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.
Tip: Contact the hotel and confirm your booking as soon as you’ve booked. You can contact the hotel via the phone number provided in the listing.
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.
Tip: Double-check your information and ensure that you’ve selected the correct dates before booking your hotel through SuperTravel to avoid any hassles later on.
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.
Tip: 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.
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.
Tip: 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, etc.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Whenever I make a reservation through a third party,
And, even though, it says non refundable, I’ve always been able to get a refund with Booking, Priceline, Hotels, Expedia, Agoda, Vio.
But with Super travel, they send you through hoops in hopes that we’ll just eventually give up.
Hi! I booked a hotel using SUPER and now I am waiting for a refund (that they confirmed will take place). It is taking forever and I’ve already called them several times. Is there someone else I can reach out to? they just keep telling me they will “ask for a follow up status” to their colleagues, thanks! Betina
I will NEVER book any other reservation thru Super Travel….even thou you pay the $17.00 for the 100% refund, the terms and conditions make it nearly impossible to get your refund. It does not cover for changing dates, changing your mind, finding another place closer, or anything like that. Big Rip OFF!!!
What you see on their website is *not* what you get. The only reason they’re still operating in my opinion is lack of consumer protections. *I* could create a website that takes people’s money and doesn’t promise an actual reservation or service. I guess that’s not illegal? Super Travel took my money for a hotel room that wasn’t available and refused to refund me. I slept in my car.
Everything your are describing Is correct accept that they resell wholesale bookings made by companies like Expedia. They purchase these at a discount and resell them. Super Scammy is what they should change their name to. Now they want to sell insurance and banking services? I think regulators should look into this.
Just trying to get a receipt for our stay, can you please help?
I booked through Super Travel Dada Suites in Rome, arriving 10min after at the hotel. There was no one at the hotel. I called Super Travel immediately and two agents tried to reach out the hotel, also unsuccessfully. That alone should be enough for a refund. The invoice and payment proof of another place I had to second pay to sleep the night were demanded and sent to Super Travel. All sorts of problems were brought up by Super Travel to deny refund. Summarizing, it’s a SCAM by all means. Reservation B_10415569.
Don’t ever book through Super Travel. I booked a room and had roaches crawling on me, but Super Travel is not willing to communicate with the hotel when the hotel is willing to refund my money. I’m taking both to small claims court.
My hotel was taken over by the Governor of New York for asylum seekers and my reservation was canceled. Supertravel never notified me of this and I only found out the day of the reservation because I called the hotel to inquire about something before I left my house (the hotel told me that all guests and third parties were issued refunds). I tried calling Supertravel and couldn’t get a live person. I was forced to file a dispute with my credit card company in order to get a refund.
I will never use supertravel I booked a hotel online when I showed up it was a house renting a room I was so uncomfortable and it was creepy I left and they refuse to refund my money !!!
They are a scam!!!!! When I arrived at the hotel there was confusion regarding the booking, I was charged an additional $21.52 being an Intl Transaction Fee which did NOT show on my receipt only shown on my credit card statement. Nowhere did I see that there was this additional charge. Keep right away from this Super Travel group. They sound cheap but expensive in the long run.
I’ve used super trouble and it’s been good and bad. The issue was a super travel the issue is the hotels. Since they are a third party, sometimes the hotel does not want to give out that pricing. When it comes to refunds and reservations, it is what it is. You’re getting a great deal. You need to pay for the Cancellation. I have saved tons of money with supertravel and i’ve only had one refrigerator was it able to get, but but It turned out to be a priceline issue, i’m not sure priceline owns these guys. And we have to be honest In traveling and staying in hotels, I’ve found out. The hotels only want 3 to 4 online third party services. They want super travel out because of the deals. Now, if you plan on keeping your reservatiand make sure your hotel accepts super travel, then you should be okay. But there’s a conspiracy at hotels against Super travel, The deals are too good, and hotels have told me they’re not making money with super travel, so they refuse to take bookings sent through super travel, so you have to call to make sure your booking is being placed or that the hotel will take super travel bookings, Choice hotels is one conglomerate that is starting to refuse to take super travel bookings. It’s just too good, These hotels at choice conglomerates want no less than eighty dollars per night. Now if you find a separate hotel And you can confirm that it takes super travel take the deal. But make sure you keep your reservations. And hotels are starting to have the same price point as your expedia’s, hot wires, priceline, Hotels are not giving away deals. They’re trying to eliminate their party purchasing and many of them are not accepting multitudes of third parties, not just super travel.
No doubt this company is a scam. I made a reservation in Valcouver using SUPERTRAVEL. They charged my credit card the full amount and when I ariived at the hotel there was no reservation at all. And they do not refund me. And also they do not answer my emails. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!
This is a SCAM be warned!! they will take your money and give you the runaround and the hotel will not have any idea who you are.
