: 2,293 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I've used Booking.com a lot and have never had a problem with them when giving my credit card details. Sorry I can't be of any more help than that. :)
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