Is Super Travel Legit? (Beware Before Booking)

Last Updated: March 1, 2023

SuperTravel (previously SnapTravel) might have caught your eyes with its irresistible hotel deals and user-friendly interface. 

But, as a savvy traveler, you know that the best deals sometimes come with hidden costs or risks of losing your hard-earned money.

So before you click on that “Book Now” button, let me uncover the truth: Is Super Travel legit, or is it just another scam waiting to happen?

Let’s dive right in!

Is Super Travel Legit?

Super Travel is certainly a legit online travel agency as it has been in business for several years and featured in The New York Times. However, the risks of issues associated with booking through SuperTravel are high as compared to booking directly with the hotel.

Although problems can occur even with booking directly with the hotel as well, the chances are much lower compared to booking through SuperTravel.

Here’s why:

SuperTravel basically acts as an intermediary between you and the hotels.

Being a middleman, SuperTravel collects your payment and is responsible for your booking, not the hotel you booked with since your contract is not directly with them, it is with SuperTravel.

Therefore, the hotel isn’t liable to help you directly if something goes wrong.

In case something odd happens and you need any help, you will have to contact SuperTravel and then they will reach out to the airline you are booked with and then SuperTravel will get back to you.

Since an intermediary is involved between you and the hotel, you’re most probably going to be stuck in a lot of back-and-forths between the hotel and SuperTravel.

And this makes the whole process of resolving your issues a bit more complicated and your issues take longer to resolve.

In the same way, making changes, cancellations, and getting a refund becomes more complicated when your hotels are booked through SuperTravel since a middleman is involved.

So that’s why the risks associated with booking through SuperTravel are high as compared to direct bookings with the hotel.

Now if we talk about the risks/drawbacks associated with booking through SuperTravel, here are the major ones:

1. Reservation Issues

Booking a hotel through SuperTravel comes with the risk of not having your reservation.

Sometimes SuperTravel fails to notify the hotel about the guest’s reservation, resulting in no reservation or overbooking for the same room.

While at other times, the hotels also “bump” those guests who have paid the least through an online travel agency like SuperTravel and resell it to someone who has paid more directly.

And upon the arrival of the guest at the hotel, they deceive them by denying the existence of their reservation.

2. Making Changes Are Generally Refused

Another potential risk associated with booking a hotel through SuperTravel is that making changes to your bookings is generally refused by them even if the hotel agrees to the amendments.

3. Under Any Circumstances, Refunds For Non-Refundable Bookings Are Generally Refused

If you opt for a non-refundable booking through SuperTravel, do not expect any refunds from them no matter what circumstances may arise that affect your travel plans and even if the hotel you’re booked with is willing to offer you a refund.

4. The Standards of The Hotel Are Out of SuperTravel’s Control

Another risk/drawback associated with booking through SuperTravel or any other online travel agency is that the standards of the hotel are out of their control since they are a 3rd party booking service.

So if the hotel you booked through SuperTravel does not meet your expectations or it is not as exactly as shown in the listing, unfortunately, you can’t do anything.

Do not expect that you’ll reach out to SuperTravel and they will refund you, book you with another nearby hotel, or anything else.

Similarly, do not expect refunds directly from the hotel since they are not liable for your booking.

In a situation like this, it is quite possible that SuperTravel may push things onto the hotel, and the hotel’s staff may turn around and push things back on SuperTravel, leaving you stuck in the middle.

Therefore, you’ll have to accept the hotel as it is.

So these are 4 major risks associated with booking a hotel through SuperTravel. However, you can minimize these risks by following the tips mentioned above.

Having said that, let’s conclude: Is Super Travel legit?

While it’s true that booking through SuperTravel carries high risks, including those mentioned above, but as far as its legitimacy is concerned, it is indeed a legitimate company.

SuperTravel has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, TechCrunch, and dozens of other press outlets.

Such well-known media outlets probably wouldn’t feature SuperTravel if it were a scam.

Moreover, SuperTravel’s parent company, Super.com, has been in business since 2016 and it is a fact that scam companies don’t survive this long.

On top of all that, SuperTravel got funded by Stephen Curry, the greatest basketball player of all time.

If SuperTravel were not a legit company, why would such a well-known basketball player invest his money in a scam company?

By taking these few major factors into consideration, we can’t deny that SuperTravel is legit.

Apart from being a legit platform, it often offers cheaper rates than booking directly with hotels.

So, Should You Book Hotels Directly or Through SuperTravel?

Well, it depends!

If the price difference between booking directly vs. through SuperTravel is the same or not substantial then there is no point to book your hotels through SuperTravel.

However, if the price difference is significant then it mostly comes down to personal comfort level.

Personally, I recommend SuperTravel only if:

• You’re tight on a budget.
• The price difference between booking directly vs through SuperTravel is substantial.
• You are pretty much sure that you won’t change or cancel your hotel for a refund.
• You’re willing to take the risks associated with booking through SuperTravel.

Besides these conditions, you must be following these tips:

1. Confirm your reservation: As soon as your hotels are booked through SuperTravel, confirm your booking to avoid any nasty surprises when you arrive at the accommodation.
2. Ensure that your booking details are correct: Double-check your booking information and ensure that you’ve selected the right dates for your stay to avoid hassles later on.
3. Research about the hotel: Thoroughly research about the hotel you’re considering for your stay to avoid any nasty surprises when you arrive at the property. Look for reviews, amenities, photos of the hotel and its rooms, etc.
4. Choose refundable bookings if there’s a chance that your travel plans might change, it’s advisable to pay a little extra and choose a refundable booking option when booking through SuperTravel.

So that’s it from my side!

Have any questions or want to share your own booking experience with SuperTravel? 

Please feel free to let us know in the comments below.