Five ways to plan your winter vacation safely and economically

(NC)—Planning a winter vacation is almost as much fun as the vacation itself, especially for us heat-starved Canadians. If taking a winter vacation is on your to-do list this winter, here are some tips from the Canadian Consumer Handbook, produced by provincial, territorial and federal governments to help consumers make informed decisions:

Research your destination. Check out www.voyage.gc.ca from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to get critical information for Canadian travellers such as travel warnings and contact information for Canadian government offices abroad.

Choose a travel agent wisely. Travel agents can take a lot of the stress out of vacation planning. They often have access to information that many consumers don't, but be aware that not every province or territory requires that travel agents be licensed or registered. Ask if your agent has completed a training program, how much he or she has travelled, how many years the company has been in business and if the company belongs to a professional association.

Protect the payment you have made. When you are paying in advance for a trip, think about how your money is protected in case the travel agent or one of the travel suppliers that are part of your package (e.g., airline, hotel or resort) goes out of business. Some, but not all, provinces have programs that protect your prepaid money in such cases. Also, if you pay by credit card, your credit card provider may be able to offer some protections against services that are not supplied.

Be careful when buying travel online. Many of the issues described above about travel agents also apply to buying online. Before you buy, think about how reputable the company is, and what the protections are in case some or all of the services cannot be provided. Also note that an online company based outside of your province or Canada is not necessarily subject to the same regulations or requirements as a company in this country. As a result, it may be more difficult to obtain redress. Always read the fine print before you buy. Some offers might include significant restrictions on modifications or cancellations. Check with your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office or travel industry association about rules that apply where you live.

Identify your insurance needs. When you travel outside Canada your health care costs are not covered by provincial health insurance so make sure you obtain the right kind and amount of insurance for you and your family. Insurance may also cover things like trip cancellation and lost luggage so research the various policies.

Understand your role in safety and security. Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority have tips on passenger and baggage screening which you can find in the Canadian Consumer Handbook under "travel".
You can find these and other tips at www.consumerhandbook.ca. The online resource covers everything from travel and personal finances to housing and the environment.

Source:  www.newscanada.com