Why it matters:

Getting a receipt for travel services

Consumer Protection BC licenses and regulates travel agents and wholesalers in the province. If you are booking travel, always do business with a licensed travel agent and always get a receipt. By law, there is very specific information that must be in the receipt.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

It’s the law. According to the Travel Industry Regulation (one of the regulations we oversee), this information must be on your receipt: • The date • Your name and address • The amount you have paid and any outstanding balance • A description of the services, including the dates • Itemized cost of the services • The conditions for reimbursement of the money you’ve paid The name, address, phone number and licence number of the travel agency (If applicable) a statement that payment will be deposited into a trust account

WHY IT MATTERS TO YOU

1. The information is necessary to make a valid claim to the Travel Assurance Fund. In BC, the fund is a possible source of compensation when you don’t get the travel services you paid for. You need to provide this information to validate your claim.

2. It’s important to know what to expect if something goes wrong. Knowing when you can (and can’t) get a refund helps you make informed decisions.

3. It reduces the risk of misunderstanding. A list of each service and its cost makes it clear what you can expect and what will be delivered by the travel agent.

4. A visible licence number gives you basic assurances. To get their licence from us, businesses must follow certain laws. So, when you see a valid licence number on a receipt, it means that the business has met their legal requirements. The licence also tells you that the business is periodically inspected and who to contact if you have a problem (us).

If you have a question or concern about one of our licensed businesses, please don’t hesitate to contact us. About Consumer Protection BC We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use all the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option.