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This travel scam is so good it’s fooling frequent fliers and travel pros

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BEACHWOOD, Ohio — Scammers are targeting an industry in high demand right now.

“You get to go away to these beautiful destinations and locations and leave the bills, the kids, the dogs, you know, all your responsibilities at home,” said Dawn Scadlock, Flite II Travel.

That escape is what we all love about vacations, right?

Bad actors are swooping in to take advantage of those emotions, and I’ve learned that travel is becoming a hot target for scammers.

One frequent flier is sharing her story on the scare tactic used to shake her down for cash ahead of her vacation.

The excitement of a planned girls’ trip was unexpectedly stripped away from Michele Smolin.

“I got a message, an email that my trip had been canceled, my flight had been canceled. The email looked legitimate, gave me a number to call, ” said Smolin.”

In a panic to find out why, Smolin called a number for the airline she found online.

“I called, and they answered, and they knew everything about my flight,” said Smolin.

The person on the other end of the phone told Smolin she had to pay $285 to be rebooked on her original flight.

“And of course, I didn’t even question it because I was just desperate to go on this trip.”

With that credit card payment, Smolin thought she was good, but when she couldn’t print her boarding pass ahead of her flight she went to the ticket counter where the agent shared this message.

“We will never, you know, cancel your flight, and we will certainly never charge you for rebooking,” said Smolin.

It was the moment Smolin realized she had been scammed.

“Not only am I a frequent flyer for business, I’m also an attorney, so I’d like to think that I have a good and clear eye,” said Smolin.

It’s a reality check that travel agent Scadlock also shares.

“I hate to admit it, but I got scammed too. I was rushing. My clients were stuck somewhere, and I Googled the airline,” said Scadlock.

Scadlock thought she was dealing directly with the carrier and paid $265 to change flights.

“I felt so stupid because, you know, here I am, the travel expert, and I got scammed. Luckily, my clients, you know, denied the charges and claimed fraud, and they weren’t charged,” said Scadlock.

I learned that’s one of the many ways travelers are getting duped.

“The biggest one, I think, is fake websites,” said Scadlock.

Consumer Alysia Beeler got caught up in a copycat website while scrolling through social media.

“They may look like the real deal, but it’s really not,” said Beeler.

Irregularities in the URLs, with a missing letter or two, or a dash where there shouldn’t be one tipped Beeler off.

“So, I went around that, did some fact checking for myself and found out, like, this doesn’t look right, you know, and it gave me apprehension,” said Beeler.

A minute of verification kept her credit card information out of the hands of crooks.

“I was easily duped,” said Smolin.

Smolin was in for yet another surprise after using her credit card to pay for that bogus flight change fee.

“Well, the credit card company said since I confirmed my credit card number with the scammers that they would not cover it as fraudulent. I mean, you do feel dumb about it, but they’re so sophisticated in the methodologies that they use,” said Smolin.

We’ve talked about this before, but remember the psychology of the scam.

In Smolin’s case, they used panic to get her to pay.

If approached with a stressful situation, unexpectedly, take a step back and breathe.

It’s all about playing with our emotions and the desire to solve a problem quickly, especially a financial one.





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Travel Blue amplifies Gen Z focus; explores in-store expansion across APAC

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July 8, 2025

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A major focus for Travel Blue this year in Asia Pacific travel retail is dialling up its focus on Gen Z, as the company continues to work closely with retail partners to explore expanding its spaces in stores across the region.

Speaking to TRBusiness at the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference in May, Travel Blue Managing Director Daniel Levin explained how he believes the opportunities for in-store space expansion reflect a growing consumer demand for more affordable and practical purchases.

“Specifically, we see trends becoming less luxury and more reasonably priced, with value for money and high quality,” he said.

“People work hard for their money. They want to spend it on something that will last them longer and something also to self indulge – something for them to use while travelling.”

New to the Travel Blue assortment is a range of affordable, lightweight, high-quality backpacks in vibrant new colourways (priced at €59-€99).

Plus, there’s the ‘memory collection’ of pins, patches and pillows, aimed especially at Gen Z who want to collect memories while travelling.

Hit play to find out more…

Travel Blue occupied a larger-then-usual stand at TFWA Singapore this year in order to accommodate its growing travel accessories collections.

The Travel Blue range also includes on-board luggage, hot-cold water bottles, ergonomic neck pillows and essential electronics, such as cables, adaptors and chargers.

READ MORE: Travel Blue to arrive at TFWA Singapore with larger stand to present ranges

READ MORE: Travel Blue to show Memory Collections range for Gen Z at TFWA Singapore

READ MORE: Travel Blue joins forces with CDFG to bring latest pop-up to Hangzhou Airport





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Women, transgender Delhiites to get free bus travel with new ‘Saheli Smart Card’

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July 8, 2025

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News Desk

08 July 2025, 08:49 PM IST

Delhi launches Saheli Smart Card for free DTC & cluster bus rides for women & transgender individuals aged 12+.

Delhi Transport Corporation buses | Photo: AP

New Delhi: The Delhi Government is preparing to launch a new digital travel pass called the ‘Saheli Smart Card’ for women and transgender persons in the capital. Scheduled for rollout by August 15, the initiative is aimed at offering free rides on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses to eligible beneficiaries aged 12 and above.

The upcoming smart card system will replace the current pink ticket method and will function under the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework. A senior official confirmed that the card would require activation via the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS). “EOI in papers for empanelment of banks for this purpose has been issued and hopefully it will be rolled out by 15th August,” the official added.

