If you plan to book a package to the Feb. 7 Super Bowl in Florida, your Better Business Bureau advises that you make sure you get what you pay for.
Every year consumers report scams when purchasing Super Bowl packages. The most common scam? The package doesn’t include tickets to the game!
U.S. Department of Transportation consumer protection rules require any operator marketing a Super Bowl air package that is promoted as including game tickets have the tickets in hand or have a written contract for the tickets before the operator advertises the package.
If a game ticket is not specifically mentioned in advertisements or other solicitation materials or listed as a tour feature, the ticket is probably not included in the travel package. DOT’s rules state if a tour is described as including a game ticket and you do not receive one, you are entitled to a full refund of the entire package upon your return.
Your BBB also advises:
• If you are considering a travel package, verify what is and isn’t included in the package and get it in writing. Once the package is purchased, request a written confirmation and verify that there are no discrepancies.
• Deal with a reputable local company that has a track record with super bowl game packages and ticket sales. Check them out with the BBB at
wynco.bbb.org.
• Always pay for the package with a credit card. It’s easier to dispute charges and get your money back.
Consumers can file complaints about Super Bowl tours that advertise tickets but do not provide them by contacting the Aviation Consumer Protection Division online at
http://airconsumer.dot.gov, the FTC at
www.ftc.gov and with the BBB at
wynco.bbb.org.
Don’t go a day without your BBB. Follow us on
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LinkedIn. For more consumer information or to check out the
BBBlog, visit
wynco.bbb.org or call 970-484-1348 or 800-564-0371.
About the BBB
The Better Business Bureau, founded in 1912, is a champion for ethics and trust in the marketplace. Only businesses that meet the high BBB standards are invited to become BBB Accredited Businesses. Today, 128 BBBs across the United States and Canada rate more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities with scores ranging from A to F. Only a BBB Accredited Business may elect to participate in BBBOnLine, one of the most trusted and recognized Internet seal programs in the world.
The BBB serving northern Colorado and Wyoming reported nearly 1 millions instances of service in 2009. These services include reliability reports on local companies and charities, access to companies that can be trusted by industry, help with dispute resolution, and trustworthy information on consumer and business topics.
Barbara Read, VP Communications Director, 970-488-2035, bread@wynco.bbb.org
