DuPont, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks are headed to Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, making The 12th Man’s quest to attend difficult and expensive. And while many Washingtonians have given up on scoring tickets to the Hawk’s second Super Bowl appearance, thousands will be making the cross-country trek just to cheer on their team.
The New York Times estimates that approximately 400,000 people will descend on the greater East Rutherford area during the week of the big game; Better Business Bureau warns that scammers will likely be targeting these out-of-town fans.
BBB reminds travelers to be wary of too-good-to-be-true deals on airfare, boarding and event passes:
· Read the fine print. Just because a travel package has “Super Bowl” in the name doesn’t mean it includes tickets; if game tickets are not explicitly mentioned in ads, do not assume they are included.
· Understand the law. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires sellers to have tickets in-hand before they can advertise inclusive ticket/airfare packages.
· Pay with credit. Credit card companies usually provide more time to dispute fraudulent charges; never wire money for tickets or hotel stays.
· Research hotels and locations. Dishonest businesses may advertise that they are close to the stadium or “walking distance” when in fact they are not, requiring extra expenditures for car rentals or taxis.
· Get everything in writing. Before making payments, make sure contracts clearly outline all the terms and conditions of packages, including cancellation policies and related fees.
Never feel pressured to make immediate decisions; always take time to research travel plans and businesses at bbb.org/search.