Well I booked a room with them two days ago they gave me a confirmation number I called the hotel and they said no they don’t have anything and that all those travel places only takes 2 hours and I told the hotel it’s been 2 days and then when I called the travel agency they said that I had the wrong confirmation number which was printed out and told me they would give me another one which they never gave me and then told me that they would have to get it and either email me or call me with it they couldn’t give it to me right then and there, so I will call the hotel again tomorrow and check
Hi Donna, can you please share what happened with your booking in the end?
They are a scam. They said they cover room and fees. The HOTEL also CHARGED the fees. They give you a low price that they make up and then they add non existent fees. THEY ARE A SCAM
I feel this company in his scam! Experience the worst from this company, during my reservation trying to Find a hotel stay with reasonable prices. Never once did I see there was be a fee of a deposit. Only aware that there will be a resort fee which was only $17.00 Once I arrived at my chosen hotel I was told that I would have to pay a $125
deposit as well. After explaining that I was totally unaware I was guaranteed a refund from the hotel as long as the travel agency would make a call to the hotel.To confirm. After calling several times and getting the same response from different agent team members, I find myself going in circles and became very frustrated. This company had no intentions of fixing the issue. They only give you false intentions that you will be refunded. Was told that I would have to pay an extra $30 to get a refund credit. It back to my card which I found very ridiculous. Then the representative that I was speaking to told me that she would contact me in 45 minutes and I waited and she’d never return my call I. Pleaded with them that I was traveling with small children and if they could expedite my situation and pretty much we were thrown under the bus and never Assisted. do not rent from this company you will be very disappointed. and played for a Fool this company is a joke and it should be reported to the better business bureau.
I reported them to the BBB yesterday. Anyone that has been scanned really need to turn them in.
For months now I am contacting Super to transfer back my credit (I received because they cancelled 3!! bookings). No chance. The support chat team pretends to do something but in the end nothing happens ever. Probably it’s a fraud – tactic of them, just keeping the money.
As the hotel is booked, They take the money from credit card and they don’t pay the hotel. So, the hotel charges because they have not been paid. ( that’s what hotel told me). Basically, it’s a double charge. stay away from this company. book from a reputable website. Their low prices are just to attract customers and do the same trick to their customers. When i called the hotel, they said the supertravel didn’t provide a virtual card number and on the other side when I called the supertravel, they said that they paid them. It is just a game that hotel and this website play so that you would get tired of pursuing your money that is stolen by the hotel and this app.
Booked a Hampton Inn room through Super Travel. When we arrived, there was no reservation. They sent me across the street to a lesser hotel with no pool, no breakfast. They HAD my reservation. Contacted Super Travel….still waiting for callback. This seems like fraud
I used Super Travel one time. Worst experience ever. Based on my experience I recommend you use someone else.
Super Travel is not a legitimate business. You cannot trust that your reservations will actually be made (mine were not, although I had confirmation documents) or that they will assist you at all in refunding your money or finding other accommodations for you as a result of their errors. I was literally stranded at night in Mexico on my own. I strongly recommend NOT ever using this service.
Super Travel overbooked a hire that was full. The employees said they told all third party booking sites they were full for the weekend and they had several people show up, including me, even though they did not have any rooms available since early in the day (May 27, 2023). Trying to get a live human and a refund is a painstakingly slow process.
Super Travel is total crap. Their cancellation policy requires you to cancel days in advance. They give you credits if you book on their app, which is not functional, and then you waste time trying to claim credits because none of the hotels actually apply to the credits. A total waste of time and money.
Please take my advice and DO NOT USE SUPERTRAVEL!! I have to travel with my daughter because she has brain surgery and Supertravel charges for 2 rooms and does not refund you! They are a Gimmick!!
I hope your situation got better and most of all, I hope your little girl is doing great. I am also waiting on a refund. Did you ever get your $ back? I call them frequently and they keep answering the exact same rehearsed words.
Never again!!! Made a mistake on the date immediately called to change date and they refused! Do not book with this company. Spend a bit more go through Booking.com or Expedia they make it right!!!
I was excited to find this price for a 3 night stay. Unfortunately, my daughter is in the hospital and not doing well. I cannot even call the hotel to cancel my reservation, although I know I will lose my money.
I have used Super travel since the beginning of the Pandemic and book hotels through them at least 3-4 times per month. I’ve had a couple of problems with bookings which caused problem when i tried to check in and they were resolved. They has earned the right to not 100%. Booking is easy and reliable and their pricing beats other sources 98% of the time for quality properties. And what you see on the site is what you get. The pricing can increase as the day moves forward but they remain a good deal. If you sign up you receive $ credit that you can apply on your next booking. There is an issue between syncing between my desktop and cell phone versions. but not an interfering issue. I am affiliated with only myself and I give my experience with them a 98.5% approval rating. I had to give them this shout out when i read the blog. T hey give me flexibility and choice in managing my hotel needs. Thank you !
Also some of the hotels advertised on super travel have not given their authorisation to have their rooms sold on that platform
Do these things that you advise to beware of apply to any other booking sites?