Registration and KYC mandatory

To avail of the Saheli Smart Card, beneficiaries must register through the DTC portal and complete Know Your Customer (KYC) formalities at an authorised bank. Required documents include Aadhaar, PAN, proof of residence, and a passport-sized photograph. After registration, the card will be delivered by post. In case it is lost, a duplicate can be requested. Though travel will be free under the scheme, banks may levy a nominal service charge for issuing the card.

Background and impact of the pink ticket scheme

The pink ticket initiative, which the Saheli Smart Card will now replace, was introduced on October 29, 2019, by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to promote safer and more accessible public transport for women and transgender individuals. Introduced during the Bhai Dooj festival, the scheme has had a significant impact.

“In 2022, free travel for women via Pink tickets contributed to nearly 32 per cent of the total number of passengers travelling in a month,” a source stated.

Delhi’s public transport ridership, which stood at over 160 crore in 2019-20, declined sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. It dropped to 71 crore in 2020-21, with a slight recovery to 93 crore in 2021-22. “Since April 2022 till today, it has reached nearly 125 crores, almost 75 per cent of the pre covid numbers,” according to a statement.

Political backlash

Despite its popularity, the scheme has not been without criticism. On March 29, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the AAP-led Delhi Government of mismanaging the programme. The party claimed that the free bus travel scheme and the broader operations of the Delhi Transport Corporation had resulted in a staggering financial loss of ₹70,471 crore.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Emirates Unveils First Dedicated Travel Store in Osaka, Enhancing Customer Experience with Personalized Service and Innovative Features

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July 8, 2025

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Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Emirates Unveils First Dedicated Travel Store in Osaka, Enhancing Customer Experience with Personalized Service and Innovative Features

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Emirates has officially launched its first-ever dedicated travel store in Japan, located in the heart of Osaka’s vibrant commercial district. This landmark opening marks a significant milestone for the airline as it further strengthens its presence in Japan, offering enhanced services and a personalized experience to customers in the Kansai region. The store aims to bring Emirates’ renowned hospitality even closer to its loyal customers, providing them with an exclusive space for travel planning and expert assistance.

The grand opening ceremony was attended by key figures, including Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President of Passenger Sales and Country Management at Emirates. The ceremony was honored by the attendance of Mr. Hirofumi Yoshimura, the Governor of Osaka Prefecture, alongside H.E. Shihab Alfaheem, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Japan. The ceremony also saw the participation of senior Emirates management, along with esteemed guests and media partners.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nabil Sultan highlighted the significance of the new store: “Japan is a vital market for Emirates, and today’s opening reflects our commitment to building even deeper connections with our valued customers and partners here in the Kansai region by bringing our products and services even closer to them. The opening of our first retail store in Osaka is a reflection of our customer-first philosophy and we’re confident that this space will enable us to engage in more meaningful ways with the Japanese community.”

A Modern Space for Travel Enthusiasts

The Emirates Travel Store in Osaka spans 110 square meters, strategically located in one of the city’s busiest areas, making it easily accessible to both local and international customers. This dedicated space provides travelers with the opportunity to plan their journeys with the assistance of Emirates’ multilingual team. Whether it’s flight bookings, travel advice, or curated itineraries, the store ensures that each customer receives personalized service tailored to their needs.

The store’s design reflects Emirates’ commitment to luxury and comfort. It boasts a modern aesthetic, featuring soft beige lounge chairs and sleek, contemporary furnishings that provide a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere for travelers. The warm and inviting environment is further enhanced by the presence of dedicated travel consultants, ready to offer expert guidance.

Innovative Features for a Seamless Experience

The Emirates Travel Store integrates advanced technology with a self-service kiosk, enabling customers to effortlessly handle bookings and travel inquiries on their own. Additionally, the store introduces a personalized Queue Management system designed to streamline customer flow and minimize waiting times, ensuring a hassle-free experience. For those looking to capture memories, a selfie mirror featuring stunning backgrounds from popular Emirates destinations adds a fun and interactive touch to the store’s offerings.

The Emirates Osaka Travel Store is designed to cater not only to the Japanese market but also to the diverse international clientele who frequent Osaka. The store’s multilingual staff is equipped to provide assistance in several languages, ensuring that visitors from all around the world can easily access the airline’s services.

Expanding Connectivity Between Japan and the World

Emirates has long been committed to providing seamless connectivity between Japan and its global network. The airline operates daily flights to Osaka Kansai, Tokyo Narita, and Tokyo Haneda, offering travelers enhanced onboard products and retrofitted aircraft across its entire Japanese network. This expansion is a testament to Emirates’ dedication to meeting the growing travel demands of Japanese customers.

The new travel store in Osaka serves as a reflection of the airline’s ongoing efforts to enhance its customer experience in Japan, with a focus on offering personalized services, innovative solutions, and a seamless journey from booking to arrival. The store’s opening is expected to attract both new and loyal customers, offering them a closer connection to the world-class service that Emirates is known for.

Visit the Emirates Osaka Travel Store

The Emirates Travel Store is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a break between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. The store is closed on weekends and public holidays. Located at 3-2-2 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka, the store provides an ideal space for customers to engage with Emirates’ knowledgeable staff and receive the assistance they need to plan their travel.

Emirates’ new Osaka store exemplifies the airline’s commitment to providing exceptional service to its customers in Japan, offering them a dedicated space to explore the world with personalized attention and care.



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