With consumers collectively spending billions of dollars annually for travel and tourism, far too few know what their legal "rights and obligations" are before making their travel-related purchase, which can render them vulnerable—even to severe unforeseen legal consequences.
While the intricacies of travel law are vast, here are a few key considerations to help road warriors and vacationers avoid—or appropriately deal with—travel trouble:

Ensure your travel agent is legit. Before booking, ensure your travel agent or agency is compliant with state requirements. While 'seller of travel" regulations vary from state to state, many require registration, fees and compliance with some financial security regulation or statute. Some states even have specific laws for the regulation, registration, or bonding of sellers of travel, so it’s important to know if your agency is adhering to such requirements.

Leverage available support resources. Purchase travel with your credit card rather than cash or a debit card. Under U.S. law, credit card holders have the right to request a "chargeback,” essentially a refund, on their accounts for travel services that are not delivered as promised. Of course, the credit card company must agree that your situation is chargeback-worthy.

Find out if your state has a restitution fund. Seek out travel-related consumer advocate groups. The California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund (TCRF), for example, compensates consumers who purchased air or sea travel, either alone or in conjunction with other travel services, from a registered California travel agent, and who did not receive what had been promised. Those believing they are eligible to receive compensation can submit a claim with the organization for consideration.

Consider travel protection. Protecting large travel investments and property with a travel protection plan can insure you against possible supplier default, bankruptcy, medical evacuation and treatment, cancellations and other such vacation disruptions. Just be sure you purchase travel insurance from a reputable provider—one that is NOT self-insured lest their shortcomings become yours.

Heed TSA regulations. If you mistakenly pack a "prohibited item" in your carry-on bag, you could be assessed a TSA fine up to $10,000! Carrying certain prohibited items could even result in both a