When making Reservations

When making reservations for accommodation, most travelers may prefer being close to amenities such as supermarkets, bus terminals/stops, train stations, tourist attractions etc.

Point 1:

When searching for your accommodation, make sure the number of persons for the accommodation remains unchanged in the filter. Some sites automatically switches the total to 2 persons even though you have updated it to 3 or 4.

Point 2:

When entering your details on the selected accommodation, make sure what you entered remain as they are. Some of these booking sites can be extremely unscrupulous and waiting prey on unsuspecting travelers for their amending reservations.

If after selecting an accommodation (usually apartments or houses), it requires you to write briefly to the owner about your trip to the City (not required to provide any personal details), I would suggest that you do not place all your hopes in securing this reservation and search for another accommodation as a standby. The owner is only given 24hours to write back if they will approve your reservation and if that lapses, it is considered as no reservation.

Point 3:

Make sure the final price for your booking is itemised and reasonably priced. Some places make it seem like you are going to live in a palace or a gold mine where they charge enormous fees for cleaning. It is not that you pay what you see. There can be hidden costs and make sure you check and re-check your confirmation.

Point 4:

Current technology can either make you or break you. There is an algorithm behind the payment information which determines that you have entered valid credit card details – the Expiration date and CVV security code must match the credit card number and vice versa.

Point 5:

Make sure your Host knows how to count! If the reservation is for 3 persons, tax should be for 3 persons. If the final charges only include tax for 1 person at €15 and when you write to clarify, the host attempted to charge €100 instead of €45. Simple thing to do, run! Better staying elsewhere than to deal with unscrupulous opportunists. You do not need more dramas before and during your travel.

Point 6:

Attempt to touch-base with your host. If they offer alternative method of communication such as WhatsApp, accept it. It is for your own good than to rely heavily on the messaging feature of the booking site.