As Black Friday and Travel Tuesday grow into major global travel shopping events, authorities are urging tourists around the world to be extra cautious. Every year, millions of travelers search for irresistible discounts on flights, hotels, and holiday packages. Yet the season also attracts a rising wave of sophisticated fraud, particularly in international travel bookings made online.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has recently shared new insights highlighting the worrying number of victims of travel scams during the 2024 discount season. The agency reported that UK consumers lost £11 million to holiday fraud in 2024 alone, with London facing the highest losses at nearly £2.5 million. Other regions heavily hit include the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and Hampshire.

For global tourists preparing for winter escapes, city breaks, or long-haul holidays, these figures carry an important message. Black Friday offers excellent opportunities for discounted travel, but travelers must approach every deal with caution. This article provides a complete guide to understanding these risks and navigating holiday sales safely—no matter where in the world you are booking from.

Why Black Friday Makes Travelers More Vulnerable

Travel fraud increases during Black Friday for several reasons. The first is urgency: travelers often feel pressured to act fast when they see limited-time offers. Scammers know this and design deals that appear incredibly attractive, offering luxury trips at prices far below market value.

According to the CAA, many fraudulent websites closely imitate well-known brands. They use convincing images, logos, and layouts to appear legitimate. Fraudsters frequently ask for bank transfers, a major red flag, because once the money is sent, recovery options are extremely limited.

During peak sales periods, even experienced travelers may overlook basic checks because they are swept up in the excitement of finding a great bargain. This makes it more important than ever to follow verified safety guidelines.

Essential Black Friday Travel Fraud Protection Tips

The UK Civil Aviation Authority emphasizes three essential steps, all of which apply to global tourists—not just UK residents. These recommendations are based on consumer protection mechanisms used by governments and regulators.

1. Verify ATOL or Local Equivalent Protection

ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) is a UK-based financial protection scheme that guarantees support if a travel company stops operating. Travelers booking holiday packages through ATOL-certified companies are eligible for refunds or assistance in getting home.

For global travelers:

• ATOL applies to bookings made with UK travel companies, even if you live abroad.
• If booking from another country, check for your local equivalent scheme, such as:
  • EU Package Travel Directive (Europe)
  • U.S. Department of Transportation consumer protections
  • Canadian Transportation Agency regulations

Always look for official license numbers and cross-check them on the relevant government portal.

2. Use a Credit Card for Added Protection

The CAA encourages travelers to use credit cards because they offer strong financial protection. Under Section 75 of the UK Consumer Credit Act, travelers can request reimbursement from the card provider if a company fails to deliver the promised service.

Similar protections exist worldwide:

• U.S. credit card chargeback rights
• European Consumer Credit Directive protections
• Canada’s chargeback rules under major banking networks

Credit cards also allow travelers to dispute fraudulent charges, something bank transfers do not support.

3. Purchase Travel Insurance Early

Travel insurance protects tourists from sudden disruptions such as:

• flight cancellations
• medical emergencies
• missed transport
• lost or stolen baggage
• hotel closures
• company insolvency (if included in the policy)

Buying insurance at the same time as booking ensures coverage begins immediately, protecting travelers throughout the entire journey timeline.

Red Flags Travelers Must Never Ignore

Global authorities, including the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Europol, and national consumer agencies, have identified common warning signs:

• Prices significantly lower than all competitors
• Websites asking for bank transfers or cryptocurrency payments
• Spelling mistakes in the website address (fake URLs)
• Vague contact information or unverified phone numbers
• High-pressure language like “only one room left” on unknown websites
• Unsecured payment pages lacking “https” encryption

Tourists should always slow down and spend a few minutes verifying each detail, especially during holiday sales.

Although the UK has issued one of the most detailed warnings, many global authorities have also raised concerns about Black Friday scams. Here is a country-by-country breakdown to help tourists stay safe wherever they travel or shop for deals online.

France

France’s Ministry of Economy and cybersecurity platform Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr warn consumers, including visitors, about a rise in fake merchant websites during Black Friday. These imitation sites often use slight variations of popular brands. French authorities also emphasize the risk of phishing emails and fraudulent SMS messages promoting deals that redirect users to unsafe websites. Tourists are encouraged to cross-check website authenticity and read the small print before entering payment details.

Germany

German cybersecurity teams report a sharp increase in Black Friday-themed spam and phishing messages. Many fraud attempts impersonate large retailers, including international online platforms. Travelers in Germany should be especially cautious when receiving emails that request password changes or claim to offer exclusive deals. Authorities recommend using only official retailer apps and avoiding clicking on promotional links sent via email.

Spain

Spain’s National Police and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs regularly issue Black Friday advisories. The most common scams involve fake discount ads and fraudulent online shops that mirror the branding of real Spanish retailers. Tourists should confirm whether a company has a verified web presence and avoid sites with no clear return policies. Spanish authorities also stress the importance of using secure payment platforms to avoid the theft of personal financial data.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) and local police have been tracking an increase in fake webshops created specifically for Black Friday. Many of these sites promote misleading “was/now” pricing structures to lure shoppers. Travelers visiting the Netherlands or booking Dutch services online are advised to check for authenticity badges, review ratings from trusted platforms, and report any suspicious website directly to Dutch authorities.

Italy

Italian security experts have noticed a surge in malicious email campaigns and fraudulent domains connected to Black Friday promotions. These websites are designed to capture sensitive information or install harmful software on devices. Tourists booking travel in Italy should stick to well-known booking portals and avoid clicking on unexpected promotional links. Italian agencies remind the public that legitimate companies do not pressure customers into immediate payments via untraceable methods.

Travelers worldwide can enjoy the benefits of Black Friday and Travel Tuesday by following simple, practical precautions:

• Compare prices across several legitimate platforms.
• Avoid paying by bank transfer, money wiring, or cryptocurrency.
• Use only secure payment gateways with encryption.
• Research the company’s history and customer reviews.
• Double-check the website’s spelling and contact details.
• Save screenshots of all booking confirmations and payment receipts.

These steps help ensure that tourists do not fall victim to schemes designed to exploit the excitement of bargain hunting.

Black Friday has become an international phenomenon. With travel packages now sold worldwide through digital platforms, travelers from the U.S., Canada, Asia, Europe, and beyond are all exposed to the same risks.

Holiday scams do not target specific nationalities—they target opportunity. Anyone searching for a discount holiday can be affected if they do not take time to verify authenticity.

Tourists who follow government-verified guidelines place themselves in the best position to enjoy genuine savings without stress. After all, holidays are meant to be joyful, and smart booking practices help ensure the journey remains smooth from start to finish.

Black Friday and Travel Tuesday offer exciting chances to plan future adventures at reduced prices. However, the rise in Black Friday travel fraud highlights the need for caution. With losses reaching £11 million in the UK alone, awareness is essential.

By checking for ATOL protection, using credit cards, avoiding bank transfers, and staying aware of international warnings, tourists can enjoy the best of both worlds—affordable travel and complete peace of mind.

A few minutes of careful checking can protect your holiday, your wallet, and your travel excitement.

Stay safe this season, and may your next journey be filled with wonderful memories instead of unexpected surprises.