The New York Times this week published an insightful article on a scam travelers should be alert for: The fake hotel website.
The article documents how Elvira Schawlow of Ridgefield, Conn., was planning a trip to her native Italy. She clicked on what looked like a link to the hotel, but later discovered the link that Google had served up to her first was not the hotel’s site, but a third-party site that charged her an insane markup over the hotel’s normal charges. Her stay, which should have cost less than $5,000, ended up costing her $16,559.
If you Google the name of the Phineas Swann Inn & Spa, for example, you may get our direct website (PhineasSwann.com). But you might also get a site that takes you to Expedia, or Booking, or Priceline, and then you’re no longer booking direct - you’re paying a third party and often paying more than if you’d gone to the site you thought you were getting. Some of these parties are reputable. Many, like New England Inns & Resorts, will actually forward you to our direct site. But some are clearly cons, trying to fool you into thinking you’re dealing directly with us. We’ve had several guests arrive only to find they spent a lot more than if they’d booked directly. In worst case scenarios, there are scammers out there who will take your money, and then when you arrive you find you have no reservation at all!
So how do you protect yourself? Here’s three tips to make sure you’re not overpaying:
Look at the URL at the top of your web browser. If it says only “PhineasSwann.com, then you’ve got us. If you see another name, or our name and some other site name (such as phineasswann.guestreservations.com) then it’s a fake site masquerading as ours.
Avoid “Sponsored Results.” If your search shows a link with this phrase beside it, rest assured it’s a site that’s paid Google to show up ahead of our legitimate site.
Use AI chatbot sites and tools to help you. Asking ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI search engine “Take me to a direct link for the hotel and avoid third-party sites” will usually get you to the right website. Keep alert, however - companies are trying hard to game AI results as well.
Need to make a reservation right now? We promise you, this one will get you where you want to go: PhineasSwann.com