The beauty of traveling the world and staying in new places is that you get to find new parts of yourself as you create memories that will never fade. One of the proven ways that you can do this is to search for off-platform accommodation that you may not see advertised elsewhere. It’s about getting something exclusive, private, and homely with the click of a button, and before the crowd learns about the location.
The only problem is that moving away from booking platforms can introduce uncertainty and grey areas when it comes to the payment side of things. The good news is that we’re going to guide you through how to make secure bookings so you can enjoy real peace of mind.
Verify before you book
You want to make sure that what you see is what you get, and that’s perfectly understandable. Once you find a villa that catches your eye, the next thing to do is be proactive in terms of learning more. Take some time to research the villa and its owner by looking for any listings or digital footprints on other platforms. You’re looking to make sure the information out there in the public domain is consistent and in-depth. You’re also looking for any online reviews from verified users.
Focus on red flags
If you can’t find any information or if the information often seems incomplete or self-contradictory, this is a red flag that all may not be as it seems. In addition, if you find that the price you are being quoted by the villa owner is out of alignment with similar properties in the same location, be wary. And finally, be concerned if the villa owner or operator is unwilling to show you around the place, whether that be via virtual tours or additional photos that you may choose to request.
Clarify key details
Communication is what it’s all about when you want to be able to book a luxury villa privately, and that means you need to feel comfortable with your point of contact. Avoid unsolicited messages and unverified links sent via email in favor of established messaging channels and direct phone calls. Given the rise of scams that work by impersonating legitimate people and businesses, this has never been more important.
You should also expect to get all of the booking details and payment terms clearly laid out in writing, just as you would if you booked via a booking platform. If something has been omitted or isn’t clear, don’t be afraid to ask for it to be clarified and included — no legitimate villa owner or operator will object to you doing so.
Double-check payment details
Scammers and cyber criminals will look to take advantage of the fact that no one wants to miss out on their dream vacation. They will impersonate legitimate villa operators, apply pressure to prospective customers, and attempt to force them into sending money to a different bank account. The solution is to combine a little extra knowledge with the specialist skills of an international money transfer service that will enable you to track the status of the payment.
Start by checking the payment details that you are being sent to confirm that they are correct. There are two key things here: IBAN and SWIFT codes. The IBAN is the unique international number for the villa owner’s bank account. The SWIFT code is what their bank uses to communicate with every other bank in the world to make sure the money is sent to the right place. If you’re booking a villa in Melbourne, for example, a simple check that the code you’ve been asked to use follows the expected format of an Australian SWIFT code will provide an additional layer of protection. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification and ultimately be prepared to walk away — there are always more beautiful places to stay out there.
Keeping yourself safe
The more information you can record, the more you will be able to protect yourself should something go wrong. Screenshots of private listings and backed-up copies of booking details will both help you double-check that everything is as it should be. Not only that, but you should also consider how you heard about the private villa in the first place. If you heard about it from a friend or relative, that’s one thing, but if it landed in your junk folder with a link that, on reflection, looks suspicious, that’s something else entirely.
Even when you find something that feels like a dream come true, take a moment to slow things down and step back so that you can see the big picture. If you do, you’ll be able to keep yourself safe so that you can enjoy the trip you have always wanted.
