10 Sneaky Airline Scams That Could Catch You Off Guard (And Cost You Big)

Air travel can be challenging at the best of times. Crowded airports, long wait times, and the constant fear of delays or canceled flights make it even more so.

And now there’s another stressor: sneaky airline scams that deceive even the savviest travelers hoping to save money on travel or just looking for support. According to a 2023 Transunion report, airline ticket and other travel-related fraud rose 117% from 2022 to 2019.

Knowing how these fraudsters operate is the first line of defense. Here’s an overview of some of the most rampant scams and how to steer clear.

Who would ever call a fake customer service center, you scoff. But when stressed or anxious, our cognitive function declines, making reading harder. Our comprehension, focus, and discernment plummet.

Imagine your flight getting canceled, and you desperately need to get home. So you search Google for customer service. The top featured result shows the company name, logo, and a legitimate-looking number.

You may call that number in panic mode at a cramped, noisy airport. These pros create fake websites and phone numbers that appear legit. Instead of using Google, call directly from the airline’s website or log into the airline’s app. You can also talk to a ticketing agent at the airport directly.

Scammers have turned social media into a hunting ground for stressed travelers. They lurk on platforms like X, monitoring complaints about delays.

Disguised as customer service agents, these fraudsters use fake airline profiles with convincing logos to reach out. They may offer to assist with rebooking, but their real goal is to steal your information.

To avoid this scam, scrutinize social media accounts. Legitimate profiles typically have a verified checkmark and significant follower counts, while fake accounts often have little to no activity and few followers.

This is another common scam associated with the myriad OTA (online travel agent) sites like Expedia or Travelocity. Once you begin booking on a third-party fraud site, the price will creep up, and you’ll see all sorts of fees emerge from the digital woodwork.

Scammers pressure you to act quickly to avoid missing out, preying on your sense of urgency and desire to save money. Avoid this trap by booking through well-known, reputable booking platforms or directly with the airline.

Fraudsters posing as airline reps may contact you and claim you must pay additional flight fees. Almost always, these are entirely fabricated. Rarely would an airline legitimately contact you to charge more for a ticket you’ve already purchased.

If you receive a phone call like this, hang up and call the airline or travel agent directly.

Unfortunately, scammers are also duping travelers into paying excess luggage fees.

Let’s say you book a Priceline flight to San Juan via Delta. A fraudster who finds your information could phone you and say Priceline had the wrong airline luggage guidelines. Would you like to pay the $39 fee now so you won’t be charged a $99 last-minute fee at the gate?

Even if OTA was mistaken, it’s highly improbable they’d call you as a follow-up. Hang up the call and check the airline's luggage policies directly.

Everyone loves a free upgrade. Scammers know this, and they exploit this intrinsic greed by sending phishing emails offering complimentary upgrades and rewards.

Not traveling anywhere? Sure, you can smugly delete these messages — but if you have booked a flight and then get an email from the airline asking if you’d like a complimentary upgrade to first class in exchange for taking a short customer survey, you might be tempted.

After you take a very legit-looking survey, you’re asked to provide the credit card number and name you used to book the reservations so they can confirm your ticket and make the upgrade.

Always log directly into your airline account — through the app or website — or call the airline to check these so-called freebie emails.

If you’ve ever received a call claiming you’ve won a free vacation, chances are it was a scam. These robocalls often promise too-good-to-be-true deals and then request payment for “processing fees” or taxes. The fee may be small so that they can gather your credit or debit card information.

Once you pay, the prize disappears. Avoid engaging with unsolicited calls offering prizes. Legitimate offers rarely come without prior entry. It’s best to hang up and research the company independently.

Bargain-hungry customers frequently book flights on different airline sites to get the best deal, making it harder to differentiate real sites from the bogus ones.

The fake ones mimic legitimate airline or OTA sites and lure travelers with enticing deals. They may even send a phony confirmation email after you’ve “booked.”

Before you provide any information, verify the website's legitimacy. Look over the URL, double-check the spelling of the domain name, and look for other red flags, such as spelling errors, blurry third-party icons, or poor design. Also, make sure it’s a secure website that starts with an “https://” and has a padlock icon next to the address.

While this sounds obvious, if you’re panicking about rescheduling, you might quickly book it on Delta Airlines, even though the official name and spelling are Delta Air Lines.

Some fraudsters send fake cancellation notices with links to rebook your flight. These links lead to phishing sites built to harvest your information. Or, they may text you a phone number to call and prod you to give them the credit number used to make your reservation.

Again, always contact the airline or travel agency directly. Do not respond to unsolicited requests for payment or sensitive information.

Some ticket websites lure travelers in, only to claim their credit card was declined after collecting payment information. Victims are then urged to use non-reversible methods like wire transfers or gift cards, losing money, and sensitive details.

To stay safe, verify a site’s legitimacy through trusted sources like the BBB or book directly through the airline's official website.

Staying calm and informed during a flight cancellation can protect you from scammers eager to exploit your stress. 

Take a moment to breathe and resist the urge to make snap decisions. Instead, call the airline directly using the contact information on its official website or app. While waiting on hold, get in line at the airport to speak with a gate agent.

Additionally, explore the airline’s app or website for rebooking features. If you have lounge access, consider speaking with a representative there, as lines are often shorter. 

Being proactive, patient, and polite can help you avoid wasting money and emotional bandwidth while securing the best alternative travel arrangements.