How to Avoid Scams When Booking Flights Online
- time2fly06
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
We all love the idea of scoring a cheap flight deal online but sometimes, what looks like a great offer turns into a costly scam. From fake travel websites to stolen card details, flight booking scams have become more common, especially in regions like Uganda where digital literacy is still growing.
At Time2Fly Tours & Travel Ltd, we’ve met many clients who came to us after losing money to online scams. The truth is, these scams are sophisticated, convincing, and often happen fast. But with the right knowledge, you can stay safe.
Here’s how to avoid getting scammed when booking your next flight online.
1. If the Deal Looks Too Good to Be True — It Probably Is
You see a flight from Entebbe to Dubai for $99? Sounds exciting, right?
Unfortunately, these ridiculously low fares are often baited to steal your personal or card information. Scammers create fake websites or social media ads offering cheap flights to attract desperate buyers.
Real tip:
Compare the deal on trusted sites like:
Google Flights
Expedia
Official airline websites (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, etc.)
If the price difference is extreme, it’s probably a scam.
2. Book Through Verified Websites Only
Always check if the booking website is secure and legitimate.
How to know it’s real:
It starts with https://, not just http
It shows a padlock icon 🔒 in the browser
The web address is spelled correctly (e.g., qatarairways.com, not qatair-airways.xyz)
Also, avoid clicking on booking links sent through random WhatsApp messages or Facebook inboxes. Most real agents don’t do business that way.
Be Cautious with Social Media "Agents
Many fake travel agents operate on Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp, offering “special ticket prices.” They might use stolen airline photos, fake e-tickets, or screenshots to look legit.
Once you send them money they vanish.
What to do instead:
Ask for their business registration, physical office, and landline.
Google their company name.
Check for real reviews/testimonials.
Meet in person if possible.
Time2Fly, for example, is a registered and physically located agency in Kisaasi–Kanja, with a clear online presence and contact details.
4. Don’t Pay Before You See a Confirmed Itinerary
Real travel agents or platforms generate a booking itinerary (with a reservation code or PNR) before asking for full payment. If someone demands payment without providing any details — that’s a red flag.
Also, confirm the itinerary on the airline’s official website using the booking reference.
5. Avoid Paying Through Personal Mobile Numbers
Scammers often ask for payments via personal numbers or untraceable methods like mobile money registered under private names.
Safer payment methods:
Registered company numbers
Bank transfers to company accounts
Visa/MasterCard payments via secure online systems
At Time2Fly, all payments go through a registered line tied to the company name for transparency and traceability.
6. Beware of Fake e-Tickets
Some scammers send fake e-tickets after receiving payment. These tickets might look real at first glance, but they are either:
Don’t exist in the airline system
Were generated from canceled bookings
Are screenshots from someone else’s ticket
You can verify ticket authenticity by:
Checking with the airline directly using the PNR or ticket number
Logging into the airline’s “Manage Booking” portal
7. Work with a Registered Travel Agency
One of the best ways to avoid scams is to book through a licensed travel agency. A good agency will:
Offer secure payments
Provide real-time ticket tracking
Support you in case of changes or cancellations
Advise you on visa rules, baggage limits, and travel requirements
At Time2Fly, we do all that and more, so you travel stress-free.
Final Advice
Scammers target people who are rushed, desperate, or uninformed. The best way to protect yourself is by being patient, informed, and cautious.
Whether you're booking your first flight or your fifth, take the time to confirm who you're dealing with.
Don’t lose your money trying to save it.
Time2Fly Tours & Travel Ltd
Location: Kisaasi – Kanja, Kampala, Uganda
WhatsApp/Call: 0783 084 521
Email: time2flytravel06@gmail.com
Instagram: @time2fly06
Real tickets. Real travel. Trusted agency.
Explore The World, Traveling is knowledge.
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